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22X 


1 

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6 

leamBssatusBm 


LIFE 


o.ri 


>j:%.i: 


(THAYENBxiNEGEA) 


IK 


TSK 


I  m»  ^mttkm  §mMm 


-UAU.nAli,  :  ;    ■  ...UH:  AND  W^  ^ 


OFGINBHALS 


AND 


OTHlll  M.n"P®BS  CONNRrfTRP  irWH  fffK  INDIAN  RELATIONS 

OF  THt;  LNi'n;;.  ■    v  j-kh  ,ni>  great  britaim, 


nc^i 


IN  TWO  \OLUMKH, 

VO]..  IT. 


^LBANT,   N.  r.: 

#.  MU^ILL,  78'8TATE  l:'.  ..EET, 
^  1865. 


■r 


<■/ 


LIFE 


ov 


JOSEPH  BRANT, 

(THAYENDANEGEA) 


INCLUDING   THE 


S«to  mt»  Of  tilt  §,mfUm  §mlntm, 


AND 


SKETCHES  OP  THE  INDIAN  CAMPAIGNS  OF  GENEKAL3 
HARMAR,  ST.  CLAIR,  AND  WAYNE 


AND 


OTHER  MATTERS  CONNECTED  AVITH  THE  INDIAN  RELATIONS 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  AND  GREAT  BRITAIN, 

FROM  TUB 

PEACE  OP  1783  TO  THE  INDIAN  PEACE  OF  1795. 

BY  WILLUM  L.  STOKE. 

IN  TWO  VOLUiMES. 
VOL.  II. 


ALBANY,  N.  T.: 

J.  MUNSELL,  78  STATE  STKEET. 

1865. 


■ 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  1. 

Sullivan's  campaign  into  the  Seneca  country- Diffircnt  characterislics  amoncr  tha 

JNat  ons-1  an  of  tli«  campaign— The  coinit.an.l  .iOI.rcd  to  General  Gutes-Hi., 
condiict-Ciinton's  preparations  at  Canajoharie-Trnn^portation  of  boats  ar-d 
stores  across  to  Otsego  Lake- Arrest  anj  execution  of  Newberry-Alf^-nnts  to 
engage  the  Oneidas-The  Indians  alarmed  by  an  a.ldress  from  Gen.  Ilaldii' .and 
riin  n^^l      1  /     ='-?.u^  ■^'°"'  "'.•'  enemy-Arrival  of  Oneida   deputies  at 

C  nton's  head.T,arters--The.r  speech-Designs  of  the  enemy-Letter  of  Gen. 
Cinton  tohis  bro  her-Rernarkable  escape  of  Elerson  from  in  Indian  scout- 
B  ave  defence  of  his  house  by  Mr.  Shankland-Descent  of  the  Susquehanna- 
t?  KeL^trn%'ilf  „f  f  ""^^^-^""Ction  of  the  forces-MovementLin  Tioga 
to  rsewton-Battle  of  the  Chemung-Destruction  of  the  crops-A.lvanco  7o 
Fvi  1  n^"  t°wn-Message  to  the  Oneidas-Destruclion  of  Catharine's  town- 
Evidences  of  civilization-Destruction  of  Kendaia  and  Kanadaseaa^_\]„r,h 
fnoi  ??"?;.""""  ■'^'  d««J.^"<^"«"-Koneoye  deslroved-Melancholy  story  of 
-Con  nt  brothers-Kanaghsaws  destroycd-Horrible  fate  of  Lieutenant  Boyd 
-Contrast  between  the  conduct  of  Brant  and  Butler  in  the  case  of  Bovd-ln- 
dians  in  council  resolve  to  hght  no  more-Sullivan  advances  to  Genesee-Beauty 
nvln  «  r'"7~^u"'''"'  ''^^'t  •T'-"^ket-Origin  of  Brant's  hostility  to  him-SuU 
livan  sets  out  on  his  return-D.struction  of  the  Cayuga  towns-Return  of  the 
armv  to  Tioga— Strange  directions  to  Colonel  Gansevoort  respeclin^  the  Mohawks 
S  il  ivair"""  '''^'^'-^^r  -P'ure-Conespondenee-ThL  release_C  e  o 
Sw.„  '"'l'i''""A'T;"'r'  ""■'"2"«t"'n-Colonel  Bmdhead's  expedition  against 
I^^tf  T^i^^n  h^''«'''""y7^^''T  ","''  Sl^'^vanese  chief,  u'.eet  him  at  For 
year7  -       «f  eches-Severe  Indian  battle  on  the  Ohio-Closing  incidents  of  the 

'        '    ^ Page  1 

CHAPTER  n. 

Progress  of  the  war  in  the  South-Pall  of  CharleMon-Brilliant  achievements- 

marriage  of  Bant-lrrupt.on  into  Harpersfield-Captivity  of  CanfaTn  HarD-r 

Freegift  Patc.in  and  others-Conduct  of  Brant-ConLultation  whethTtom"  the 
pnsoners  to  death-Sacjacity  and  firmno.vs  of  Harper-Marched  ofTlbrKara- 
hemarkable  adventures  by  the  way-Murder  of  an  old  man-Curcof  tl  e  fevT; 
and  ague-A  thrihns  scene-Sufferings  for  food-Justice  and  mj  riality  of 
Brant-Approach  to  Niagara-The  ordeal-Huiunne  device  of  Braot  to  s"  ve  hfs 
prisoners  from  the  trial-Arnval  at  Niagara-Farther  irruptions  of  the  Ind  Ins- 
NiaJr""p^~^"'"'''""r^7'r"-^  of  Captain  Snv.ler  and  his  «on-Arrivn  at 
t^eaT  tTp  S'""L' vTP''^  i"''"'°"'  ^""'■'- '-'"''  Brant-Prisoners  sent  to  Mon 
p!i  r  n     '^°''Tn/?"';>:-Bravery  of  Solomon  Woodruff-Irruption  to  Little 

S  7,?"T'"?  n  pi"iV'',"'-  "'■'''•'"'^  °"  'he  Ohio-Bold  exploit  of  M'Con! 
nel-Attack  of  Colonel  Bird,  with  his  Indians,  upon  the  Lickin-  Settlemem- 
Colone!  Clarke  takes  vengeance  upon  the  ShawanLe.    -        .        oeitiement- 

CHAPTF.R  in. 


IT 


CONTBNT8. 


or  buildinrrg,  and  murders  of  aged  pcopli- — Dpstrnrfion  of  Cnughnnvvnga — 

Riliirii  to  Joliii.-im  ILill — PiucufdirijiM  tlien:— '1  Iioihiih  SuiiiiiKinn  ^sciipcs— Sit 
John  itiovcs  oil— Sampson  Ha'iiinoris  applies  for  liis  libiTty — His  spcfcli— The 
ojpjcct  of  llio  expedition— RrcovtTV  of  the  liuronet's  plate— A  hiilhlul  shivc— 
•Sir  John  returns  to  Montreal— 


Cliuracter  of  the  expedition 
Saiiiiiions  earried  into  captivity 


Imprisoned  ut  Cham! 


Jacob  and  l-'rtdeiuk 
ConHpiriicy  to  esciipu 


— Prisoners  refuse  to  join  them — The  brothers  esca()e  alone— The  piirnuit— Pepa 
ration— Journey,  i.dvtntnre.s  and  8uH"iriii>;s  of  Jacob  Sanimons— Arrives  at  Sclie- 
nectiidy— The  nurralivo  returns  to  Frederick— Perils  of  jiia  epciipt — Procpi  n/is 
coninienceinent  of  his  journey— DreiuKiil  sickness— Ilig  recapture— Confined  l. 
irons  at  Chainblee — Removed  to  an  Island — Projects  an  escape— Plot  di.-^tovered 
—Ironed  a<;ain— Second  plan  of  escape— Perilous  leap  into  tfio  St.  Lawrence— 
Swiiniiiinj;  the  Rapids— Other  surprisin;;  adventures,  by  flood  and  field— Cross- 
log  the  woods  to  Schenectady- Reinnrkabb'  '"'iltilmeni  ot  a  dream— Direct  history 
of  the  Mohawk  country  resumed- Des  .._..«..  of  Cnnajoharie  by  the  Indiuns- 
Conductof  Brant— Case  of  doubtful  courage Page  72 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Genera!  progress  of  the  War— Design  against  New- York— Glance  at  the  Sonlhrrii 
Campaign's— Treason  of  Arnold— Execution  of  Andr*— Indian  deputation  to 
Count  de  Rochambcau,  in  Rhodo  Island— Invasion  of  the  Schoharie-kill  and  the 
Molnwk  Vallies,  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  Brant,  and  the  Corn-planter— Surprise 
of  the  upper  fort— The  middle  fort  invested— Conduct  of  Murphy  in  firing  upon 
a  fla^— Singular  prosecution  of  the  siege — Murphy's  contumacy— The  flags  fired 
upon  thrice— Sir  John  proceeds  to  the  lower  fort— After  a  brief  halt,  advan- 
ces apnin  to  the  Mohawk,  destroying  every  thing  in  his  way— Murder  of  the 
inhabitants — The  Vroomans — Heroism  of  a  woman — Sir  John  arrives  at  Fort 
Hunter- Ravages  the  Mohawk  Valley— Battle  of  Stone  Arabia  and  death  of 
Colonel  Brown— His  character— Remarkable  anecdote  of  General  Arnold- 
Sir  John  proceeds  to  Klock's  Field — Is  pursued  by  Van  Rensselaer,  though 
with  unaccountable  dela^— Battle  of  Klock's  Field—Flight  of  the  Indiuns-- 
Strange  retreat  of  Van  llensaelner— AfTuirs  of  the  night— Secret  flight  of  the 
Greens  and  Rangers — The  pursuit — General  Van  Rensselaer  prematurely  re- 
linquishes it— Capture  of  Captain  Vrooman  and  his  company,  by  Brant,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Oneida— Touching  incidental  Fort  Hunter— Singular  story  re- 
specting the  Corn-planter — Major  Carleton's  expedition  against  Forts  Anne'nnd 
George— Correspondence  on  the  subject  of  prisoners — Affairs  at  Niagara- Set- 
ting in  of  Winter.        ........         -°.        98 

CHAPTER  V. 
Gloomy  opening  of  the  year— Distresses  of  the  army— Revolt  of  the  Pennsylvania 
line— Negotiations — Revolt  of  the  New  Jersey  troops— Arnold's  cxpedi'tion  to 
Vir<;inia — Prosress  of  the  war  at  the  South — Distresses  at  the  North— Active 
movements  of  Brant  in  the  Mohawk  country — Meditated  attack  upon  the  Onei- 
das — Letter  of  Colonel  Cluus — Destitution  of  the  country — Letter  of  General 
Schuyler— Destruction  of  Fort  Schuyler  by  fire  and  flood— Suspicions  of  desii;n— 
General  Clinton's  ';orrespondence  respecting  that  catastrophe — Hostile  indications 
in  the  North — Indications  of  extensive  treacluiry— Arrest  of  the  disafftef'd  at 
Ballston  and  its  vicinity — Bearing  of  Washington  in  adversity — Colonel  Willett 
nppoiifled  to  the  command  of  the  Mohawk  District — Slender  "means  at  his  dispo- 
sal—Burning of  Currie-town— Battle  of  Durlagh — Defeat  of  the  Indians — Death 
of  Captain  M'Kean — Irruption  into  Paliiline— Willett's  letter  to  Washington— 
Willett's  influence  upon  the  broken  mililia — Battle  near  the  German  Fhilts— 
Death  of  Solomon  Wondwortli — Story  of  John  Christian  Shell — Invasion  of  Ul- 
8ter  County  by  Indians  and  Tories  under  Captain  Cauldwell — Another  case  of 
individual  bravery — Incidents  on  the  Kentucky  border.  -        ■        -        137 

CHAPTER  VL 

Increase  of  disaff-ctinn  in  the  North — Seizures  of  prominent  citizens  by  hands  of 
loyalists  from  Canada — Captivity  of  John  J.  Bleecker— Plot  against  General 
Gnnsevoort — Daring  attempt  upon  General  Schuyler  in  the  city  of  Albany,  by 
John  Waltermever — Intrepidity  of  Margaret  Schuyler — Arrest  of  loyalists  at  the 
Beaver  Dams — IVIvsterious  movements  of  the  enemy  on  Lake  Chnmplain  — Con- 
irovcfFy  with  the  ISTcw-Harapshirc  Grants— Sketch  "of  its  origin— Outrages  of  ttie 


CONTKNTS.  m 

I 

ViTtnont  iiiwiriTRnts— Decliirntioii  of  Indopcndoncn  l»v  the  Ornnts— JntPrpoMilioi 

ol  Coni^rfsH— !is  milliority  (lHrij;;ir(li.iI— Proijrcss  ol  llio  ((iiitic.v.i^iy— Uilliciill 

Hitiiati.jii  nl  (Junur.il  Gan.tijvoort— .Suspt'ttcd  iiilcrtoiirs.;  of  tlio  V.  rriiuiitL-sc;  willi 

tli(; «  n.'iiiy— Li'trpr  of  GoviTrior  Clinton— Inv.ision  of  tlie  Molmwk  lountrv  by 

Aliijor  lu).«— VVurrci.a-busli  riivnucd— M,„ili  of  llii;  inicniy  to  JoliriHlown-Fol- 

low. (I  by  Wdlolt  Willi  tlio  l.vi.'s  iiiid  mililia— Uattl.;  of  Jolinstown— IIosm  drfnit- 

fd— Pnisiii'd  by  Will.tt,  nnd  roiit.'d  at  Jcrxcyliiid— D.iitb  of  Waller  N.  Bntjrr 

— f  tiMvni!  progress  of  tliii  war— Arnold  in  Viririnia— lltUnrns  to  tbo  North,  and 

(lcslroy9<irolonand  Now  London— Sio^'.j  of  Vorktown  nnd  capturo  of  Corn- 

wallH--A»rair.s  of  tb(!   Norlli— Muditatwl    trunch.'ry  of  Vcrinont— Mrsaago  of 

Gov.irnor  (Jlinton--BritiHliopcn  a  corrt'spoiidoncii  with  the  Vltm) /nt  insnr.'cnts— 

MiHsion  of  Irii  Alli'n  to  Canada— Sfparati.-  armistice  with  V.Tinont— Stipniationa 

for  urcutnig  Vermont  mio  u  royal  colony— Correspondence  with  the  enemy  dnrinf 

the  Snmnier— Negotiations  renewed  at  Skene»boroni;h— St.  Le<-er  asc.^n.ls  the 

lake  with  a  stron;;  force— An  iiwkwar<l  oecnrrence  tor  the  Vi^rmonleae— Excilc 

ment  at  too  scat  of  Government  of  the  Grants— Throwing  dnst  in  the  eves  of  the 

people— NewM  .jfihe  surrender  of  Cornwallis— Us  efflicl  in  Vermont— Cansc's  the 

biisty  return  of  St.  Lcirer  to  Canada— Insurrection  in  tlie  norlh-eastern  towns  of 

New-York,  m  connexion  with  the  Vernionteao— Troubles  of  General  Ganscvoort 

— U.iahlo  to  quell  the  insurgents— Cherokee  Indians— Close  of  the  year.    -     172 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Character  of  Joseph  Bettys— His  exploits— Capture  and  execufion— ProTRss  of  the 
war— Gradual  cessation  of  hostilities- Dwindlins;  .lownto  mere  affliirs°of  outposts 
and  scontin-;  parlies— Commissioriers  appointed  to  negotiate  a  treaty  of  peace- 
Indian  battls  on  theKenluckv  fronlier—Dcfealof Colonel  Boon— Destruction  of 
the  .Shawanese  towns-Ti.e  Moravians  on  the  iVIuskinguni-Their  removal  to 
Sandusky  by  the  VVyandots- Return  to  secure  their  crops-Invasion  of  their 
;awna  b.v  Colonel  Williamson- Treachery  of  Williamson  and  his  men  fo  Hv  In- 
1';;'"^— "'"■'■'•'le  massacre— Invasion  of  the  Sandusky  country  by  Crawford  nnd 
Wiliamson— Defeat  of  thcT  army-Colonel  Crawford  capiiired-Senteiiced  io 
(he  by  toiture-His  mtt^rview  with  the  sachem  AVin^cMiund-His  execution- 
Close  of  the  year— Doubts  as  to  n  treaty  of  peace-Colonel  Willett's  attempt  to 
surprise  Oswego— The  news  of  peace— Sufferings  of  Trvon  County— Return  of 
Its  population— End  of  the  wars  of  the  Mohawk.  .        .*     .        .        .        2IO 

CHAPTER  VIII, 

The  Treaty  of  Peace— Neglect  of  her  Indian  alli.-s  by  Great  Britain— Brant'i  ne<To. 
tialions  with  General  Hnldimand  for  a  n  ■  fwitory-TheSenecas  invite  the  iVfo. 
hawks  to  settle  m  the  Genesee  Vallev  ■  .-clined-Thn  Grand  River  country 
granted  to  the  Mohawks  by  Sir  Frederick  H.ldimnnd-Indian  policy  of  the  United 
States— Views  of  Washington  nnd  General  Schuvler— Treaty  with  the  Six  Na- 
tions at  Fort  Stan wix-Corn-planter  and  Red  Jacket  take  opposite  sides-Peace 
with  tlie  Six  Nations-Disaafisfaction  of  the  Indians-Of  Thayendane-ea  in  par- 
fieular— Letter  of  Brant  toColonel  Monroe-Relinqtiiahes  his  design  of  aoin^  then 
to  hn.iland— Returns  toGranl  River- Diff^.rencea  of  opinion  withSir  John  John- 
son-Brant sails  for  England  in  the  Autumn  of  1785— Hia  arrival— Glimpses  of 
us  ulterior  designs— His  distinguished  reception-Enters  upon  the  business  , 
his  rTiission— Letter  to  Lord  Sidney- Speech  of  Brant  to  Lord  Sidney— L-tter  of 
Lonl  Sidney  in  reply— auestion  of  half-pay— Brant's  Letter  to  Sir  Evan  Nenean 
-I  lis  nssociations  with  the  creat— Keen  sarcasm  upon  a  nobleman- Striking 
incident  atn  urand  masquerade-Brant's  attention  to  the  moral  wants  of  his  pec^ 
pie— Ilia  return  to  Canada '037 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Dimcuhies  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  aftei  the  Treaty— Re- 
r.sal  oi  the  former  to  surrender  the  western  posts-Mission  of  Baron  Steuben  to 
Cana.  a-Indieitiona  of  fresh  Indian  hoslilities-Movcmorits  of  Captain  Brant- 
Grand  Indian  Council  at  the  Huron  Village— Address  to  the  United  States— Let 
t^rof  the  Secretary  at  War,  General  Knox,  to  Captain  Brr.nt-Letter  of  Sir 
John  Johnson  to  Brant-Letter  of  Major  Matthews  to  Brant,  disclosing  the  views 
ol  Lord  Dorchester  respecting  the  retention  of  the  western  posts— Message  from 
f'l  '!"■"","«?  'n,  ^";  -^^"*""^  .P^"P"  i",?  nnofher  grand  Council-Preparations 
ot  Geueral  bt.  Clair  for  nesotiating  with  the  Indians—Brant  begins  to  distrust 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


Mnjor  M„ilhcuvH-l,..||,.r  of  UruMt  iii  fflj— Letritr  to  ColontI  M'Donti'  ll-Siis: 
|)|'tt((l  i-loi  ii-iiiiMt  iIh>  VmjiUkU  ut  D.itroit,  and  Drant  und  his  Moliinvk«,  l.v  llwi 
lIuio.H.  (,|.l|.|H•wa^  anil  Fottawnil.imii.g-Lctt.T  to  Brnnt  from  Sir  Join.  jf„l.r. 
noii-lJrrtiit  tiinm  Ins  uit,.,itioii  l,j  tlu'cultivalion  of  lultors— Endeavors  to  oht.nn  a 
"'"'•"'  Mi'"';',>i«;>0'--K'siin..'«  tlio  pr.-pnnilion  of  lUiliaJous  liwks-Ldt.r  rr.>in 
li<'»uli!nt\,,,hm— John  Norton— Land  dillioulties  among  Iho  Indians  in  ll,e 
•lutool  No\v.\ork--Lctlerrroin  Governor  Chnton  to  Brant.  -        -        2Gi3 

CriAPTEll  X. 

Cuntlniipd  trotiMc!!  with  Iho  Indians— F.njjiish  fmissarips  in  Kentucky— Mi.-aion 
ol  AnI.iino  (Jamrlui— Pr.piinitions  fur  war— Campaijin  of  G«nirHl  Harm.-n  — 
Succiw-iv..  d.l..ats  of  Colon.'l  Hardin— Condnct  of  tho  militia— Uctrnif  of  Har- 
mar— Indian  do|mta|i.)irlo  Lord  Dorch.st.^r- Letter  of  Sir  John  Johnson— Colo- 
nel  ( „„d(m—  ...Iter  of  nrniit  to  Colonel  M'Koe— Pacific  views  of  Lord  Porches, 
ter— Uenewed  eHorts  of  llm  United  States  to  bring  the  Indians  to  peace— Iiiterpo- 
MitiDii  ol  (-oin-|ilaiile,— Mission  of  Corn-planter  und  Colonel  Proctor— Briti--h  of- 
licers  xv.sn  u  niedialion-Letter  of  Colonel  Gordon— Colonel  Piekerin-r  l.oids  an 
Indian  OoiiMei  at  ti.e  ("hemMn--|led  Jacket's  conrse-Brant  inter'-.irs-Indinn 
Conneil-nt  UulJalo-liilhi..ne..  of  Colonel  John  Bnilcrand  Brant-.Viission  of  Co- 
lone  1  roelor  and  Corn-pl.inler  fnislrnted— Important  position  of  Brant— Corns- 
pieidi'iie..  hetwe..n  the  Secretary  of  War  and  Governor  Clinton-Colond  Pi<  ker- 
mux  (..Hineil  with  the  Indians  at  Painted  Post— Mission  of  Ilendrick,  the  StcMk- 
hrid'-eehiel— llenewal  of  hostilitii  s— Cainpaii-n  of  General  St.  Clair-Ilis  defeat 
-  niayendaneueanmonjjtlu!  Indian  enptains— The  panic  that  followed— Clamor 
n-iimsl  St  Clair— His  r.'siijriation— Wayne  appointed  his  snccessor— Refusal  of 
Colonel  Wdlelt  to  emhark  ill  ail  Indian  war 291 

CII.VPTER  XI. 
Preparation"*  for  an  Indian  Consultation  at  Philadelphia— Captain  Brant  invited  to 
allend— His  ol.jeetions— Litter  of  the  [lev.  Mr.   KirklanJ  to  Captain  Brant— 
Letter  ol  the  Secretary  of  War  to  the  .same— Letter  of  Colonel  Gordon    to  iho 
saine—Letterof  Captain  Brant  to  t'le  Secr<'tary  of  War— Thu  Sccretaiv  of  War 
to  Caiitain  Mrant— Alt'Mtipts  from  Montreal  to  prevent  Brant  from  {;oin"'to  Pliila- 
delphia— His  ji.iirnev— Keelinu'S  airninst  him  in  the  Mohawk  Vuilev— His  nirive' 
at  i\ew.Y(..k   and  Philadelphia- Liberal  ofllrs  made  him— L<>il(  r  to  the  Count 
de  Pillsy—  I'ho  offi.rs  rijeded— Undertakes  a  Mission  of  Peace  to  the  Miaiiiis— 
llelunis  to  New. York— Pursued  by  a  German  from  the  German  Flats  bent  on 
.  il"f  ''"?'''' — f'^'-overed  in  New- York— Brnnt  returns  to  Nianara— Murder 
ol  Colonel  Harden  and   Major  Triieman— Letters  of  Brant  to  the  Secretary  ut 
\Var— I'eejinjisof  the   Western   Nations— Correspondence  hetuten    Brant    and 
Mevee— Great  Indian  Council  at  the  An  Glaize— Sickness  of  Captain   Bniri 
—  HostihlieH  (h'f.'rieil  until  SpriuL',  and  a  treaty  with  the  United  States  orde.i  d— 
Itdurn  ot  the  Delewales  of  the  Six  Nations— Address  to  President  Waslvn.  ton 
—.'Separate  orjjaMiziifion  of  Upper  Canada— Arrival  of  Governor  Simcoe— Li'ller 
to  Brant  hoin  fhn  Duke  of  Northnmherland— Preparations  for  thu  Grmt  Council 
,    1783— Fresh  <lii^nlisfartion  of  the  Indians— Private  Councils— Tliey  send 
their  ultimatum  in  nntieipafion— Tho  American  Commissioners  depart    for  tho 
Indian  country— Their  a  .lival  at  Nia£;ara— Friendly  conduct  of  Governor  Simcoe 
—Celebration  ol  flicKinsr's  Birth-dav-The  Commissioners  start  for  the  West— 
Their  pro^resM  "nterrnpted— Conduct  of  General  Wayne— Brant  suddenly  re. 
turns  from  the  West  w  ith  n  Deputation— Council  held  at  Fort  Erie— Commis- 
sioners return  to  Niagara— Council  there— Speech  ol  Captain  Brant— Reply  of 
^le  Commissioners— Speech  of  Cat's-Eyes— Rejoinder  of  Brant— Arrival  of  fh. 
Seven  Nations— Brnnt  proceeds  to  the  Miami  Rapida— Followed  by  iheCommis- 
sioners— Arrival  nt  tho  Detroit  River— Their  proiirnss  interrupted— Unexpected 
turn  of  afliurs— Kxplanatinna  with  Deputies  from  the  Great  Council— Lon-'  De- 
hates  in  the  Indian  Council  — Brant  speaks  stron^lv  for  peace— Governor  Sfmcoe 
declines  advisiiisj  the  Indians— The  neaotiations  suddenly  terminated  by  the  In 
'fi.nns— Their  addrc!-— And  pine  qua  non,  ...  318 


CONTENTS. 


VII 


C:  I  AFTER  XII. 

Recovury-'mlmiH  rq)Ml8ud  in  tlieir  attack  upon  the  tbrt-Litt.r  n  Rn.n      l 
.M  •  r  r.  "file  apprised  of  his  mov;Mnunt«  and  alrenath  bv  a  des.vt.'r—Thn 

•Ills  Uiiy — Simeon  and  Bmnt  ninir  to  thn  W..-t_  i,.i  .,.•       .    '^„,'t-»!'i(>n  ui  ao- 
IndiHi/eoiinc.l-The  ho.til,  /  ZoZXIwaZ     Z,      '-"'"m'  "  ^"""T 

CHAPTER  XIU. 
TlmvcndanesoB  in  civil  life— Hix  nctiviiu     iru    a>  .    » 

Correspondence  wiih  Lord  Porrhrst.-r-T he  Pninw^        P  "!    '"  J"'",';»"- 

controversy-Br.infH  difficiihi  8  ui  tihn  Pn,,  Z  '      r  "''""'  '"  '*'"  '""^ 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

HrrHi„foi!;%7ews-S;"^roMhrM  ""''  "'=''"  -P-— '  of  his  people- 
Sir  -/oh;  J^UrtipoSo  s,?b  ct  ;f  or:nin.f  :fe:r?':  ropl-^Ltlr  to 
correspondcnce-In  erviewof  Bran  wi.h  ijf^  R^l  ^^""^  clergyman-Farther 
the  Clli.f  .T,.stice-Appea  of  £"  ,o  tt  f  o^H  R  ^°rP''.T''"*'"'-L«''''f  '» 
J'lication  to  the  ArneZn  cLnT-het,^^^^^^^^ 
ins  the  ordination  of  Mr?PhZ"rE,?h«n,I  nf  k°"!    Burr-Succeeds  in  obtain- 


|-i-.l 


vni 


CONTENTS. 


i! 


Rm*r"IZpf.„''?.''oP<J''''"''~^'''ru' "'•'"«  of  Cricket-Great  gam.  at  Grar.d 
Kivor,  between  the  Senecus  and  Mohawks— Judge  Woodruff's  visit  to  Brant's 
os,de„ce-L'escr.pt,on  of  his  person-Indian  funerals-Respect  Z  theZ,"- 
Lslmmte  of  women-Thmr  mrfiience-Puneral  speech  of  Sen^ca-G.or"^  Death 
of  Airs  Claus-Speech  of  condolence  by  Captain  Brant-Captain  ClaSrin  rep  v 
hhn  n"pM'f /I  ^«^^York,  Philadelphia,  and  Qarlford,  in  1797-1^  lons  to 
",  .  '"'P'"V'^"""'.'  P"'^  "^  C"'""'-''  Burr-Talleyrand  and  «tl  °r  dis! 
tng  ushed  guests-Letter  of  .ntroduction  from  Colonel  Burr  to  hi.  dauohter-Din 

l"3I"^  '"  "7p  ^^'  ^^"r.'  Tl.eodosia-His  manners  described  bv  Dr.  M.l 
a te  jii\?X"''"sf  v''""°?f'"'''  "P"?  '"^  "•■"  *"  'he  Mohawk  countryl-The 
dtLJohn  VVeMs-btrik.ng  incident  in  Albany— Anecdotes— Brant  and  General 
Gansevoort-Brant   and  Colonel  Van  Courtlandt-Reasons  of  Brant  for  tak 
.ng  up  arms  for  the  Kmg-His  reasonings  in  defence  of  the  Indiin  mode  of  war- 

Page  430 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Domestic  relations  of  Brant-Account  of  hi.  family-Bad  character  of  his  eldest  son 

-His  death  by  the  hand  of  his  father -Condolence  of  the  Chiefs-GHef  of  Z 

fhL  n  I'  '^f  |r«"'-Anxiety  for  the  eduction  of  his  sons-Proposed  memoria  to 

h    WK^  ?^  Portland-Letter  of  Brant  to  Colonel  ^mith-Correspondence  with 

tho  Wheelock  family-Letter  from  Brant  to  James  Wheelock-Two  of  his  i' 

sent  to  school  at  Dartmouth-Various  letters  from  and  to  the  Whcelocks-"  orre"! 

Lrt     rT,-"'"n"':-''"'r'^''P'y  '"'he  questions,  whether  the  Indians  have 

beards-Letter  from  Bishop  Peters- Views  of  Brant  o    imprisonment  for  deM- 

JemZtT^f'T'^'^  ^'T  '?"«hing  their  origin- I.idian  tiadirnof  while  s,7 

lements  cut  off  i,.  a  single  mght-Investigations  of  Samuel  Woodruff-Br.int'« 

Err-fB^rriltrSs^dS^-r^  °^.">^  Northmen-RevirwrfTh^e  hlld 

■        "        ■        •        463 
CHAPTER  XVL 

^lfn„""r°/"'*  family  of  Brant  subsequent  to  his  death-Catharine  Brant-The 

Siran  %"  'r^l'  '^'"'.  1°  -compTnTthe  extron-LVuX^f'-Co  "nd 
lal^nH     r.    '^''"^.^"'"^^  «"d  his  party-Intrepidit^of  the  altaek-Va„  Re,  °"e 
laer  and  others  grievously  wounded— Captain  Wool  carries  thp  hIL"./:     1  f 

—Attempts  of  Scott  to  capitu  ate— His  fla^r-bearers  shot  Hnwn     n         "'^'S'^s 
bear  a  flag  himself-A  young  Indian  leaps'upo"  him    ke  a  tTae7°Hir-/'  '" 
nterview  with  General  Sheaffe--Capitul.tion-Mard  to  Nil^rR  >   TT 

m.ervi^.w  between  Scott  and  two  Ind'^ans  at  Niagara  |"e  foul  /erTf  Xm  wi^ 
John  Brant-Base  poltroon ry  of  the  militia-Battle'o  the^  BeaTer-damJ-Crose 
of  young  Brant's  military  life— Remo-es  to  the  Brant  Hn  L  t^i.h  hi  .  a 
count  of  the  family  by  dentenant  Hall-  v'sft  of  The  Ssh  Zt^n^Z~B^Tt 
House-Controversy  of  John  Brant  with  Archdeacon  St  achnrHe  visits  F^ 
land  respecting  the  ancient  land-title  controversy-Succeedrw  th  the  m  nistl '" 
Disappointed  by  the  Colonial  Government-CorreSenLwitll  0^.^11  r7 
8p.cting  the  memory  of  his  .lither-Attention  to  the  moral  wan^snfhl.^o",  '"" 


LIFE 


OP 


JOSEPH  BRANT-TIIAYENDANEGEA,  &c. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Clinton  to  his  h^rotl,er-Rema  kX  ™  o?  Ell.^V'"''"^"^'^^^^        ^'"• 
Brave  defence  of  hi,  ho„se  bv  C  Shanl'  Ld-fcZr  T.^  .!"''"'"««='»"- 

Evidences  of  cvdaation-D.sirnction  of  Kendai,.  an.l   Kana  laseT/a-Marlh 

-Contrast  between  the  conductTftrtil  S         n'tet^e""!- B^diTn*' 
dmns  in  coimcil  resolve  to  fiahtno  more-Si.lIivan  advance"  to OnnrLo-R." 

0  the  country-Condnct  of  Red  Jacket-Ori.'ln  of  Bran  •".  ^.S.y  o'^  J^^^^^^^^^^ 
hvan  set-out  on  Ins  return-Destniclion  of  the  Caynca  towns-Return  of  t,« 
"™y'»T'"g«-Stran..a  rc^tionstoColoneIG,,ns,iortresp^^^n.  K 

of   he  lower  cast  0-The.r  capt.,re-Co,respondence-Th lir  releas^Chse  of 
S ulhvan'.    cam,,„,gn-H,s  resignation-Colonel  Brodhead's  exncfc  „  'Is 
ho&enecas  on  the  Alleghany-lWuron  and  Shawnneso  chiefs  n,cethi?n  arPor 

1  .t.-The.rspecol.e8-Severe  Indmn  batUe  on  the  Ohio-Closing  incidents  of  the 

Thr  policy  of  waging  a  more  decisive  war  against  the  In 
dians,  and  the  loyalists  associated  with  them  in  it:eir  barbarous 
irruptions  upon  the  frontier  settlements,  has  been  adverted  to 
more  than  once  already.  General  Washington  had  long  entertain- 
ed the  opmion  that  the  mere  establishment  of  a  cham  of  military 
posis  along  the  Western  and  North-western  frontiers  would  not 
answer  the  purpose ;  and  that  the  only  method  of  affording 
eificient  protection  to  the  inhabitants  of  those  borders,  would  b^ 
to  carry  the  war  into  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  conntrv  By  a 
resolution  of  the  25th  of  Februarv,  Congress  hod  direVt^^  the 
Commander-in-chief  to  take  the  most  effectual  means  ior  pro- 


U'l 


i 


2 


LIPK    OF    BRANT. 


[1779. 


f 


if 


teotnig  the  inhabitants,  and  chaRtisin.jr  the  Indians  for  tlieir  con. 
.inned  depredations  ;  and  it  was  now  his  deternunation  to  put 
iho  resolve  ni  execution,  by  carrying  the  war  directly  into  the 
.nost  popiilous  country  of  the  Six  Nations  ;  to  cut  off  their  set- 

Itr'r'  ^r'?^-"^'"'  "'"P"'  '''"^  '"fli^tupon  them  every  other 
misch.er  Avhich  time  and  circumstances  would  permit  * 

rnreorr'^l"]'"'^'-^''"  accustomed  to  contemplate  the  whol. 
them  !,f       >  "'"'"  '^^°^-'S'"^^'«  '-^  ««««ntially  alike,  viewn,^ 

liem  all  as  the  same  rovmg,  restless,  houseless  race  of  hunters 
and  fishermen,  without  a  local  habitation,  and  with  scarce  a 
name    have  widely  misunderstood  the  Indian  character,  and 

molpn'^T   '"''^''"^'^^^^^  '^"^  •"  other  respects  the 

moody  Englishman  is  not  more  unlike  his  mercurial  nei<rhhor 
oiUhe  otW  side  of  the  channel,  than  is  the  Mohawk  unUketZ 
S 101^.     It  IS  the  remark  of  a  popular  writer  of  the  day,!  that 
tl^e  who  are  amiliar  with  the  reserved  andhaughty  b    ring 

^'rlot  if  Tr.  '  r'"'''''  "'""  --PPortnni^y  of  compa- 
rison IS  afforded,  to  be  struck  with  the  social  air  and  excitable 
disposition  which  mark  their  prairie  brethren,  and  so  decidedly 

lowing  the  buffi^lo  m  his  migrations,  and  having  always  plenty 
'of  animal  food  to  subsist  upon,  are  a  much  better  fed  and  lar  J 
race  than  those  who  find  a  precarious  subsistence  in  the  fomst 
chase.     While  the  woodland  tribes,  who,  though  not  so  plu    p 
m  form  are  of  a  more  wiry  and  perhaps  musc^ilar  makc^avl 
again  a  decided  advantage  in  figure  and  gait  over  the  "  J„,  du 
/«c,   or  fishing  and  trapping  tribes  of  the  North-west,  tLt  p  4 
«  njost  of  their  time  in  canoes.     This  difference  in  chamcter  and 
physical  appea:  .nee  between  the  different  Indian  races,or  rather 
'be^veen  those  tribes  who  have  such  different  method;  of  . rain- 
ing a  livelihood,  has  never  been  sufficiently  attended  to  bv 
"modem  authors,  though  it  did  not  escape  the  early  Fivn 
-  vvriters  on  this  country.     And  yet,  if  habit  have  any  effect 
"forming  the  temper  and  chara,;ter  of  a  rude  people  it  must  n 
«coursefollow,thatthesavagewholivesineternZ;n;hi:;^^^^^^^^^ 

t  Clmrlesi  F.  Hnfiman,  Esq. 


1779.] 


INDIAN    CHARACTERISTICS. 


and 


flowery  plains,  and  hunts  on  horseback  with  a  troop  of  tribesmen 
'around  hnn,  nu.st  be  a  di.lerent  being  from  the.olitary  dee  1 

stalker,  who  wanders  through  the  dim  forest,depondin<nipon  bis 
"single  arm  for  a  subsistence  for  his  wife  and  children."  IJ  t 
the  higher  state  of  soeial  organization  among  the  Six  Nations 
greatly  increased  the  difference.  They  had  many  tounis  Z 
villages  givmg  evidence  of  permanence.  Tlicy  were  organised 
mto  commumties,  whose  social  and  political  instituHonsrsimple 
o^  they  were,  wei-e  still  as  distinct  and  well.lefmed  as    hose  o 

a^s,  and  were  enjoying  many  of  the  comforts,  of  civilized  life. 
Not  content  with  sm  .11  patches  of  cleared  lands  for  the  raisin^: 
of  a  few  vegetables,  they  possessed  cultivated  fields,  and  orchards 
or  grea  productiveness,  at  the  West.  Especially' was  this  he 
fact  with  regard  to  the  Cayugas  and  Sonecas.  The  Mohawks 
having  been  driven  from  their  own  rich  lands,  the  extei  v^ 
domains  of  the  two  westernmost  tribes  of  the  con  fed  era  y 
formed  the  granary  of  the  whole.     And  in  consequence  of  the 

t^Z-tT  n  "l  "'"''-'^  -.-"i-tion  just  referred  to,  and 
the  Spaitan-hke  character  incident  to  the  forest  life,  tlie  SixNa 
tions,  though  not  the  most  numerous,  were  beyond  a  doubt  die" 
most  formidable,  of  the  tribes  then  i^  arms  In  beh.^f  of  the 
Crown.      It  was  justly  considered,  therefore,  that  the  only  way 
to  strike  them  effectively,  would  be  to  destroy  their  homes  Ind 
he  growing  products  of  their  farms;  and  thtis,  by  cuttin.  off 
their  means  of  supply,  drive  them  from  their  own  country  deeper 
mto  the  interior,  and  perhaps  throw  them  altogether  upon  the 
British  allies  tor  subsistence.     It  w.os  likewise  the  design  to  ex- 
tend the  operations  of  the  expedition  as  far  as  Niagara,  if  possl 
b  e-that  post,  of  all  others  inthe  occupation  of  the  enemy,      . 
abhng  his  ofHeers  to  maintain  an  extensive  mfluence  over  h^ 
savage  allies.f 


i 


n 


I 


Svri3n  '"  ^"^•"-^'■~  "f  ^^  ^^«  Clinton  *./L  L  ^^CS 
J  Since  these  sheets  were  inthe  hands  of  the  printer,  the  author  has  diseovered  an 
omca  manuscnpt  aceo,u,t  of  a  grand  Indian  coundi  hold  at  Niagara,  insTptember 

n  FM  n":  •'°''".'^":"''^i-''  Li-"'--.s  Matthew.,  B„rnit.  and  Kinneiv' 
end  Em..,,  Butler  w,m  ti,.  Harons,  Chippew..  O.t.uvas.  Pottawa.amies,  mS 
«.«agas.  Senecas,Cayuca8.  Onondagas.  One:,-..,  Tuscaroras,  Mohawks    De  a- 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1770 


Ihe  plan  of  tins  campaign  was  well  devised  and  matured 
H  was  to  be  commenced  by  a  combined  movement  of  two  di- 
v.s,ons-_the  one  from  Pennsylvania,  nseending  the  valley  of  the 
Susqnehanna  to  the  intersection  of  the  Tiocra  river,  under  Ge- 
neral Sullivan,  who  was  invested  with  tlie'^commnnd  in  cliief  • 
and  tne  other  from  the  North,  under  General  James  Clinton,' 
which  was  to  descend  the  Susquehanna  from  its  principal  source 
and  after  forming  a  junction  with  Sullivan,  the  whole  to  pro- 
ceed, by  the  course  of  the  Chemung  river,  into  the  fertile  coun- 
tiy  of  the  Senecas  and  Cayugas.     This  expedition  was  intended 
03  the  principal  campaign  of  that  year;  since  the  relative  mili- 
tary strength  and  situation  of  the  two  contending  powers  ren- 
dered it  impossible  that  any  other  offensive  operations  could  bo 
carried  on  by  the  Americans  at  the  same  time.* 

CaM  "t?'"''"'  ^''""^'f  ^  Y"''  Connoys-i„  proson.e  of  Li.  „,.  Colon,.)  John 
Ca  dvvcH,  then  ,n  co,n„.,„,l  at  Niagara.  It  app,,..  ,1„„  onlv  one  On.i.l.  so  1,0," 
w      present   and  one  Tuscarora.    They  a.iopt.d  „n  add,-,.;,  which  was    ,     n 

moelys,gned>ythech,cTsat,endino,heCongres^d,claring,h,.irinta.,ian,oeZL 
.n  the  war,  and  ab.de  .i,e  result  of  the  con.estof  ,i,eKin.  wtlh  hi.,  people.  Th.y  n    o 
made  a  strong  appeal  to  the  O.-eidas  and  Tnsearoras,  ■•  ,o  quit  tl  e  Bo.,oninnf  ad 
be  .strong  and  dct..rn,i„...l  to  fulfil  -heir  en.age.nents  ,o  ,he  Kin.."     They  al^ 
horted  the  Mohawks  to  be  strong,  and  assured  them  "  that  thev,  and  all  tl  eir^n.^ 

rsr;;:r '''- ''--  -'--  -'  ^"^  ^-^  oai,.--^.-.;,.  .:;;•; 

•  It  was  the  original  purpose  of  General  Wasnington  to  inve.^t  General  Gates 
V  h  t  econ,mand  of  th.s  e.xp.d,tion,  and  the  appointment  was  tendered  ,„  ,hn  o-W 
by  later,  on  the  Gth  o  March.  Gates  declined  it,  in  a  manner  no,  verv  a.reeab  o 
^he  Com„.ander-m.c  .ef.  The  latter,  in  writing  subsequently  to  the'  P^esid,  n  If 
Congress  upon  tl^  subject,  m  the  course  of  sundry  explanations,  not  unmin^led  wi.h 

ncj^resupon  the  conduct  of  Gates,  wrote  as  follows  .-.tL  plan  of  o^erto 
forthecampa,gn  being  determ.ned.a  commanding  officer  was  tobeappon.ed  fo 
the  Indian  e.ped.t.on.     This  command,  according  to  all  present  appearance/  J 
probably  be  of  the  second,  if  not  of  the  first,  in.porta.ce  for  the  campIL      T  ,e    ffi 
cer  conductmg  .t  ha.  a  flattering  prospect  of  acquiring  more  crcdir'hrn  co     le  ex 
pected  by  any  other  tins  year ,  and  he  has  the  best  reason  to  hope  for  success.     G. 
neral  Lee.  from  .,s  s„uat,on,  was  out  of  the  question  ;  Gener.l  Sehuvler,  (who  by 
he  way,  won  d  have  been  most  agreeable  to  me,)  was  .o  uncertain  of  conVnoin:.  in 
the  army,  that  I  could  not  appoint  him;  General  Putnam  I  need  not  men"  on 
therefore  made  the  offer  of  i,,  for  the  appoint,nent  could  no  lon.er  betlaTe      o  Ge. 

iZl  h     "'  "  "  ""  ,"7'  '"u"'"'""'-''  ^''"'"'''  f"-^'""'-'-  I  -i?'"  ''"vo  avoided  iTTf 
1  had  been  so  disposed,  from  his  being  in  a  command  by  the  .=pecinl  nnnointll  '  J 
Congress.     My  letter  to  him  on  the  occasion  I  believe  you  wil/Z,;r  et.      , 
m  very  candid  and  pohte  terms,  and  that  it  merited  a  different  answer  fm,.7i 

given  to  it."  i.„.  „/  ,r./,.,„„.  ,„ ..  p,.„,,.„  „,  c:: ; '  ''';;7 

The  answer  of  Gates  referred  to  by  the  Commnnder.in-chi,.f  was  in  the  f,) 
word,  =-"  Laat  night  I  had  the  honor  of  year  E  .llen^.  t^^  '  V^  ^!:::2 


[1779. 


1779.1 


SULLIVAN  S    CAMPAIGN 


ft 


On  the  2d  of  June,  General  Clniton  -ncoived  his  Instructions 
from  Sulhvan,  to  proceed  forthwith  in  the  measures  of  co-opo- 
ration  according  to  the  plan  of  the  canipaijrn  already  indicated, 
vjz  :  the  descent  of  the  Susquehanna  by  the  northern  forces  to 
rnnte  with  the  main  division  at  Tioga.     Preparations  for  the 
enterprise,  however,  were  already  iu  a  state  of  great  forwardness 
s)nc(;  General  Washington  had  been  in  free  communication  with 
Governor  Clinton  upon  the  subject ;  and  the  latter,  with  the  Ge- 
neral his  brother,  had  been  actively  engaged  iu  anticipation  ot 
the  order.*    Accordingly,  batteaux  had  already  been  provided 
at  Schenectady,  which,  after  ascending  the  Mohawk  to  Canajo- 
liane,  were  thence  to  be  transported  over  land  to  the  head  of  Ot- 
sego  Lake  at  Springfield,  while  at  the  same  time  a  larcre  quan- 
tity of  provisions  had  been  thrown  into  Port  Schuyler  in  case 
of  emergency.     After  making  all  his  arrangements,  and  order- 
mg  the  different  corps  which  were  to  compose  his  command 
to  concentrate  at  Canajoharie,  General  Clinton  arrived  at  that 
post  on  the  IGth  of  June,  where  he  found  himself  at  the  head  ol 
nfteen  hundred  troops. 

The  portage  from  the  Mohawk  river  at  Cana-"  ^harie  to  the 
head  of  Otsego  Lake  is  about  twenty  miles.  On  the  17th  Ge- 
neral Clinton  commenced  the  transportation  of  his  boats'  and 
stores  across  the  country-the  region  being  hilly,  Mid  the  roads 
excessively  bad.  Two  hundred  boats  were  found  to  be  neces- 
^iry,  and  four  horses  were  required  for  the  draught  of  each  boat 
The  troops  were  disposed  by  regiments  along  the  route,  both  for 

undertakes  th„  Indian  service,  should  enjoy  youth  and  strength  ;  requisites  I  do  not 
possess.    U  t  erefore  gnevcs  me  that  your  Excellency  should  offir  me  the  onl  v  com 
ma,Ki  to  whu  ,  I  am  ent.rely  unequal.    In  obedience  to  your  command,  I  ha^efl 

JJTl'r""  Clinton  was  at  that  time  in  command  of  the  Northern  depart- 
It,  ^^'T"  """T"^  ^"^  """  '='"'P"*Sn  were,  the  brigades  of  Generals  Clin- 

the  detached  corps  of  ConCnental  troops  on  the  Susquehanna!  xLe  inden  nde„ 
compan.es  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  were  likewise  ordere<l  upon  the  eJed  ti- 
to  e,her  ..th  C..one.  Van  Courtlandfs  regiment,  Butler's,  ^Se  -  nde  2 
ZZ  h  tl  «-«-'>"'^'«  ^•'gi-ent  formed  a  part  of  Clinton's  b  igade.  Thi. 
bng  de  had  already  been  ordered  by  the  Commander-in-chief  himself  toren^Jou, 
at  Canajohar,e,  subject  to  the  orders  of  Sullivan,  either  to  form  a  junction  wifh  the 
mam  bc^y  by  the  way  of  O.se.o.  or  to  proce«i  „p  ,h.  Mohawk  and  cZZlt 


I 


•I 

Vli 

,t 


yi 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[J  779 


(ii 


I 


§' 


safety,  and  to  assist  at  difficult  points  of  ascent.    But,  notwitlu 
standing  these  obstacles,  and  the  magnitude  of  the  enterprise 
..Miera  Chnton  was  enabled  to  announce  to  his  numedia  e  sn-' 
r onor,  by  letter  on  the  2Gth,  that  one  hundred  and  soventy-thr'e 
of  the  boats  had  already  reached  the  head  of  the  lake ;  that 
larty  more  were  on  their  way;  and  that  the  residue,  nKtki,,.. 
,  the  complement  of  two  lumdred  and  twenty,  would  be  for! 
w  uded  thither  immediately  on  their  arrival  from  Schenectady. 
1  he  provisions  and  stores  for  a  three  months'  can,paign  uLi 
ke.ase  been  already  transported  across  the  carrying  place  ;  sc 
Imlthe  expedition  was  nearly  iu  readiness  to 'commence  its 
inml  movement.*     In  a  letter  to  General  SclmyLr  announcing 
the  same  intelligence,  the  General  sj.oke  particularly  of  the 
alacrity  and  spirit  with  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  country 
had  rallied  to  his  assistance.     He  likewise  bestowed  high  praiso 
nppn  Colonel  WiUett,  acting  as  a  volunteer,  for  his  timelvand 
energetic  assistance  in  forwarding  the  arrangements.  In  perform- 
mg  this  labor,  no  other  interruption  took  place  than  what  arose 
irom  the  arrest  of  two  spies,  formerly  inhabitants  of  the  county 
one  of  whom  M-as  named  Hare,  a  lieutenant  in  the  British  ser- 
vice, and  the  other  a  Tory  sergeant  named  Newberry,-tho 
same  wretch  whose  name  has  already  occurred  as  a  brutal  mur- 
derer at  Cherry  Valley.     They  had  left  the  Seneca  country 
with  sixty  warriors  of  that  tribe,  to  be  divided  into  three  parties 
one  of  winch  was  to  fall  upon  Cherry  Valley  again,  the  othe; 
upon  Schoharie,  and  the  third  to  be  employed  in  lurking  about 
Fort  Schuyler.     They  were  tried  by  a  court-martial,  convicted, 
and  «  hanged  pursuant  to  the  sentence  of  the  court,  and  to  tho 
'entire  satisfaction  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  county.''1 

*  General  Waslnngton  was  greatly  displeased  at,  ti.o  amount  of  stor.s  and  ba.. 

frof  .^^  tT    ,     r"  ""  '^"-"""'-'J'  «PPr«hcnding  "the  worst consequenccB"" 
f  cm  the  obstac^B  h.s  etores  would  interpose  to  the  rapidity  of  his  n.arch'and  also 

1  uTuTl  ""^""^  "°"'*^  "'  "  '=°"«'^1"«"««  be  given  to  his  movements.  A|. 
though  he  had  left  U  optional  with  Sullivan  to  direct  Clinton  to  join  him  hv  th.  route 
of  the  Susquehanna  yet  the  Commander-in-chief  evidently  preferred  tha"t  the  more 
northern  route  should  be  taken.  He  wrote  to  Sullivan  upon  the  subject  with  more 
harpness  than  l.e  was  wont  to  do.-[S«  Letter  of  Washington  to  Llli.an,  July  1, 
1779.J  Tho  event,  however,  a.ded  by  the  sagacity  of  Clinton  in  the  adoption  of  a 
measure  presently  to  be  noted,  proved  that  he  took  the  right  direction. 

J!:TJ  r.T  ^u""""'  ^''"'''"  '"  ^"""'"'  ^'''"'y'^'-  ^"  ««""«'  Schuyler's  an- 
swer to  this  letter,  he  says,  speaking  of  the  execution  of  Hare-"  In  executina  HnrP 
you  have  r.d  the  State  of  the  greatest  villain  in  it.  I  hope  his  ab  tors  He  fou": 
try  W.11  meet  w.th  a  similar  ex«!tatiQn.-'-G«u  Clinton's  M^.cript,^ 


TH 


m\ 


[J77U 


1779.] 


Sullivan's  campaign, 


It  was  the  desire  of  General  Sullivan  that  Clinton  should 
employ  ni  his  division  as  large  a  number  of  the  Oneida  war- 
riors  as  could  be  induced  to  engage  in  the  service.     The  latter 
officer  was  opposed  to  this  arrangement ;  but  at  the  importuni- 
ties  of  Sullivan,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  their  missionary,  who 
was  now  a  chaplain  in  tlie  army,  had  been  summoned  to  Allxinv 
for  consultation.     From  thence  Mr.  Kirkland  was  despatched  to 
1  ennsylvania  directly  to  join  Sullivan's  division,  while  to  Mr 
Oeane,  the  interpreter  connected  with  the  Indian  commission  al 
Ion  J^chuyler,  was  confided  the  charge  of  negotiatin<r  with  the 
Oneida  chiefs  upon  tlie  subject.     At  first  all  went  smoothlv  with 
the  hidians.     The  Oneidas  volunteered  for  the  expedition  al- 
most  to  a  man  ;  while  those  of  the  Onondagas  who  adhered  to 
the  cause  of  the  Americans,  were  equally  desirous  of  provino- 
the.r  fidelity  by  their  deeds.     Under  these  circumstances  Clinton 
wrote  to  Sullivan  on  the  2fith,  that  on  the  following  Saturday 
Mr  Deane,wich  the  Indian  warriors,  would  join  him  at  the  head 
o    the  lake.     A  sudden  revolution,  however,  was  wrouglit  in 
their  determination  by  an  address  to  the  Oneidas  from  General 
Haldimand,  received  at  Fort  Schuyler  on  the  22d     This  docu 
ment  wns  transmitted  to  them  in  their  own  languacre  •  and  its 
tenor  was  so  alarming,  as  to  induce  them  suddenly  to  chano-e 
their  purpose-judging,  very  correctly,  from  the  threats  of  Haldi- 
mand,  that  their  presence  vvas  necessary  at  home  for  the  defence 
of  their  own  castles.    Still,  Mr.  Deane  wrote  that  an  arran-e 
ment  was  on  foot,  by  which  he  hoped  yet  to  obtain  the  co-opem- 
tion  of  a  considerable  number  of  the  Oneida  warriors     The 
basis  of  this  arrangement  was,  that  in  the  event  of  an  invasion  of 
their  country  by  the  Indians,  whom  the  Canadian  commander 
had  threatened  to  let  loose  upon  them,  the  garrison  at  Fort 
Schuyler  should  not  only  assist  them,  but  receive  their  women 
and  children  into  the  fort  for  protection. 

General  Haldimand's  address  was  written  in  the  Iroauois 
^nguage,  of  which  the  following  translation  was  made  bv  Mr 
Deane,  and  enclosed  to  General  Clinton :- 


'S'SJt 


LIFE    OF    nUANT. 


[1779. 


■     ■!l' 


10  iiiun  III  tlie  Jroiftfm.i  lanstuasjc  * 

••  n«OT,iERs :  Bo  v,,.ry  „tt,,,tivo  lo  what  I,  Aslmnostown  the 
aro„t  u„|  01  E„gl„,„  ..  roprcscntmivc  in  Canada,  am  ™  .  to 
MV.  By  tins  stnng  of  w,un|,„m  I  shake  you  I,;  ,!,„  hanj  to 
-onso  you  that  you  ,nay  »,i„„sly  rrilec.  upL  mv  wLs 

"BnoTH.ns.  I.  is  now  „h„,„  fon/y^l^^X'sir'tC'Tios 

»1  i.i  sl.md,  smco  wh,d,  time  you  have  tai<c„  a  different  mn 
fen,  the  rest  of  the  L'ive  Nations,  your  eonfedera.es,  ™dl've 
likewise  deserted  the  Kin.-'s  ,.„u«e,  ihren.h  the  doeei  fu  In,  e  IH 
nat,„ns  and  snares  of  the  rehols,  w'ho  in.imii'^o"^,     iti^" 

?o  Tall  7'"'  "'  "'■""  """"  >•»"  I'—bolildered,  nd 
loigot  all  of  your  enffogenumis  with,  and  former  c-ire  ,n,I 
favor  fro,^  ,ho  Great  King  of  Engia,  d,  your  Pa  he     'y™ 

you  were  ,„  earnest.    I  have  hitherto  strictly  ote^'d  "do, 
ommed  your  conduct,  and  find  that  von  did  „„,!  i. 
assertion,  althottgh  1  could  trace  noZon        the  s*:™" 
vernraent  as  well  as  the  Indians  whv  vo„  .i,    ,j  *^°" 

erons  and  double  a  nart  ZThil^  ^  ""'''  '"^' '"'  "™'=''- 
yonr  fidelity,  have Yadl^tai  rrt^Kta  ""T"'"^' 
and  the  Five  Na,i„ns  your  Jriends  T  co^  t i™^  ^.^d 'S ' 
mg  you  besides,  prond  arid  hauff'„„  „n  ,i,„  '  """/'"'l- 

|loried  i„  yonr  pLdy,  doubiL'  iLure' co  fiZc^'rif  Z 

behavior,  I  must  insist  upon,  by  this  belt  of  wampum  thatt.^ 
declare  yourselves  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  trm^.^lch 
Copied  by  the  author  fto.  the  M...  among  the  papers  .,f  General  C,i„rn. 


( 
( 
t 
0 

s 
tl 
ii 
li 

K 


[1779. 


I779.J        nALDIMANDS    ADDRESS    TO   THR    ONrlDAS.  9 

and  message,  whether  you  mean  to  persist  in  vhh  your  aarmg 
and  msulting  course,  and  still  intend  to  net  as  you  Imve  hithorto 
Jone,  treacherously  under  the  cloak  of  neulra-ity,  or  whether 
>rou  will  accept  of  this  my  lost  olfer  of  re-uniting,  and  reconcilin.T 
yourselves  with  your  own  tribes,  the  Five  Nations.     Do  ixoi 
nnagine  that  the  King  has  hitherto  treated  the  rebels  and  their 
aaherents  with  so  much  mildness  and  indulgence,  out  of  any 
apprehensions  of  their  strength,  or  getting  the  better  !     No  bv 
no  means.     For  you  will  find  that  in  case  you  slight  or  disre- 
gard this  iny  hvst  offer  of  peace,  I  shall  soon  convince  you  that 
I  have  such  a  numter  of  Indian  allies  to  let  loose  upon  you,  as 
will  instantly  convince  you  of  your  folly  when  too  late,  as  I 
have  hardly  been  able  to  restrain  them  from  falling  upon  you 
for  .some  time  pa^t.    I  must  therefore  once  more  repeat  to  you 
that  i^is  IS  my  last  and  final  message  to  you;  and  that  you 
do  not  hesitate,  or  put  off  giving  me  your  direct  and  decisive 
declaration  of  peace  or  war,  that  in  cose  of  the  latter,  (knowing 
that  there  are  still  some  of  your  nation  who  are  friends  to  the 
King  and  the  Five  Nations,)  I  may  give  them  timely  warning 
to  separate  themselves  from  you. 

"Brothers  :  Let  me  lastly  convince  you  of  the  deceit  and 
dissimulation  of  your  rebel  brethren.  General  Schuyler,  Parson 
Kirkland,and  others;  have  they  not  told  you,  in  the  beginnin.. 
of  the  rete  hon,  that  they  wanted  not  your  assistance,  and  to 
have  your  blood  spilt ;  and  you  likewise  declared  that  you  would 
not  join  them,  but  remain  neuter  ?    Have  either  of  you  stuck  to 
your  word?    No!  you  basely  broke  it,  and  seemed  from  the 
begu.mng  to  be  of  mutual  hostile  sentiments  against  the  Kins 
oiid  his  allies,  and  soon  after  manifested  it  by  your  actions 
What  confirms  me  in  this  opinion,  and  proves  your  deceitfu 
and  treacherous  dispositions,  is  your  behavior  during  the  course 
01  tlie  lust  wur,  when  you  likewise  acted  a  double  part  in  clan- 
destinely  joining  and  carrying  intelligence  to  the  French  in 
this  country  ;  which  I  myself  am  a  witness  to,  and  also  was  told 
of  It  by  your  friend,  the  late  Sir  William  Jolmson,  who,  notwith- 
standing  your  base  behavior,  upon  promising  that  you  would  be 
true  and  faithful  for  the  future,  forgave  you,  and  received  you 
mto  favor  again,  advising  you  to  be  more  prudent  and  honest  in 
nme  to  come  ;  and  frequently  after  that  '     %d  you  with  th-> 
Kmg^  bounty  and  favor.    But^he  wi^  no  .uoner  dead  tlian  you 


i 


10 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


[1779. 


«n,-mtef.,IIy  forgot  his  good  a.lvice  and  benedictions  •  and  .,.  nn 
ro-s.t,o„  to  l.is  thnnly  and  Indian  fVi.nds,  an      "  ^  t  in  /  Z' 

iVing,  vour     ate;  mtmn    Si-  H,Mi: .   .  J"'"^ 


Hj 


We  Ml. 
"  Fred.  Haloimand." 

On  the  30th  of  June,  Clinton  wrote  ,o  Sullivon  Ih.l  hi.  „ 
tangetnents  were  complete-that  all  his  store  Id  ^^I;,'; 
every  descnptton  were  at  the  lake,  with  two  hnnd^d  „  d  en 
batteaux-und  every  thing  in  readiness  for  embark,  "„  ,1," 
motnent  h,s  orders  to  that  effect  .honid  l«  ree "  d  q"  e 
1st  of  July  he  proceeded  to  the  l„l<e  himself,  a„d^^  exno  n, L,t 
moredfromttshead  to  the  Southern  extrentityLtheetoS^^^ 

portion  of  the  garrison  a,  Niagara.     From  thi    intel"  i" 
r  a^tt":*"  *^  '"''^'"  -™^  --  -  "-  ^  -'-with.' 

On  the  5th  Mr.  Deane  arrived,  at  the  head  of  thirtv-five 
Oneida  warriors.     The  objeet  of  their  visit  was  m  ™  to 
apologize  for  the  absence  of  their  brethren  fiom  the  eStio^ 
and  to  maJce  those  explanations,  in  regard  t  >  their  own  «' 
situation,  already  communicatd  by  Mr.  I^eaMe  by  lett    To 
getnei   with  the  address  of  General  Haldimand,  which  'had 
caused  their  alarm.-    A  conforence  took  place  ;ith  Generli 
Clinton  on  the  same  day,  at  which  the  Oneidas  delivered  S 
message  in  the  following  speech  :—  ^ 

"  Brother  :  We  suppose  you  imagine  we  have  come  hen- 
m  order  to  attend  x  ou  npon  your  expedition,  but  we  a"  scrn 
to  inform  you  that  our  situation  is  such  as  will  not  admk  J^ 


[1779. 


1779.]        VISIT    OP   THE   0NEIDA9    TO   OKN.    CMXTON.  IJ 

'^  Bkotiikr  :  From  iiitdlitrmce  wliicli  we  muv dopond  upon 
^vc  have  reason  to  believe  that  tlie  Six  Nations  ni'oan  to...ul.race' 
the  opportunity  of  our  absence  in  order  to  dc.tn.y  ')ur  eastks  ■ 
these  accounts  we  have  by  spies  Irom  amon<r  tjioni,  and  wr 
know  that  a  considerable  body  ol^ tliem  are  now  collected  at 
Cayuga  Ibr  that  purpose,  waiting  in  expectation  of  our  warriors 
leaving  the  castle  to  join  you. 

"  Broth  KR  :  It  was  our  intention  to  have  joined  you  upon 
your  nitendcd  route,  and  hope  you  will  not  think  hard  of  it 
that  we  do  not ;  but  such  is  our  present  danger,  that  in  case  ve 
leave  our  castle  it  must  be  cut  off,  as  a  la.gc  party  of  theenemv 
are  waiting  for  that  purpose. 

"  Broth  Kii:  This  is  a  time  of  danger  with  us.  Our  brethren 
the  Americans,  have  always  promised  us  assistance  for  our  pro^ 
tection  wlienever  we  stand  in  need  of  it ;  we  therefore  request 
that,  agreeable  to  these  promises,  we  may  have  some  troops  sent 
to  our  assistance  in  this  time  of  great  danger.  Should  you 
send  a  body  of  troops  to  our  assistance  and  protection,  and  the 
enemy  attack  us,  and  we  should  have  the  fortune  to  beat  them 
we  will  with  those  troops  pursue  them,  and  join  you  down  in 
their  country  ;  or  if  they  should  not  make  an  attack  upon  our 
castle  in  a  short  time,  wc  will  march  through  their  castles  until 
we  join  you."  ^  ^^^^ 

To  which  General  Clinton  made  the  following  reply  •_ 
"  Brf.thren  :  Our  present  expedition  is  intended  to  chastise 
those  nations  who  have  broken  their  faith  with  ns,  and  joined 
our  enemies.     The  force  we  have  is  quite  sufficient  for  that 
purpose.     Our  route  is  planned  in  the  great  council  of  this 
country.     It  is  not  my  desire  that  the  whole  of  your  warrior- 
slwuld  leave  their  castles.     I  have  given  a  general  invitation  to 
our  Brethren  the  Oneidas,  the  Tuscaroras,  and  such  Onondaa-as 
as  may  have  entered  into  friendship  with  us..    In  order  to  give 
all  our  Indian  friends  an  equal  chance  of  evidencino- th-ir  spirit 
and  determination  to  partake  of  our  fortune,   I  am  entirely 
SQtisned  that  such  only  should  join  nie  as  think  proper     It  is 
not  for  want  of  warriuis  that  I  have  given  you  this  invitation  bui 
thatevery  warrior  who  is  a  friend  to  these  United  Statesmay  Imve 
an  equal  opportunity  of  puni.h'ng  the  enemies  of  our  country 

"As  your  situation  is  such  us  causes  you  to  suppose  your 
castle  m  danger  of  being  destroved  by  your  enemies  iu  case  of 


Ui' 


f 


Ml 


19 


tIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1770 


ii.i 


your  absnnco,  I  by  no  nuans  das..  ^  that  more  of  your  Nvurriors 
«H«,.lrf  loavo  your  castles  than  your  council  think  proper  to 

"As  yet  I  mn  fully  persuaded  that  all  our  enemies  of  the  Six 
NatK>ns  ^y.ll  (n.d  too  uu.eh  to  do  at  home,  to  sutler  any  of  their 

a^  or  a  I.tllu  wlule  that  your  castles  are  out  of  daurer,  and  tho 
Whole  or  any|.art  of  your  warriors  think  prof-er  to^ome  to  us, 
1  sha  I  bo  giml  to  see  you  ;  and  in  the  menutinie  perhaps  you 
may  iHj  as  .orviceable  where  you  are,  as  if  you  were  with  us 

I  siml  unrnediately  give  orders  to  the  ollicers  commanding 
at  t  ort  .Srhuy|,r  to  send  some  troops  to  your  castle,  and  write 
to  Colonel  Van  Schaicic,  who  commands  in  my  absence,  to  af- 
ford you  every  assistance  in  his  power,  as  I  am  not  authorized 
to  order  any  ot  the  troops  now  with  me  on  any  other  command 
bcmg  directed  by  our  Great  Chief  and  Warrior  to  proceed  with 
mo  whole  of  these  troops  on  the  present  route." 

In  the  course  of  the  interview,  the  s.uhems  informed  General 
Uniton  that  a  party  of  about  three  h.mdred  Indians,  with  a  few 
lories  had  marched  from  Cayufra  ten  days  tefore,  for  the  pur 
poso  of  han<ring  upon  his  outskirts  and  harassing  his  march  to 
1  lofcn.     Still  It  was  supposed  not  to  be  their  intention  to  do  any 
ser.ous  fi^rhting,  until  the  invading  forces  should  have  advaaiced 
a  consideruhle  distance  up  the  Tioga  or  Chemung  river     In- 
deed.  It  was  evidently  the  purpose  of  the  enemy  to  make  no 
8U,nd,  until  the  forces  of  Sullivan  and  Clinton  should  arrive  in 
tlu  neighborhood  of  the  works  of  defence  which  the  Indians  and 
lories  had  been  constructing,  even  before  the  battle  of  V^vo. 
ming,  on  tho  banks  of  the  Chemung. 

In  consequence  of  the  requisition  of  the  warriors,  ir  ■  -',• 
speech,  General  Clinton  issued  an  order  to  the  commanding  of- 
ricor  at  Fort  Schuyler  to  detnch  a  command  of  thirty  or  forty 
men  to  the  Oneida  fort,  to  be  recalled  as  circumstances  micrht  * 
rt^mr.  With  this  understanding,  and  the  assurances  in  the 
Oene».il  i,  -  w'-.-  to  tb^ir  speech,  the  ten  principal  warriors,  spe- 
cially  ch::T^,  ■  vith  xae  explanations,  took  their  departure  the 
same  e v^;  u-,  for  their  ov  r,  castle— leaving  the  remaining 
twenty-iive  to  ceccmpany  the  expedition.*    General  Clmton  was 

diL^a  r""  T  "'"  '•"'?  ""T'""''  ""''  "'°''  "'■"'^  "'^""'^^  «">'''  <J«««"'d  the  expe. 
dition  before  thoy  arrived  at  Tioga.  ^ 


1770.] 


SULLIVAN'S   CAMPAIOl*. 


13 


impatient  of  delay,  as  appears  by  a  letter  addressed  to  his  brotfier 
on  the  mxt  day,  liom  which  the  following  is  on  extract  :_ 

Gknkkal  to  Govehnor  Clinton. 

"  Camp  nil  the  south  end  of   ) 
0/*en'o  Lake,  July  6th,  1779.  ( 
"  Dear  Brotiiku, 

"I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  am  now  at  this 
place,  with  (wo  hundred  and  eight  boats,  with  all  the  stores, 
provisions,  and  iK.ggage  of  the  army;  and  I  am  well  convinced 
that  such  a  quantity  of  each  hath  never  Ix^fore  l)een  transported 
over  so  bad  a  road  in  so  short  a  time  and  with  less  accidents,  sc 
hat  I  am  now  in  the  most  readiness  to  move  down  the  «a,.,ue- 
hanna,  whenever  I  receive  General  Sullivan's  orders  for  that 
purpose      I  have  thrown  a  dam  across  the  outlet,  which  I  con- 
ceive  will  be  of  infinite  importance,  as  it  has  raised  the  lake  at 
least  avo  feet,  by  which  the  boats  may  be  taken  down  with  less 
danger  than  otherwise,  although,  from  the  intricate  windin<r  of 
the  channel,  I  expect  to  meet  some  difliculties  on  the  way  "^  It 
IS  uncertain  when  I  shall  leave  this  place. 

«  I  received  a  letter  from  General  Sullivan  yesterday,  dated  at 
Wyoming  July  1st,  in  which  he  informs  me  that  he  was  anx. 
lously  waiting  the  arrival  of  his  stores  from  Sunbury-that  he 
expected  them  daily-that  it  wa3  determined  in  council  that  that 
army  should  proceed  almost  as  far  as  Tioga  previous  to  my 
paving  the  lake,  as  by  that  means  he  might  make  a  diversion  in 
my  tavor,  and  facilitate  my  movements  down  the  river     This 
I  im.gme  to  be  in  consequence  of  a  letter  which  he  probably  has 
received  from  General  Washington,  and  one  I  received  from 
him  dated  the  first  instant,  in  which  his  Excellency  expresses 
h.s  surprise  at  my  taking  so  much  stores  with  me,  when  it  wl 
determmed  that  all  the  supplies  of  the  army  should  comeZ 
with  Gen  ral  Sullivan,  and  that  nothing  mor Jshould  be  brought 
with  me  than  was  absolutely  necessary  for  the  troops  until  fhe 
junction  was  forme^J  at  Tioga.    However,  as  it  was  G  neml 
Sull  van's  orders  to  bring  what  provision  i  could,  and  rhS 
Excellency  added  in  his  letter  to  me  that  it  wa.  nit  i      "t.^ 
tion  to  contravene  any  orders  I  may  receive  fro  n  Gener.    Sul 
ivan,  1  ordered  the  whole  to  be  for^varded  to  this  place    whi^h 

I    hniru  l-!or>r>.Ii»  '^fRaz-f^-l  1       /•        ...  f  »u.v./vy  ,     WHICH 

-  „a.„  .i„pp„3,  ^aeeted,  aua  ox  wiiicii  1  do  not  repent,  as  I  be- 


14 


-.IFB   OP    BRANT. 


[1779. 


i" 


ieve  I  shall  fall  short  of  many  articles.       *        *        *        # 

on,l  *  ..  •  '^^'^  ^'"'"'P'  '''''  '"  ^^°°^  h^^Jth  and  high  spirits 
ad  every  tinng  seems  to  promise  a  most  favorable  and  su  ce  si 
ful  campaign."         *******        I 

Ch^tl' whT^'^r?  "^-''^  ^^  ^'^"^  ^"^"^^^  ''  "^^'-^  General 
Clnton  whde  thus  detamed  at  Otsego  Lake.     StilJ,  his  pro- 
ceed^ngs  were  not  left  entirely  without  observation,  and  there 
were  two  mdilidnal  affrays  happening   in  his   vxin  ty  wh Lh 
os.-ve  spee,a,  mention     The  name  o°f  David  Elerson'oL  Sf 
he  bold  spirits  associated  with  Murphy  in  Morgan's  rifle  corps 
^as  a  ready  occurred  in  a  former  chapter.     Th°e  detachmen^^^ 
which  he  belonged  had  been  ordered  from  Schoharie  to  ioin 
h.s  expedition.     While  lying  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  Elersoa 
rambled  off  to  an  old  clearing,  at  the  distance  of  a  mil   or  ml 
^ck    whr°f^'"^"'.'"^''""^^--     H-".- filled  his  l"! 
startled  at  the  rustling  of  the  tall  and  coarse  herbag;  around 
h.m,  and  m  the  same  instant  beheld  some  ten  or  a  dozen  In- 
dians, who  had  crept  upon  him  so  cautiously  as  to  beTt  o^ 
the  point  of  springing  to  grasp  him.     Their  Object  was  clearlv 
rather  to  make  him  a  prisoner  than  to  kill  him   since  he  mg,^ 
easily  have  been  shot  down  unpercei ved.    Perhaps  the v  wanf  d 
him  for  an  a.Wa/e.  perhaps  to  obtain  information. '  Seizing 
his    ifle,  which  was  standing  by  his  side,  Elerson  sprang  for! 
w  ard  to  escape      A  shower  of  tomahawks  hurtleq  through  the 
a  r  after  h.m;  but  as  he  had  plunged  into  a  thicket'of  tall  ^oed 
and  bushes,  he  was  only  struck  on  one  of  his  hands,  his  mid- 
dle finger  being  nearly  severed.  A  brisk  chase  was  immediately 

intoThTw  .  ';i  '"  '"  b'-ush-wood  fence,  Elerson  darted 
in  o  the  woods,  and  the  Indians  after  him.  He  wa«  as  fleet  as 
a  stag  and  perceiving  that  they  were  not  likely  soon  to  over- 

withoi^'.rT''^'^^''!:"'^"''  '^'''  ''^^"^*'^^'-  ^'■'"'  but  luckily 
three  o  cbck-Elerson  using  every  device  and  stratagem  to 
elude  or  deceive  the  Indians,  but  they  holding  him  close  It 
length  having  gained  a  moment  to  breathe,  an  Indian  started 
up  in  h,s  front.  Drawing  up  his  rifle  to  clear  the  passaire  in 
that  direction,  the  whizz  of  a  bullet  fleshing  his  side,  and  the 
crack  of  a  rifle,  from  another  p.int,  tnu^hi  him  that  deiavs  weiv 
particularly  dangerous  at  that  spot.     The  Indian  in  front,  how- 


[1779. 


n79,]    ADVENTURES  OP  ELERSON  AND  8HANKLAND.        15 

ever,  nad  disappeared  on  his  presenting  his  rifle,  and  Elerson 
again  darted  forward.     His  wounded  side  bled  a  little,  though 
not  enough  to  weaken  him.    Having  crossed  a  ridge,  he  paused 
a  moment  in  the  valley  beyond,  to  slake  his  thirst— his  mouth 
being  parched,  and  himself  almost  fainting.     On  rising  from 
the  brook,  the  head  of  one  of  his  pursuers  peeped  over  the  crest 
of  the  hill.     He  raised  his  rifle,  but  such  was  his  exhaustion 
that  he  could  not  hold  it  steady.     A  minute  more,  and  he  would 
have  been  in  the  power  of  the  savage.     Raising  his  rifle  again, 
and  steadying  it  by  the  side  of  a  tree,  he  brought  the  savage 
tumbling  headlong  down  the  hill.     In  the  next  moment  his 
trusty  rifle  was  re-loaded  and  primed,  and  in  the  next  the  whole 
group  of  his  pursuers  came  rushing  over  the  ridge.     He  again 
supposed  his  minutes  were  numbered;  but  being-  partly  shel- 
tered by  the  trunk  of  a  huge  hemlock,  they  saw  not  him,  but 
only  the  body  of  their  fallen  comrade  yet  quivering  in  the  ago- 
nies of  death.  Drawing  in  a  circle  about  the  body  of  their  com- 
panion, they  raised  the  death  wail;  and  as  they  paused,  Eler- 
son made  another  effort  to  fly.     Before  they  resumed  the  pur- 
suit, he  had  succeeded  in  burying  himself  in  a  dark  thicket  of 
hemlocks,  where  he  found  the  holFow  trunk  of  atree,  into  which 
he  crept.     Here  he  lay  ensconced  two  full  days,  without  food 
or  dressings  for  his  wound.     On  the  third  day  he  backed  out  of 
^'the  loop-hole  of  his  retreat,"  but  knew  not  which  way  to  pro- 
ceed—not discerning  the  points  of  the  compass.  In  the  course  of 
two  or  three  miles,  however,  he  came  to  a  clearing,  and  found 
himself  at  Cobleskill — having,  during  his  recent  chase,  run  over 
hill  and  dale,  bog,  brook,  and  (en,  upward  of  twenty-five  miles. 
At  about  the  same  time,  and  probably  by  the  same  party  of  In- 
dians, the  premises  of  a  Mr.  Shankland,  lying  in  their  track,  situ- 
ated in  the  outskirts  of  Cherry  Valley,  were  assaulted.    Residing 
at  the  distance  of  two  or  three  miles  from  the  village,  his  house 
had  escaped  the  common  distruction  the  proceeding  Autumn. 
But  he  had  nevertheless  removed  his  family  to  the  valley  of  the 
Mohawk  for  safety,  and  had  returned  to  his  domicil  accompa- 
nied only  by  his  son.*     They  were  awakened  just  before  dawn 
by  the  assailants,  who  were  endeavoring  to  cut  away  the  door 


with  their  hatchets.     Takin."  d 


lani  directed  his  son  to  load  them,  while  he 


own  his  two  guns,  Mr.  Shank- 


successively  fired 


■i'' 


I 


iu 


'  The  late  Thomas  Sliauklund  Em.  of  Ci)ODerstown. 


Id 


lifl-'E  OP  BRANT. 


[1779. 


to  he  host  advantage.  B.t  not  beingable  to  see  the  enemy,  he 
detenn>ned  upon  a  sortie.  Having  a  spear,  or  espontoon.  in  the 
house,  h.  armed  nmself  therewith,  and  carefully  unbarrin^  the 
door,  rushed  forth  upon  the  besiegers,  who  fled  back  at  his^s  d' 

p  rs  irr;      M  ?''  ''  '''  '"^'^"«  "h«-  he  was  specially 
pu.su  ng,  tumbled  over  a  log,  and  as  Mr.  Shankland  struck  at 

Wr'Jt-'^^Z  "T""^  '^'  ^°°^'  ^"^  P^^^^d  ^''^  ^he  shaft. 
W  enchmg    he   blade  from  the  log,  he  darted  back  into  the 

assailants      They  had  been  so  much  surprised  by  his  rushin.. 
out  upon  them,  that  they  neither  fired  a  shot,  nor  hu'rled  a  tom^ 
hawk,  until  he  had  returned  to  his  castle,  and  barred  the  sally- 
wh.;  f  ^:'r"^*hat  part  of  the  affray,  his  son,  becoming  som'e- 
what  frightened,  escaped  from  the  house,  and  ran  for  the  wood. 
He  was  pursued,  overtaken,  and  made  captive.     The  father 
however,  continued  the  fight-the  Indians  firing  through  the 
casements  at  random,  and  he  returning  the  shot^  as  well  as  he 
w       ^^*°f  *^"^«  he  thought  of  sallying  forth  again,  and 
sellmg  h.s  hfe  to  the  best  advantage  ;  but  by  thus  doing,  he 
very  rightly  judged  that  he  should  at  once  involve  the  life  of  his 
son      The  Indians,  growing  wearied  of  fighting  at  such  disad 
vantage,  at  last  attempted  to  make  sure  of  their  victim  by  apply 
ing  the  torch,  and  the  house  was  speedily  in  flames,     but  it  so 
hapened  that  between  the  rear  of  the  house  and  the  forest,  a  field 
of  hemp  mterposed-into  which  Mr.  Shankland  contrived  to 
throw  hirnself  from  the  house,  unperceived   by  the  Indians. 
Concealed  from  observation  by  the  hemp,  he  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing the  woods,  and  making  good  his  retreat  to  the  Mohawk 
Meantime  the  Indians  remained  by  the  house  until  it  was  con- 
sumed,  together,  as  they  supposed,  with  the  garrison.     They 
then  raised  a  shout  of  victory,  and  departed*-several  of  their 
number  having  been  wounded  by  the  corageous  proprietor. 

Oreatly  to  his  vexation,  as  appears  from  his  letters.  General 
Clinton  was  detained  at  Otsego,  by  the  tardy  movements  of  his 
commander  below,  during  the  whole  month  of  July  and  the 
first  week  m  August-until,  indeed,  his  troops  became  impatient 
to  a  degiee.t     But  the  General  was  not  idle  in  respect  to  every 

•  Campbell's  Annals. 

t  ny  a  lotter  from  the  Commnnder-in-chiof  t«  General  SuHiv.-n,,  if  .pr-ears  t!mt  ia 
thcorganization  of  theE.pedition  tbelatter  had  been  compelled  to  encounter greu.er 


[1779. 


1779.] 


Sullivan's  campaign. 


17 


arrangement  that  might  add  to  their  security  or  contribute  to 
their  success.     In  the  letter  to  his  brother,  last  quoted,  he  dis 
closed  one  capital  stroke  of  generalship,  which  not  only  con- 
tributed largely  to  his  successful  descent  of  the  river,  but  was 
of  great  service  in  other  respects.    The  damming  of  the  lake, 
and  the  accumulation,  by  this  means,  of  a  vast  reservoir  of 
water,  by  rendering  more  certain  and  expeditious  the  navigation 
of  the  river,  was  an  exceedingly  happy  thought.    And  when  at 
length  orders  were  received  for  his  embarkation  on  the  9th  of 
August,  his  flotilla  was  not  only  borne  triumphantly  along  upon 
the  pile  of  the  impatient  waters  accumulated  for  the  occasion, 
but  the  swelling  of  the  torrent  beyond  its  banks  caused  wide 
and  unexpected  destruction  to  the  growing  crops  of  the  Indians 
on  their  plantations  at  Oghkwaga  and  its  vicinity.     They  were, 
moreover,  greatly  affrighted  at  the  sudden  and  unexpected  rise 
of  the  waters  in  thedryest  season  of  the  year,  especially  as  there 
had  been  no  rains— attributing  the  event  to  the  interposition  ot 
the  "  Great  Spirit,"  who  thus  showed  that  he  was  angry  with 
them.     The  whole  expedition  was  indeed  calculated  to  impress 
them  with  terror— as  it  might  have  done  a  more  enlightened 
and  less   superstitious  people.     The   country  was  wild  and 
totally  uninhabited,  excepting  by  scattered  familes  of  the  In- 
dians, and  here  and  there  by  some  few  of  the  more  adventurous 
white  settlers,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Unadilla.     The  sudden 
swelling  of  the  river,  therefore,  bearing  upon  its  surge  a  flotilla 
of  more  than  two  hundred  vessels,  through  a  region  of  primitive 
forests,  and  upon  a  stream  that  had  never  before  wafted  upon 
its  bosom  any  craft  of  greater  burthen  than  a  bark  canoe,  was  a 

difficulties  than  had  been  anticipated.  He  was  disappointed  in  regard  to  the  Penn- 
svlViinia  independent  companies-to  supply  which  deficiency,  LiVutenant-Coloiiel 
Albert  Pauling  was  directed  to  ma-ch  across  from  Warwasing,  and  join  Clinton  at 
O^hkwa^a.  Governor  Clinton  himself  had  intended  to  lead  this  regiment,  but  Ge- 
nsral  Washington,  believing  that  the  influence  of  his  presence  was  needed  elsewhere 
induced  him  to  relinquish  that  design.  The  delays  of  Sullivan,  therefore,  may  not 
nave  ansen  from  any  fault  of  his  own.  Still,  the  inactivity  of  General  Clinton  at 
Otsego  Lake,  and  of  Sullivan  at  Wyoming,  was  no  more  irksome  to  the  former 
than  to  Brant  himself.  This  active  warrior  had  probably  led  in  person  the  three 
hundred  Indians  spoken  of  by  the  Oneidas  as  having  gone  forth  to  hang  upon  the 
flankH  of  General  Clinton,  and  annoy  his  troops  by  skirmishes  during  the  march 
Becoming  weary,  however,  of  waiting  for  a  foe  whose  movements  were  apparently 
so  lardy.  Brant  determined  on  making  the  irruption  into  Minisink,  of  which  a  history 
hart  bt-en  given  in  the  last  preceding  cliupter 


SI 

M 


i 


•ill: 


18 


MFE    OP    BR\NT. 


[1779. 

spectacle  uijich  might  well  ajpal  the  untutored  inhabitants  of 
the  regions  thus  invaded. 

seen?h?^",r  '"''^'"'  Proceedings  of  Chntoh,  it  has  been 
seen  that  &n  hvan  was  very  dilatory  in  his  movements,  and  his 

satisfaction  to  Congress.     His  requisitions  for  supplies   were 
enormous,  and  several  of  his  specifications  of  artides,  such  as 
eggs,  tongues,  and  other  luxuries,  were  considered  so  unsoldier! 
like  as  to  create  disgust.     However,  having  completed  his  ar 
rangements  he  left  Wyoming  on  the  31st  of  July,  and  ascended 
the  Susquehanna  to  Tioga,  with  an  expedition  far  more  formi- 
dable as  to  numbers,  and  not  less  imposing  in  other  respects,  than 
was  the  descending  division  under  General  Clinton-thoueh  he 
had  not  the  advantage  of  riding  upon  so  majestic  a  flood. 
Sullivan  reached  Tioga  on  the  11th  of  August,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowmg  day  pushed  out  a  detachment  twelve  miles  toward 
Chemung,  which  was  attacked  by  a  body  of  Indians-losing 
dunng  the  brush,  seven  men  killed  and  wounded.     The  de- 
tachment returned  to  Tioga  on  the  13th,  after  having  burnt  one 
of  the  Indian  towns. 

General  Clinton  with  his  division,  having  been  joined  at 
Oghkwaga  by  a  detachment  of  Colonel  Pauling's  levies  from 
Warwasmg,  arrived  at  Tioga  and/ormed  a  junction  with  Sul- 

nZflT  r  ''  i"^""'  ^""^  ^'^^"•^  ^°— d  amounted 
now  to  five  thousand,  consisting  of  the  brigades  of  Generals 
Clinton,  Hand,  Maxwell,  and  Poor,  together  with  Proctor's  ar- 
tillery and  a  corps  of  riflemen.  So  long  had  the  expedition 
been  m  progress,  that  it  was  well  understood  the  Indians  and 
Tories  were  not  unprepared  to  receive  them;  and  in  moving 
up  the  Tioga  and  the  Chemung  rivers,  the  utmost  degree  of 

ITZ  ^"T^Tf  -^ ^'''^  '^''^'"'^  ^"^P^^'^«-     A  strong  ad- 
vanced guard  of  light  infantry  preceded  the  main  body,  4ich 

was  well  protected  by  large  flanking  parties.     In  this  wU  thev 
slowly  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  the  works  of  the  enemv 
upon  the  Chemung  at  Newtown.     On  the  28th,  an  Indian  seN 
tlement  was  destroyed,  together  with  fields  of  corn,  and  olher 
Indian  products  yet  unharvested.* 

*  The  instrnrtions  of  the  Commander-in-cliief  were  porrmplo.v   that  SmIIIv 
wasnotevcn  to  hsten  to  j-r'nositJons  of  ,„■;  c-  until  aH  r  hi     h     I'l  i  " 

thoroughly  coa,pletcd.heLtn,c,.„  of, lJ.i;:,Z^^^^^^^^^^     '  "'"""  ''"^  "^^^> 


[1779. 
aWtants  of 

has  been 
s,  and  liis 
cular  dis- 
lies   were 
!,  such  as 
insoldier- 
id  his  ar- 
ascended 
•re  formi- 
ects,  than 
tiough  he 

a  flood. 
1  the  fol- 
toward 
—losing, 
The  de- 
urnt  one 


/ 


W 


nil 

i! 


)ined  at 
es  from 
ith  Sul- 
nounted 
Senerals 
or's  ar- 
iedition 
ns  and 
moving 
^ree  of 
)ng  ad- 
which 
ly  they 
meniy, 
an  set- 
1  olher 


Sullivan 
e  "very 


I 


'  fl 


<,<- 


it 


I 


I 


I 


'tt> 


!  1   f    . 


!>rE  or-'  iSM.i 


■  '    ius   been 

■    '     and  Iii.s 

tiftr  (lis*- 

->   wore 

■    ''"^ 
■iier- 

'^i  «*  «N«  ^l*t  <rf  Juiy,  a)  u.itnJ 

'  -ai  esrxidition  far  more  ibrnji. 

■  '    ■   !  >    • '>*ef  respt'cts,  thai) 

"*        -''.ughho 

g  been  joinwl  nt 

•      iiTigs  levies  irom 

■         •    ■  iiniotion  Mnth  ,Sii|„ 

^    brigades  ol    i  ,,      ,,,|^ 
'  with  Prooiois  ar- 

><■ 
.  ..d- 

'hK'h 

.  ■  ■  (iuiiiii)  set- 

.  "1,  t"id  oilitti- 


[1779, 


"  li  I)  i:  i:    ()  ]■■    li  \  !■  I  I   |,; 


*!.K.,I, 


U  i:^  ^  i^  k 


>6-ii&iUt, 


a 


P 


oiie 


iii- 
uy  thoy 


•'  H  I'  1^   H     I'  r     Al  A  i;  (     II 


I  I  I   I  I   I   I 


P     m. 


I 


i 
I 


I 


it 
it 


It 


I 


I 


H,^ 

J);. 

f 


Ih 


f  ■ 


f" 


h-  II 


1779.] 


BATTLK   OF   THE   CHEMUNG. 


19 


The  Indians,  determined  to  risk  a  general  action  in  defence 
of  tiicir  country,  iiad  selected  their  ground  with  judgment, 
about  a  mile  ni  advance  of  Newtown.*     Their  force  was  esti- 
mated by  General  Sullivan  at  fifteen  hundred,  including  five 
conipanies  of  British  troops  and  rani^ers,  estimated  at  tAvo  hun- 
dred nien.     I^he  enemy,  however,  only  allowed  their  force  to 
con^ast  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  Indians,  and  two  hundred  and 
fifty  whites-in  all,  eight  hundred.t      Brant  commanded  the 
Indians,  and  the  regular  troops  and  rangers  were  led  by  Colonel 
Jolm  Butler,  associated  with  whom  were  Col^nels  Sir  John  and 
Guy  Johnson,  Major  Walter  N.  Butler,  and  Captain  M'Donald  t 
Ihe  enemy  had  constructed  a  breast-work  of  half  a  mile  in 
length,  so  covered  by  a  bend  of  the  river  as  to  expose  only  the 
front  and  one  of  the  flanks  to  attack  ;  and  even  that  flank  was 
midered  difficult  of  approach  by  resting  upon  a  steep  ridge, 
nearly  parallel  to  the  general  course  of  the  river,  terminatinc^ 
somewhat  below  the  breast-work.     Farther  yet  to  the  left  was 
sti    another  ndge,  running  in  the  same  direction,  and  leadino- 
to  the  rear  of  the  American  army.     The  ground  w*as  covered 
With  pine,  mterspersed  with  low  shrub  oaks,  many  of  which 
for  the  purpose  of  concealing  their  works,  had  been  cut  and 
brought  from  a  distance,  and  stuck  down  in  their  front   ex- 
«  hibiting  the  appearance  of  untransplanted  shrubbery     The 
«  road,  after  crossing  a  deep  brook  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  turned 
«  to  the  right,  and  ran  nearly  parallel  to  the  breast-work,  so  as 
to  expose  the  whole  flank  of  the  army  to  their  fire  should  it 
"advance  without  discovering  their  position." §     Detachments 
of  the  enemy,  communicating  with  each  other,  were  stationed 
on  both  hills,  for  the  purpose  of  falling  upon  Sullivan's  ri<rht 
and  rear  the  moment  the  action  should  commence.  "^ 

The  enemy's  position  was  discovered  by  Major  Parr,  com- 
manding the  advance  guard,  at  about  11  o'clock  in  the  mornincr 
of  the  29th  of  August.  General  Hand  immediately  formed  the 
light  infantry  in  a  wood,  at  the  distance  of  about  four  hundred 
yards  from  the  breast-work,  and  waited  until  the  main  body  of 

•  Tho  site  of  the  present  town  ofEImira.  +  Gordon 

t  It  isnot  quite  certain  whether  both  the  Johnsons  were  engaged  in  thrnc.ion. 

S.r  John  was  ti>ere  and  the,  author  has  somewhere  seen  the  name  of  Guy  John^oft 

as  hiivmg  hkrw.so  heen  m  ihe  battle  of  the  Cheinuntr 
§  Marshall.  ^' 


V 
I'l 


il 


i-. 


t  u 


80 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


the  army  arrived  on  the  ground.     A  skirmishing  was, ! 


[1779. 


,  r^  — " a  ..«-,  however, 

kept  up  by  both  sides—the  Indians  sallying  out  of  their  works 
by  small  parties,  firing,  and  suddenly  retreating— making  the 
woods  at  the  same  time  to  resound  with  their  war-whoops, 
piercmg  the  air  from  point  to  point  as  though  the  tangled  forest 
were  ah  vo  with  their  grim-visaged  warriors.     Correctly  judging 
that  the  hill  upon  his  right  was  occupied  by  the  savages,  General 
Sullivan   ordered   Poor's  brigade  to  wheel  off,  and  endeavor 
to  gain  their  left  flank,  and,  if  possible,  to  surround  them,  while 
the  artillery  and  main  body  of  the  Americans  attacked  them  in 
front.*     The  order  was  promptly  executed  ;  but  as  Poor  climbed 
the  ascent,  the  battle  became  animated,  and  the  possession  of  the 
lull  was  bravely  contested.     In  front  the  enemy  stood  a  hot 
cannonade  for  more  than  two  hours.t    Both  Tories  and  Indians 
were  entitled  to  the  credit  of  fighting  manfully.     Every  rock, 
anc^  tree,  and  bush,  shielded  its  man,  from  behind  which  the 
winged  messengers  of  death  were  thickly  sent,  but  with  so  little 
eflTect  as  to  excite  astonishment.     The  Indians  yielde  i  ground 
only  inch  \fy  inch  ;  and  in  their  retreat  darted  from  tree  to  tree 
with  the  agility  of  the  panther,  often  contesting  each  new  posi- 
tion to  the  point  of  the  bayonet-a  thing  very  unusual  even 
with  militiamen,  and  still  more  rare  among  the  undisciplined 
warriors  of  the  woods.     Thayendanegea  was  the  animating 
spirit  of  the  savages.    Always  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  he 
used  every  effort  to  stimulate  his  warriors,  in  the  hope  of  lead 
ing  them  to  victory.     Until  the  artillery  began  to  play,  the 
whoops  and  yells  of  the  savages,  mingled  with  the  rattling  of 
musketry,  had  well-nigh  obtained  the  mastery  of  sound.     But 
their  whoops  were  measurably  drowned  by  the  thunder  of  the 
cannon.     This  cannonade  «  was  elegant,"  to  adopt  the  phraso- 
olo,gy  of  Sullivan  himself,  in  writing  to  a  friend,  and  gave  the 
Indians  a  great  panic.    Still,  the  battle  was  contested  in  front 
for  a  length  of  time  with  undiminished  spirit.     But  the  severity 
of  fighting  was  on  the  flank  just  described.    As  Poor  gallantly 
approached  the  point  which  completely  uncovered  the^enemy's 
rear.  Brant,  who  had  been  the  first  to  penetrate  the  design  of  the 
American  commander,  attempted  once  more  to  rally  his  forces, 
and  vnth  the  assistance  of  a  battalion  of  the  ranger«  make  a 

*  Letter  from  Genera!  Sullivan  to  a  £;entleman  in  Boston 
t  Idem.    Vide  Remembrancer,  vol.  vii. 


m 


[1779. 


I779.J 


BATTLE   OP   THE   CHEMUNG. 


21 

utmost  for  that  pnrposc-dy.ug  fro.n  point  to  point,  seemin..  to 

be  everyvvhere  present,  unci  nsing  every  moans  in    us  nruer  to 

'       folTn""'"  ::  ""^^^'"'  ^P'"''^'  "^^  re-invigorate  the  ^ns  of    is 

vhliout  fultermg,  the  enemy's  flank  wa.  turned  by  Poor   and 

and  that  there  w.ts  danger  of  being  surrounded,  the  retreat 
h^o  was  raised,  and  the  enemy,  savages  and  white  men,  p  e- 
cip  lately  abandoned  their  works,  crossed  the  river,  and  fled 
wuh  the  u^jnost  precipitation-tho  Indians  leavmg  their  packs 
hem'  "r:,^;;«^/h-^*7-hawksand  scalping-kmves  behmd 
hem     Tlie  battle  was  long,  and  on  the  side  of  the  enemy 
bloody.      Eleveiz  of  their  de.d  were  found  upon  the  field-mi 
unusual  c.reurnstance  with  the  Indians,  who  invariably  exe^ 
.hemse  ves  to  the  utmost  to  prevent  the  bodies  of  their  Tin 
fro.n  falhng  mto  mc  hands  of  their  foes.    But  bein..  p,  Ld  a" 
he  pomt  of  the  bayonet,  they  had  not  time  to  bear  them    i; 
rhey  were  pursued  two  miles,  their  trail  aflbrding  indubilbfe 
proof  amt  a  portion  of  their  dead  and  wounded  had  lx.ent med 

of  fourteen  Indian  warriors  were  discovered  partially  buried 
among  the  leaves.  Eight  scalps  were  taken  by  the  Amer ic^s 
durmg  the  chose.f     Considering  the  duration  oaiie  baUle,  aTd 

son's  Narrative,  spelt  o7aecd  Z.^ZX  "^^l  T""  ^  '^  ''"'- 
Newtown  called  the  Narrows-"  WlirTur  <f.        "  "'  "  P'""*^  "^'^ 

Who  .illea  the.  .„  great  nlhe^^^:^;  J^:  S::::!':^::  ^^  -"' 

Z:Z  Cap..  Fowler,  in  the  author,  possesion.  co.nn.e„.s  ZTJ^X  Z 

t  "  On  the  next  morning  [after  Sullivan's  arrival  at  Catharine's  town  1  »       ,a 
woman  of  theCayuTa  nation  was  inimH  in  iU  j      ^    "^""*'  ^  '°*'"'J  an  old 

loa».ftho.rconne..on.    In  addition,  she  assured  us  .hat  so.„e  otVer  wa'^C  had 


rl:. 


;*■•■,  I 

ft. 


li 


22 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


1\77<J. 


tlio  olmtumcy  wi(li  which  it  wixa  muintuincd.  tho  loss  of  the 
AnioncaiiN  was  small  almost  to  n  miracle.  Only  live  or  six 
mou  worn  k.llfd,  and  l)etwceii  forty  mid  lifty  wounded.  Amonif 
tho  Atuonean  olliccrs  womuled  were  Major  Titcomb,  (\,ntnin 
Unycs,  nnd  Lieutenant  Collis-the  latter  mortally.  All  tho 
louses  ol  (he  contiguous  ludian  town  were  burnt,  and  therorn- 
liolds  destroyed.* 

The  A.n<!rieans  encamped  that  night  on  the  field  of  battle 
"lid  o„  the  following  day,  the  wounded,  together  with  the  heavy 
arliUery,  and  wjigons,  and  all  such  portions  of  the  bag<rnrre  as 
would  not  bo  required,  and  could  not  well  be  transported  fn  tho 
f  arth.M-  prosecution  of  the  flying  campaign  now  to  be  performed 
wore  sent  back  to  Tioga.     Only  four  brass  three-pounders  and 
n  small  howitzer  were  retained  ;  and  the  whole  army  was  at 
once  placed  upon  short  allowance,_thesoldiers  submittino-cheer- 
liHly  to  the  requisition,  the  moment  the  necessity  of  the  r^easure 
was  oxphuned  to  them  in  a  speech  by  their  commander.     These 
and  other  dispositions  having  been  made,  the  army  moved  for- 
w.u-d  on  the  31st,  in  the  direction  of  Catharine's  town,  situated 

mot  n„||„r  «t  llmt  pl«ce,  and  desired  him  to  return  and  fight  a^ain.  But  to  Ihi.  re- 
qu..Ht  llM.y  c.„„ld  ol„„in  no  sutiBfactory  answer;  for,  a.  th.v  observed,  'Butler's 
monlh  «.«,  cloned.'  Tho  warriors,  v,  ho  hud  been  in  the  action,  were  equally  a  r'o 
to  ihn  prniimnV'-SuUivan's  Official  Account. 

♦  The  strength  of  the  enemy's  force  at  Newtown  was  never  a«certained  with  any 
d.<j;rrn  of  .•erlumty  ;  nl.houoh,  as  heretofore  stut.d  in  the  text,  it  was  the  opinion  of 
Ru  hvnn,  an.l  «Uo  of  h.s  .encral  otT.ce.'s,  that  it  must  have  exceeded  fifteen  hundred 
Nill,  thetwo  prmoner*  taken  estimated  them  only  at  ei.ht  hunted.     They  admUted 
.owever,  that  in  ad.li.ion  to  the  five  companies  of  rangers  ...gagod  in  the  action,  all 
the  warriors  of  the  Senccas.  and  six  other  nations  of  Indians,  were  enoanrd     In  or- 

une  I.  ( .enerni  5.,j^hvan  exammed  their  breast-work,  the  extent  of  which  wns  more 
than  u.|f  „  ..,„...  The  lines  were  flanked  in  every  part  by  bastions  in  front,  and  a 
d.vellin«.honso  also,  in  fmnt  of  the  works,  had  been  converted  into  a  hlock-hou.e 
and  nuinncd.  The  breas,-work  appeared  to  have  been  fully  manned,  though  as 
Sullivan  suppose,!,  by  only  a  single  rank.  Some  part  of  the  works  be  in.  lo^  the 
onorny  were  compelled  to  di,  holes  in  th^  ground  to  cover  themselves  in^parT  A 
very  thm  .c«  tormg    ine.  designed,  as  was  supposed,  for  communicating    "naln 

PoorT  '""     .     "  I'Tr""'  '°  """  P"'  °^  "'^  '""'■"'"'"  --nded  by^  General 
Poor,  where  a  large  body  had  been  stationed,  as  heretofore  stated,  for  the  purpoi^ f 
fallino  upon  the  flank  of.he  Americans.    The  distance  from  the  breast-wor     o  t  a 
point  was  at  least  one  mile  and  a  half.     From  thence  to  the  hill  on  the  Amencan 
nght  was  another  scattering  line  of  about  one  mile,  and  on  the  hill  a  breast  wTk 
with  a  strong  party,  destined,  as  it  was  supposed,  to  fall  upon  the  Amer  can  rear' 

^:'s:;;s:^s:^:^^'^«~--^-""-.i,readymeZ^^ 


i 


« 


'■■■  ~tl 


,'1779. 

OSS  of  tlio 
live  or  six 
.  Amonjf 
b,  Cnptnin 
.  All  tiio 
i  tlic  (.'orn- 

of  hnftle , 
the  heavy 
nggnge  as 
•ted  in  the 
lerformed, 
iders  and 
riy  was  at 
iiiErclieer- 
!  measure 
.  These 
lovcd  for- 
,  situated 

It  to  this  re- 
el, 'ButllT's 
ually  overpe 

cd  with  any 
p  npinion  of 
sn  hiinrJr<'(). 
y  admitted, 
c  action,  all 
cd.  In  or- 
)uld  bo  at- 
^1  was  more 
■ont,  and  a 
'lock-house 

though,    88 

ig  low,  the 
n  part.  A 
Ig  signals, 
»y  Genera! 
purpose  of 
ork  to  that 
American 
east-work, 
rican  rear, 
ntioned.— 


t7T'J.\ 


■iULMVAN's   CAMPAIGN. 


98 


near  the  h.'ad  of  Senucu  Lake,  and  the  residence  of  the  cele- 
hruted  (Juthunno  Montour.     On  their  way  tliither.  Sullivan  de- 
stroyed  a  small  settlement  of  eight  liouses,  and  u  town  called 
Knawaholeo,  of  about  twenty  houses,  situated  on  a  peninsula 
at  the  contiux  of  the  Tioga  and  Cayuga  branches.     Several 
corn-fields  were  destroyed  at  this  place,  and  a  number  of  others, 
ulso  very  large,  about  six  miles  up  the  Tioga,  by  Colonel  Dayton 
and  the  rifle  corps,  who  were  detached  tliither  upon  that  service. 
The  Indians  and  Tories  acted  unwisely  in  retreatino-  so  far 
us  they  did  from  the  battle  of  Newtown,  since  the  march  ol"  Sulli- 
van thence  to  Catharine's  town  was  of  the  moft  dilllcult  and 
fatiguing  description.     They  were  compelled  to  traverse  severtd 
narrow  and  dangerous  defiles  with  steep  hills  upon  either  side 
the  passage  of  which  might  have  been  rendered  exceedincWy 
aimoymg  to  their  invaders  by  a  vigilant  enemv.     The  route  hiv 
along  the  streams  ;  and  such  was  the  sinuous  course  of  one  of 
them,  almost  swelling  to  the  size  of  a  river,  that  they  ^vere 
obliged  to  ford  It  several  times-the  men  up  to  their  middle ;   n 
water.     Worse  than  all,  they  were  compelled  to  thread  their 
way  through  a  deep-tangled  hemlock  swamp.     The  hi.rht  came 
on  exceedingly  dark,  and  the  sutlerings  of  the  troops  were  o-rcat 
General  Sullivan  was  advised  not  to  enter  the  swamp  untU  the 
next  day,  but  he  rejected  the  counsel,  and  obstinately  pushed 
orward.     So  fatigued,  however,  was  the  army,  that  General 
Clinton  whose  division  brought  up  the  rear,  was  obliged  to  pa's 
he  night  in  the  swamp  without  pack  or  btigga-e."    Neither 
13rant  nor  the  Butlers  displayed  their  wonted  sagacity  on  this 
occc^ion,  or  the  Americans  might  have  been  mad°  to  sutler  se- 
verely for  Ujeir  rashness  in  penetrating  such  a  thicket  at  such 
an  hour.     The  excuse  of  the  Indians,  who  were  roastin<r  con 
not  many  miles  distant,  was,  that  the  way  was  so  bad,  and  the 
night  so  dark,  they  did  not  dream  of  SuUivairs  a.lvancincr  .u-der 
such  circumstances.  ° 

Disappointed  by  the  Oneidas,  upon  whose  assistance  General 
Sulhvan  had  counted  as  guides  and  nmners  throuo-h  the 
Indian  country,  but  only  four  of  whom  had  continued  with  the 
expedition,  the  General  despatched  one  of  these  from  Catha- 

unot  '7T  '''  T"'  "'  ''''''  "^^^''"'  ""^^  -  '-address,  c    1  n. 
upon  all  who  were  friendly  to  the  Americans,  to  prove  the  sin' 
licir  professions  by  juiuing  his  lui-x's  immediately. 


I: 


I   • 


Ml 


I 


eerily 


J I  i      j 

1 1    * 


24 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 

The  messenger,  Oneigat,  was  also  instructed  to  give  his  nation 
an  account  of  the  battle  at  Newtown.   He  did  not,  however,  rejoin 
the  expedition  until  near  its  close.     He  then  reported  that  on 
his  arrival  at  the  Oneida  castle,  a  council  was  convened,  and 
that  his  people  were  delighted  with  the  news  of  which  he  was 
the  bearer.     Obedient,  moreover,  to  the  summons  which  he  had 
borne  thither,  seventy  of  their  warriors  had  set  out  with  him 
to  join  the  army,  and  thirty  more  were  to  follow  the  next  day. 
But  on  that  day,  near  the  Onondaga  village,  they  met  fhoii 
brother,  Conowaga,  from  the  army,  who  informed  them  that  the 
General  had  already  advanced  as  far  as  Kanasadagea,  and  had 
men  enough— only  wanting  a  few  good  guides.     In  conse 
quence  of  this  information,  the  Oneida  warriors  had  turned 
back— transmitting,  however,  by  him,  m  address  to  the  General, 
interceding  in  behalf  of  a  clan  of  the  Cayugas,  who,  they  de 
Glared,  had  always  been  friendly  to  the  United  States.     As  an 
evidence  of  this  fact,  they  referred  to  the  cases  of  several  prison- 
ers, who,  as  it  was  alleged,  had  been  surrendered  by  them  to 
General  Schuyler.     The  Oneidas,  therefore,  besought  General 
Sullivan  not  to  destroy  the  fields  of  these  friendly  Cayugas 
who.  If  deprived  of  their  corn,  would  fall  upon  them  for  support, 
and  they  already  had  a  heavy  burden  upon  their  hands  in  the 
persons  of  the  destitute  Onondagas.    General  Sullivan  imme- 
diately sent  a  speech  in  reply,  commending  the  Oneidas  for 
their  fidelity  to  the  United  States,  but  expressing  his  surprise 
at  their  interposing  a  word  in  behalf  of  any  portion  of  the 
Cayxigas,  whose  whole  course  had  been  marked,  not  only  by 
duplicity,  but  by  positive  hostility.    He  therefore   distin^^tly 
informed  the  Oneidas  that  the   Cayugas  should  te  chastised. 
Nor  did  he  fail  to  execute  his  purpose,  as  will  in  due  time  ap- 
pear.* ' 

The  brigade  of  General  Clinton  rejoined  the  main  army  on 
the  2d  of  September,  and  the  whole  encamped  at  Catharine's 
town,  which  was  entirely  destroyed  on  the  following  day,  to- 
gether with  the  corn-fields  and  orchards.  The  houses,  thirty 
m  number,  were  burnt.  The  work  of  destruction,  marking  that 
extraordinary  campaign,  was  now  begun  in  earnest.  It  was 
considered  necessary  by  the  Commander-in-chief,  or  his  orders 

♦  See  Sullivan's  a  MrcHg,  and  the  message  of  the  Oneidas  in  reply,  AInion's  Re- 
membrancer,  for  1780,  Part  I.  ^ 


J 

f 


[1779. 

^e  his  nation 
veVer,  rejoin 
•ted  that  on 
livened,  and 
tiich  he  was 
hich  he  had 
It  with  him 
le  next  day. 
J  met  thoii 
em  that  the 
Ba,  and  had 

In  conse 
tiad  turned 
le  General, 
o,  they  de 
es.  As  an 
jral  prison - 
)y  them  to 
It  General 

Cayngas, 
or  support, 
inds  in  the 
van  imme- 
neidas  for 
is  surprise 
ion  of  the 
5t  only  by 
distinctly 
chastised. 
3  time  ap- 

i  army  on 
■atharine's 
g  day,  to- 
ses,  thirty 
rking  that 
.  It  was 
fiis  orders 

million's  Re- 


1779.] 


SULLIVAN'S    CAMPAIGN. 


25 


would  not  have  been  so  peremptory  upon  the  subject,  nor  his 
satisfactiou  so  great  after  its  accomplishment.*  Still,  at  this  dis- 
tance of  time,  when  the  mind  glances  back  not  only  to  the  num- 
ber of  towns  destroyed,  and  fields  laid  waste,  but  to  the  war 
of  extermination  waged  against  the  very  orchards,  it  is  difficult 
to  suppress  feelings  of  regret— much  less  to  bestow  a  word  of 
commendation.  It  has  been  asserted  that  some  of  the  officers 
among  whom  were  General  Hand  and  Colonel  Durbin,  objected 
to  this  wanton  destruction  of  the  fruit-trees,  as  discreditable  to 
American  soldiers  ;  but  the  Indians  had  been  long  and  cruelly 
provoking  the  Americans  by  the  ferocity  o^  their  attacks  upon 
the  border  settlements,  and  it  had  been  judged  expedient  to  let 
the  arm  of  vengeance  fall  heavily  upon  them.  «  The  Indians  » 
said  Sullivan,  "shall  see  that  there  is  malice  enough  in  our 
"  hearts  to  destroy  every  thing  that  contributes  to  their  support  -"t 
and  well  did  he  fulfil  the  threat.  ' 

The  comparative  state  of  civilization  to  which  the  SixlSa- 
tions  had  arrived,  has  been  glanced  at  in  the  opening  of  the  pre- 
sent chapter.    Still  it  is  apprehended  that  but  few  of  the  present 
generation  are  thoroughly  aware  of  the  advances  which  the  In- 
dians, in  the  wide  and  beautiful  country  of  the  Cayugas  and 
Senecas,  ha^  made  in  the  march  of  civilization.    They  had 
several  towns,  and  many  large  villages,  laid  out  with  a  conside- 
rable degree  of  regularity.     They  had  framed  houses,  some  ot 
them  well  finished,  naving  cliimneys,  and  painted.     They  had 
broad  and  productive  fields  ;  and  in  addition  to  an  abundance  ot 
apples,  were  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  pear,  and  the  still  more 
delicious  peach.    But  after  the  battle  of  Ne^vtown,  terror  led 
the  van  of  the  invader,  whose  approach  was  heralded  by  watch- 
men stationed  upon  every  height,  and  desolation  followed  weep- 
ing  in  his  train.     The  Indians  everywhere  fied  as  Sullivan  ad- 
vanced,  and  the  whole  country  was  swept  as  with  the  besom  of 
destruction.    On  the  4th,  as  the  army  advanced,  they  destroyed 
a  small  scattering  settlement  of  eight  houses ;  and  two  days  after- 
ward  reached  the  more  considerable  town  of  Kendaia,  contain- 
mg  about  twenty  houses  neatly  built,  and  well  finished.     These 

PrLHrn/Tr"*"  '^'"'J"""^"  '°  «'''°-'  J«l-  r-urcns,  Sept.  23.  1779;  to  the 
President  of  Congress,  Oct.  9;  and  to  the  Marquis  dc  Lafayette,  October  20  of 
the  game  year— S;)atA;,,  Vol.  vi.  ^      '  ^'-'"'"^'^  ^"<  "' 

t  Gordon. 

VOL.  II.  3 


M 


m 


ff, 


I 


1    lii. 


'  'fl 


(■ 


26 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


m   I 


i 


[1779. 


were  reduced  to  ashes,  and  the  army  spent  nearly  a  day  in  de- 
stroying the  fields  of  com  and  the  fruit-trees.  Of  theJe  there 
were  great  abundance,  and  many  of  them  appeared  to  be  very  an- 

rt.     .     t  w  '  '"^'^'^'  '^'^  ^™y  was  joined  by  one  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Wyommg,  a  captive  who  had  escaped  from  the 
Indians.     He  informed  them  that  all  had  been  terror  amono-  the 
Indians  since  the  battle  of  Newtown,  and  that  Kendaia  had'been 
deserted  two  days  before  in  the  greatest  confusion.     He  like- 
wise stated  various  reasons  for  believing  that  the  enemy  had  suf 
fered  greatly  in  that  battle-that  he  had  heard  some  of  the  Indian 
women  lamenting  the  loss  of  their  connexions,  and  that  Brant 
had  taken  most  of  the  wounded  up  the  Tioga  river  in  water 
cralt,  which  had  been  previously  made  ready  in  case  of  defeat 
I  was  farther  believed  that  the  King  of  Kanadaseagea  hod  been 
killed  at  Newtown.     He  had  been  seen  on  his  way  thither 

andner  r'  '''"™^-  •  ^™^^  ''''  '^^^^"P^^'^"  -^^^«"  ^^  his  dress 
and  person,  moreover,  it  was  believed  by  General  Sullivan  that 
ne  had  seen  his  body  among  the  slain. 

On  the  7th  of  September,  Sullivan  'crossed  the  outlet  of  tlie 

Seneca  Lake,  and  moved  in  three  divisions  upon  the  town  of 

Kanada.eagea-the    Seneca  capital-containing   about   sixty 

houses,  Avith  gardens,  and  numerous  orchards  of  apple  and  peach 

trees.    It  was  Sullivan's  object  to  surround  the  town,  and  take 

It  by  surprise.    But,  although  Butler  had  endeavored  to  induce 

the  Indians  to  rnake  a  stand  at  that  place,  his  importunities  were 

of  no  avail.     They  said  it  wa.  of  no  use  to  contend  with  sUch 

an  army ;  and  their  capital  was  consequently  abandoned,  as  the 

other  towns  had  been,  befoie  the  Americans  could  reach  it.     A 

detachment  of  four  hundred  men  was  sent  down  on  the  west 

in  r  il  ; '"  r*'"^  GJotheseunquean,*  and  the  plantations 
n  the  neighborhood ;  while  at  the  same  time  a  number  of  vo- 
lunteers, under  Colonel  Harper,  made  a  forced  march  in  the 
direction  of  the  Cayuga  Lake,  and  destroyed  Schoyere.  Mean- 
time  the  residue  of  the  army  was  employed,  on  the  8th,  in  the 
destruction  of  the  town,  together  with  the  fruit-trees,  and  fields 
of  corn  and  beans  t  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  work  of  kestruction 
was  thorough  and  complete. 

*il  I^:Z'^''tlZlT:'  f  ""'","•  ?""  '"'^'"'  ~"' '"  -  P«^  «-  ba«s  of 


[1779. 

I  day  in  do- 
th ese  there 

1  beA'ery  an- 
'{  one  of  the 
ed  from  tho 

among  tho 

ia  had  been 

He  like- 

ny  had  suf- 

the  Indian 
that  Brant 
r  in  water 

2  of  defeat, 
a  had  been 
ly  thither, 
»f  his  dress 
llivan  that 

tlet  of  tlie 
9  town  of 
'Out  sixty 
and  peach 
I  and  take 

to  induce 
lities  were 
with  slich 
led,  as  the 
Lch  it.    A 

the  west 
lantations 
er  of  vo- 
h  in  the 
.  Mean- 
th, in  the 
ind  fields 
istruction 


the  bafiis  of 

lUgUBSh. 


1779.] 


svllivan's  campaign. 


27 


In  leaving  theii  town,  the  Indians  had  tied  witii  such  preci- 
pitancy that  a  young  white  male  child,  about  seven  or  ei.rht 
years  old,  was  left  behind,  asleep.    It  was  taken  in  charge ''by 
an  officer,  who,  from  ill  health,  was  not  on  duly.     In  nrtirino- 
from  the  campaign,  for  the  same  cause,  he  took  the  child  with 
him,  and  nothing  more  of  its  history  is  known.     This  fljo-lit 
of  the  Indians  was  universal ;  and  of  all  commanders,  Sullivan 
seems  to  have  been  least  successful  in  finding  tlie  enemy  of 
whom  he  was  in  search,  save  only  when  the  enemy  wished  to 
be  foimd.     Upon  this  feature  of  the  present  campaign  it  has 
been  remarked,  that  although  the  bravery  of  this  officer  was  un- 
impeachable, yet   he  Wiis  altogether   unacquainted  with   the 
science  of  Indian  warfare,  and  wtis  sure  to  use  the  best  means 
to  keep  the  savages  at  such  a  distance,  that  they  could  not  be 
brought  unwillingly  to  an  engagement.     For  instance,  he  per- 
sisted m  the  practice  of  having  cannon  fired  from  his  camp 
mornmgs  and  evenings,  forgetting  what  every  one  else  perceived^ 
that  the  Indians  were  thus  notified  of  his  position  and  the  rapi- 
dity of  his  marches— thus  being  enabled  daily  to  retreat  from 
his  approach  exactly  in  time.* 

From  this  point  a  detachment  of  sixty  men,  with  the  lame 
and  sick,  was  sent  back  to  Tioga.  The  main  army  then  moved 
forward  upon  Kanandaigua,  at  which  place  it  arrived  in  two 
days.  Here  they  "found  twenty-three  very  elegant  houses, 
"  mostly  framed,  and  in  general  Iarge,"t  together  with  very  ex- 
tensive fields  t)f  corn— all  of  which  were  destroyed.  From 
Kanandaigua  they  proceeded  to  the  small  town  of  Honeoye,  con- 
sisting of  ten  houses,  which  were  immediately  burnt  to  the 
ground.  A  post  was  established  at  Honeoye,  to  maintain  which 
a  strong  garrison  was  left,  with  the  heavy  stores  and  one  field- 
piece.  With  this  precautionary  measiire  the  army  prepared  to 
advance  upon  the  yet  more  considerable  town  of  Genese^-^— the 
great  capital  of  the  western  tribes  of  the  confederacy-contain- 
ing their  stores,  and  their  broadest  cultivated  fields. 

Hearing  of  Sullivan's  continued  advance,  and  of  his  purpose 
to  strilce  their  towns  upon  the  Genesee,  the  Indians  once  more 
began  to  think  of  giving  battle.  A  council  of  their  towns  was 
convened,  the  v^nh  of  which  was  a  determination  to  intercept 

♦  Letter  of  .Tohn  Salmon,  in  tho  Appendix  of  Mary  Jomison's  Life, 
T  Ciencral  Sullivati's  official  account. 


.( 


*iu 


^l'^  = 


'I 


28 


LIPK    OP    BRANT. 


[1779. 

the  invaders,  and  strike  anotlier  blow  in  defence  of  their  homes. 
1  hey  felt  that  if  unopposed.,  k  e  destruction  of  their  towns  would 
be  inevitable,  and  their  fate  could  be  no  worse  should  they  meet 
and  fight  the  conqueror— whatever  might  be  the  result.     Their 
first  precaution  was  to  place  their  women  and  children  in  a 
place  of  security,  in  the  woods  at  a  distance  from  their  town  ;  so 
that,  in  the  event  of  being  themselves  defeated,  the  non-combatants 
would  have  an  opportunity  to  escape.     Having  made  their  pre- 
parations, the  warriors  took  the  field  again— selecting  for  their 
battle-ground  a  position  between  Honeoye  Creek  and  the  head 
of  Connissius  Lake.*     Placing  themselves  in  ambush,  they 
awaited  the  approach  of  Sullivan's  forces.     They  rose,  liowever 
upon  the  advance-guard  of  the  Americans,  and  after  a  brisk 
skirmish,  the  latier  fell  back  upon  the  main  body-of  which  the 
Indians  did  not  await  the  arrival.     The  only  fruit  of  this  attack 
o.-  behalf  of  the  Indians,  was  the  capture  of  two  Indian  prison- 
ers of  the  Oneida  tribe.     Of  itself,  this  incident  was  inswrnfi- 
'-ant;  but  a  transaction  grew  out  of  it  of  thriUinjr  interest,  and 
strongly  illustrative  of  Indian  character.     One  of  the  Indians 
thus  taken,  was  General  Sullivan's  guide,  and  had,  moreover 
been  very  active  in  the  contest,  rendering  the  Americans  fre- 
quent and  important  services.     On  that  account  he  was  a  prison- 
er of  consequence.     But  there  was  another  feature  in  the  case 
not  altogether  unworthy  of  note.     This  faithful  Indian  had  an 
elder  brother  engaged  with  the  enemy,  who,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war,  had  exerted  all  his  power  to  persuade  the  younger  into 
tho  British  service  also,  but  without  success.    At  the  close  of  this 
skirmish  the  brothers  met  for  the  first  time  since  their  separation 
when  they  had  respectively  chosen  to  travel  different  war-paths  • 
tne  younger  a  prisoner  to  the  elder.     The  latter  had  no  sooner 
recognized  his  brother  after  the  mel^e,  than  his  eyes  kindled 
with  that  fierce  and  peculiar  lustre  which  lights  up  the  bumino- 
eyes  of  a  savage  when  meditating  vengeance.    Approachin- 
him  haughtily,  he  spoke  as  follows  :— 

"  Brother  !  You  have  .^lerited  death !  The  hatchet  or  the 
war-club  shall  finish  your  career  !  When  I  begged  of  ai  to 
follow  me  m  the  fortunes  of  war,  you  were  deaf  to  my 'cries  • 
you  spurned  my  entreaties  ! 

•  At  or  neaika  place  now  called  Henderson's  Flatts.    Vide  Life  of  Marv  Jemi 
■on  and  letter  of  Jolin  Salmon.  ^  *'*"' 


fl779. 

their  homes, 
owns  would 
Id  they  meet 
lilt.     Their 
hildren  in  a 
ir  town  ;  so 
-combatants 
le  tlieir  pre- 
ig  for  their 
id  the  head 
ibush,  they 
a,  however, 
ter  a  brisk 
f  which  the 
this  attack, 
iian  prison- 
is  insignifi- 
iterest,  and 
he  Indians 

moreover, 
ricans  fre- 
is  a  prison- 
n  the  case 
an  had  an 
ginning  of 
unger  into 
lose  of  this 
separation, 
var-paths ; 

no  sooner 
es  kindled 
e  burning 
preaching 

het  or  the 
of  j  ou  to 
my  cries : 

Mary  Jemi 


I779.J 


THE    ONEIDA   BROTHEB,S. 


29 


r 


4 


«  Brother  !  You  have  merited  death,  and  shall  have  your 
deserts  !  When  the  rebels  raised  their  hatchets  to  fight  their 
good  master,  you  sharpened  your  knife,  you  brightened  your 
rifle,  and  led  on  our  foes  to  the  fields  of  our  fathers  ! 

"  Brother  !  You  have  merited  death,  and  shall  die  by  our 
hands  !  When  those  rebels  had  driven  us  from  the  fields  of  our 
fathers  to  seek  out  new  houses,  it  was  you  who  could  dare  to 
step -forth  as  their  pilot,  and  conduct  them  even  to  the  doors  of 
our  wigwams,  to  batcher  our  children  and  put  us  to  death! 
No  crime  can  be.  greater  !  But  though  you  have  merited  death,' 
and  shall  die  on  tliis  spot,  my  hands  shall  not  be  stained  with  the 
blood  of  a  brotter  !—  Who  will  strike  ?" 

A  pause  of  but  a  moment  ensued.     The  bright  hatchet  of 

Little  Beard,  the  sachem  of  the  village,  flashed  in  the  air  like  the 

hghtning,  and  the  young  Oneida  chief  was  dead  at  his  feet  * 

The  other  captive,  who  was  also  an  Oneida  sachem,  was  then 

informed  by  Little  Beard  that  he  was  warring  only  against  the 

whites,  and  that  his  life  should  be  spared  ;  adding,  far'ther,  that 

at  a  suitable  time  he  should  be  restored  to  liberty.     Distrustino- 

the  good  faith  of  the  chief,  however,  the  captive  watched  an  oi^ 

portunity  for  escape,  and  very  shortly  afterward  accomplished 

his  purpose— but  in  a  manner  which  produced  another  tragic 

catastrophe,  as  will  presently  appear. 

From  Honeoye,  General  Sullivan  advanced  in  two  days  upon 
a  town  containing  twenty-five  houses,  called    Kana<rhsaws 
There  were  large  corn-fields  to  be  destroyed  here  also"  and  a 
bridge  to  be  constructed  over  an  unfordable  creek  intervenino 
between  Kanaghsaws  and  Little  Bsardstown,  lying  next  in  the 
route  to  Genesee— so  called  from  the  name  of  a  celebrated  chief 
then  residing  there.     While  delayed  by  these  obstacles,  Lieute 
nant  Boyd,  of  the  rifle  corps,  was  detached  with  twenty-six  aen 
to  reconnoitre  that  chieftain's  town,  where  also  was  a  castle 
Having  performed  that  duty,  and  in  doing  so  killed  and  scalped 
two  Indians  t  in  the  otherwise  deserted  village,  he  had  com- 
menced his  return  to  the  main  division.    It  so  happened  that 

*  This  was  truly  a  shocking  transaction,  but  not  so  siiocking  as  that  of  the  horri- 
b  e  ratr.c.de  before  recorded  at  Wyoming,  nor  so  shocking  as  the  attempt  of  the 
brother  of  Co  oncl  Frey  at  Ori.kany.  The  Indian  had  far  the  most  humanity,  and 
far  the  highest  sense  of  honor  and  duty. 

Mnl^r"'"^  Fowlcf's  Jonrnal.     Oi>e  of  these  Indians  was  shot  and  scalped  by 
Murphy,  whose  name  has  already  occurred  in  connexion  with  the  Schoharie  wan,. 


'  ■  r 
t 


I  f  ill'    ' 


t     '    i| 


!•! 


- 


•so 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


in 


[1771). 

Boyd  was  pas,sing  at  no  jrroat  distance  from  the  party  of  Indians 
having  the  Oneida  prisoner  in  charge.     The  latter  was  guarded 
by  two  Indians,  between  whom  iie  was  walking  arm  in  nrm, 
when,  at  a  favorable  moment,  he  suddenly  broke  from  tiieir 
grasp,  and  fled  at  the  top  of  his  speed  in  the  direction  of  Sulli- 
van's army.     The  Indians,  in  goodly  numbers,  turned  out  in 
pursmt,  and  while  mnning,  fell  in  with  the  party  of  Lieutenant 
iioyd.      By  this  time  the  Indians  in  pursuit  after  the  fuc^iiivo 
numbered  several  hundred,  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Joseph  Brant,  who  seems  suddenly  to  have  made  his  appeai-nnco 
for  the  occasion.!    Indeed,  according  to  one  autlcrity,  Brant 
was  not  concerned  with  the  pursuit,  but  had  previously  secreted 
himself  in  a  deep  ravine,  with  a  large  party  of  his  Indians  and 
Butler's  rangers,  for  the  express  purpose  of  cutting  oif  Boyd's 
retreat.t     Discovering  his  situation,  and  in  fact  sun-ounded  by 
fearful  odds,  Boyd  saw,  of  course,  that  his  only  chance  of  escape 
was  to  strike  at  some  given  point,  and  cut  his  way  through  tlia 
ranks  of  the  enemy.     It  was  a  bold  measure ;   but  there  was  no 
alternative,  and  he  made  three  successive  attempts  to  accomplish 
his  purpose.    In  the  first,  several  of  the  enemy  fell,  without  the 
loss  of  a  single  man  on  his  own  part.    But  he  was  repulsed. 
The  Indians  stood  their  ground  nobly ;  and  in  the  second  and 
third  attempts  upon  their  line  by  Boyd,  his  whole  party  fell  ex- 
cept himself  and  eight  others.     In  the  next  moment  several  of 
these  were  killed,  while  a  few  succeeded  in  flight— among  whom 
was  the  bold  Virginian,  Murphy.     Boyd  was  himself  taken  pri- 
soner,  and  one  other  man  namud  Parker.     The  Lieutenant  im- 
mediately  solicited  an  interview  with.  Thayendanegea,  and 
malcing  himself  known  as  a  freemason,  was  assured  by  the  chief 
of  protection.}    One  of  the  party  under  Lieutenant  Boyd  was  a 
brave  Oneida  warrior,  named  Honyerry,  who  served  him  as  a 
guide.     This  faithful  Indian  had  served  long  with  the  Ameri- 
cans,  and,  as  the  reader  has  already  seen,  was  particularly  dis^ 
tinguished  in  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  where  so  many  of  the 
Mohawk  and  Seneca  warriors  fell.     On  the  present  occasion, 
moreover,  he  acquitted  himself  with  signal  courage.    Being  an 

♦  LifoofMar)' .Temiaon. 

t  Captain  Fowler  and  .Tohn  Salmon  both  state  the  numberof  Indians  en^atrod  in 
this  affair  at  upward  of  five  hundred.  "  " 

t  John  Salmon's  letter.  x  i^^^ 


[1770. 

ty  of  Indiana 
was  guiirdftd 
inn  in  nrni, 
3  from  tlieir 
ion  of  Siiili- 
mod  out  in 
f  Lientenant 
the  fnciiivo 
;ommand  of 
I  appearance 
'irity,  Brant 
isly  socretod 
ndians  and 
:  off  Boyd's 
rounded  by 
:;e  of  escape 
hrou<rh  tliQ 
ere  was  no 
accomplish 
tvithout  tlio 
s  repulsed, 
second  and 
rty  fell  ex- 
several  of 
long  whom 
'taken  pri- 
tenant  im- 
legea,   and 
y  the  chief 
toyd  was  a 
him  as  a 
he  Ameri- 
ularly  diH' 
iiy  of  tho 
;  occasion, 
Being  an 


18  engaged  in 


1779.] 


FATE   OF   LIEUTENANT   BOYD. 


31 


excellent  marksman,  his  rifle  did  great  execution.  The  Indians 
knew  him,  and  as  they  closed  in.  upon  the  little  band,  poor 
Honyerry  was  literally  hacked  to  pieces.*  It  was  a  dear  victory, 
however,  to  the  enemy.  The  firing  was  so  close  before  the 
brave  party  was  destroyed,  that  the  powder  of  the  enemy's 
muskets  was  driven  into  their  flesh.  The  enemy  had  no  covert, 
while  Boyd's  party  was,  for  a  portion  of  the  time  at  least,  pos- 
sessed 0  f  a  very  advantageous  one.  The  enemy  were,  m jreover. 
so  long  employed  in  removing  their  dead,  that  the  approach  of 
General  Hand's  brigade  obliged  them  to  leave  one  of  the  numbei 
among  the  dead  riflemen  ;  together  with  a  wagon  load  of  paclif, 
blanlcets,  hats,  and  provisions,  which  they  had  thrown  oft  to 
enable  them  to  act  with  more  agility  in  the  field.t 

From  the  battle-field  Brant  conducted  Lieutenant  Boyd  and 
his  fellow  captive  to  Little  Beard's  town,  where  they  found  Co- 
lonel Butler  with  a  detachment  of  the  rangers.     While  under 
the  supervision  of  Brant,  the  Lieutenant  was  well  treated  and 
safe  from  danger.     But  the  chief  being  called  away  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  multifarious  duties,  Boyd  was  left  with  Butler, 
who  soon  afterward  began  to  examine  him  by  questions  as  to 
the  situation,  numbers,  and  intentions  of  General  Sullivan  and 
his  troops.    He,  of  course,  declined  answering  all  improper 
questions  ;  whereat  Butler  threatened  that  if  he  did  not  give  him 
full  and  explicit  information,  he  would  deliver  him  up  to  the 
lender  mercies  of  the  Indians.    Relying  confidently  upon  the 
assurances  of  the  generous  Mohawk  chieftain,  Boyd  still  refused, 
and  Butler  fulfilled  his  bloody  threat— delivering  him  over  to 
Little  Beard  and  his  clan,  the  most  ferocious  of  the  Seneca 
tribe.t    The  gallant  fellow  was  immediately  put  to  death  by 
torture  ;  and  in  the  execution  there  was  a  refinement  of  cruelty, 
3f  which  it  is  not  known  that  a  parall-''   distance  occurred 
durmg  the  whole  war.    Having  been  denuded,  Boyd  was  tied 
10  a  sapling,  where  the  Indians  first  practised  upon  the  steadi- 
less  of  his  nerves  by  hurling  their  tomahawks  apparently  at  his 
head,  but  so  as  to  strike  the  trunk  of  the  sapling  as  near  to  his 
head  as  possible  without  hitting  it-groups  of  Inaians,  in  the 
meantime,  brandishing  their  knives,  and  dancing  around  him 

•  Captain  Fowler's  Jonrnal.  t  Snllivan's  Official  Account 

.  .erif.r  or .  .a.mon.    Th-re  is  some  reason  to  tloubt  which  of  the  Butlers  was  the 
aclor  m  this  m.tanc^the  father,  Colonel  John,  or  the  more  severe  Captain,  his  son. 


v. 


r^ 


•II 


. 

•1 

''  ^'H 

32 


ttPE    OK   BRANT. 


11779. 


With  (he  most  frantic  demonstrations  of  joy.  His  nails  were 
pulled  out,h.s  nose  cut  olf,  and  one  of  h/eye7plud  ed  J 

places  After  amusing-  themselves  sufficiently  in  this  wav  a 
small  meision  was  made  in  his  abdomen,  and  the  n  of  me  of 
h.smestmes  taken  out  and  fastened  to 'the  tree.     The  v     im 

Zu  V  "  ""''""'^'  '^"'^  ^"^^"  ^^""'l  «^«  tree  by  brute  W 
untd  h:s  intesfnes  had  all  been  literally  drawn  from  h     bodv 

in  t  i  Lh    p  ""T    !r  ^:'  ^°^'^'-  '*  ^"'-^^  *'^^"  '^'^^^  "P'^"  -  pole 
n  tn  mph    Parker,  the  other  captive,  was  likewise  beheaded  but 

no  otherwise  tortured.     After  the  conclusion  of  this  tra  Jy  the 

I  Khans  held  a  brief  council  to  determine  whether  to  off  r^t 

fai^her  resistance  to  General  Sullivan,  or  to  yield  their  co  imrv 

ecliXftl"''^''^  "^^"^''""-     ^^^'-y^-Hycame7ll 
dec  sion  tha    they  were  not  sufficiently  powerful  to  oppose  the 

Sr  rV'"""'  ""'  ^'""•'""'^""  '^-^''^^  ^«  leave  their  pas! 
Shes  T^  P""^-^'^'-^'''"'"  "^  *'""'r  lives  and  those  of  their 
tohe  .  The  women  and  children  were  thereupon  sent  away 
m  the  direction  of  Nia-nu-a,  while  the  warriors  remained  in^hl 

^^  ^'"^  "^'''^  '°-"'  ^«  -^^»^  ^^^  -tions  :?  the 

Botd  Tp"  ''  *^  T"'"  ''''^'"■""  ^"*^  ^^'-^^^  «^  th«  situation  ot 
IhtyZTZ  <«7-.larriviu,,  however,  only  in  season 
to  buiy  the  bodies  of  the  slain.J  This  tragic  occurrence  took 
place  on  the  13th  of  September.  On  the  same  day  Sull  vL 
moved  forvvard  to  a  place  called  Gathtsegwarohare,  where  t^ 

maZ's  atd'trt"'  '''''''''  '''''  apparently  dispo^^Vt: 
make  a  stand     The  troops  were  immediately  brought  into  order 
of  battle,  and  General  Clinton's  brigade  commenced  a  m  vemen 
with  a  view  of  outflanking  and  gaining  the  enemy's  Tr     But 

♦  Sullivan's  Official  AccoiirK 

sZf  °-r  ^"'"=^"'" ''' """""  '^^-'  ou^an  Ch  wke?  :"i::f 


f 


[1779. 

s  nails  were 
plucked  out. 
i  in  various 
this  way,  a 
lid  of  one  of 
The  victim 
brute  force, 
m  his  bodv 
I  terminated 
upon  a  pole 
headed,  but 
ragedy,  the 
0  offer  any 
sir  country 
me  to  the 
oppose  the 
3  their  pos- 
se of  their 
sent  away 
ned  in  the 
ons  of  the 

tuation  ot 
in  season 
3nce  took 
Sullivan 
/^here  the 
sposed  to 
nto  order 
lovement 
ar.    But 


iftor  his  ex« 
lile  padaing 
liitn.  Rut 
the  official 
,  gives  fho 
rt'evor,  that 
memory,  it 

i  was  vety 


1779.J 


Sullivan's  campaign. 


33 


discovering  the  movement,  the  enemy  retreated  with  precipita- 
tion.  Suliivan  encamped  on  the  ground-the  men  sleepino-  on 
their  arms,  ui  tlie  expectation  of  an  attack.  But  the  enemy^did 
not  disturb  their  repose ;  and  on  the  14th  the  army  continued 
its  advance,  and  crossed  the  Genesee  river.  Arrivino'  at  Little 
Beard's  town,*  they  found  the  mutilated  bodies  of  Boyd  and 
Parlier,  which  were  buried  on  tlie  bank  of  Beard's  Creek,  under 
a  clump  of  wild  plum  trees.t 

The  valley  of  the  Genesee,  for  its  beauty  and  fertility,  was 
beheld  by  the  army  of  Sullivan  with  astonishment  and  delicrht. 
Though  an  Indian  country,  and  peopled  only  by  the  wild  men 
of  the  woods,  its  rich  intervales  presented  the  appearance  of 
long  cultivation,  and  were  then  smiling  with  their  harvests  of 
ripening  corn.    Indeed,  the  Indians  themselves  professed  not 
to  know  when  or  by  whom  the  lands  upon  that  stream  were 
first  brought  mto  cultivation.     Nearly  half  a  century  before 
Mary  Jenuson  had  observed  a  quantity  of  human  bones  washed 
down  fi-om  one  of  the  banks  of  the  river,  which  the  Indians  held 
were  not  the  remains  of  their  own  people,  but  of  a  different  race 
of  men  who  had  once  possessed  that  country.     The  Indians 
they  contended,  had  never  buried  their  dead  in  such  a  situa- 
tion.   Be  all  this,  however,  as  it  may,  instead  of  a  howlino- 
wilderness,  Sullivan  and  his  troops  found  the  Genesee  flatts,  and 
many  other  districts  of  the  country,  resembling  much  more  the 
orchards,  and  farms,  and  gardens  of  civilized  life.    But  all  was 
now  doomed  to  speedy  devastation.     The  Genesee  castle  was 
destroyed.     The  troops  scoured  the  whole  region  round  about 
and  burnt  and  destroyed  every  thi;.g  that  came  in  their  way' 
Little  Beard  himself  had  officiated  as  master  of  ceremonies  at 
the  torturing  of  Boyd;  and  his  vo^vn  was  now  burnt  to  the 
ground,  and  large  quantities  of  corn,  which  his  people  had  laid 
up  m  store,  were  destroyed  by  being  burnt  or  thrown  into  the 
river.    «  The  town  of  Genesee  contained  one  hundred  end 
« twenty-eight  houses,  mostly  large  and  very  elegant.    It  was 
"beautifully  situated,  almost  encircled  with  a  clear  flatt   ex 
« tending  a  number  of  miles ;  over  which  extensive  fields  of  corn 
"were  waving,  together  with  every.kind  of  vegetable  thatcould 
«be  conceived."!    But  the  entire  army  was  immediately  en- 

•  Tile  place  is  now  called  Leicester. 

'  On  the  road  no.  ruun.ng  from  Moscow  to  Geneseo.       ^  Sullivan's  Account. 


'■J  ■  \i 


i  ■ 

^^B 

- 1 

1 

i 

1 

i    -: 

I 

■y  ■ 

^^^H 

0 

1 

i« 

1 

,         ];t 

MH 

■-.-  .-  H 

i  ■  '  '  '■ 
■    f  ■ ' 

1 

11 


34 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 

gaged  in  destroying  it.  and  the  axe  and  the  torch  soon  liansform^ 
ed  the  whole  of  that  beautiful  region  from  the  character  of  a  gar- 
den to  a  scene  of  drear  and  sickening  desolation.    Forty  Indian 
towns,  the  largest  containing  one  hundred  and  twenty-eiaht 
houses,  were  destroyed.*     Corn,  gathered  and  unfathered,"  to 
the  amount  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  bushels,  shared 
the  same  fate ;  their  fruit-trees  were  cut  down  ;  and  the  Indians 
were  hunted  like  wild  beasts,  till  neither  house,  nor  fruit-tree,  nor 
field  of  corn,  nor  inhabitant,  remained  in  the  whole  country.  The 
gardens  were  enriched  with  great  quantities  of  useful  vegetables, 
of  different  kinds.     The  size  of  the  corn-fields,  as  well  as  the 
high  degree  of  cultivation  in  which  they  were  kept,  excited 
wonder  ;  and  the  ears  of  corn  were  so  remarkably  large,  that 
many  of  them  measured  twenty-two  inches  in  length.    So  nu- 
rperous  were  the  fruit-trees,  that  in  one  orchard  they  cut  down 
fifteen  hundred.t 

It  is  in  connexion  with  this  campaign  that  the  name  of  the 
celebrated  Seneca  orator,  Sagayewatha,  or  Red  Jacket,  first 
occurs  in  history,  or  rather,  will  now  for  the  first  time  thus  oc- 
cur, since  it  has  never  yet  been  mentioned  at  so  early  a  date  by 
any  previous  writer.     It  is  well  known  by  all  who  are  ac- 

♦  It  has  already  been  seen  that  this  wide-spread  destruction  was  the  result  of  the 
express  •  ...uctions  of  General  Washington.  It  was  in  reference  to  thi-  fact  that, 
y.uen  addressing  President  Washington  at  an  Indian  council  held  in  Philade'lphia 
in  1792,  Cornplanter  commenced  his  speech  in  the  following  strain  .—"Father- 
"The  voice  of  the  Seneca  nation  speaks  to  you,  the  Great  "counsellor,  in  whose 
«  heart  the  wise  men  of  all  the  Thirteen  Fires  have  placed  their  wisdom.  It  may 
"  be  very  small  in  your  ears,  and  we  therefore  entreat  you  to  hearken  with  attention  • 
«  for  we  are  about  to  speak  to  yoti  ot  things  which  to  us  are  very  great  When  vour 
"army  entered  the  country  of  the  SixNations,  we  called  you  the  Town  Destroter  • 
"and  to  this  day,  when  that  name  is  heard,  our  women  look  behind  them  and  turri 
"  pale,  and  our  children  cling  close  to  the  necks  of  their  mothers.  Our  counsellors 
«  and  warriors  are  men,  and  cannot  be  afraid ;  but  their  hearts  are  grieved  with  the 
«  fears  of  our  women  and  children,  and  desire  that  it  may  be  buried  so  deep  as  to  be 
"  h^ard  no  more." 

t  Ramsay.  See,  also.  History  of  the  British  Empire,  2  volumes-anonymous. 
While  Sulhvan  was  at  Genesee,  a  female  captive  from  Wyoming  was  re-taken 
She  gave  a  deplorable  account  of  the  terror  and  confusion  of  the  Indians.  The  wo- 
men,  she  said,  were  constantly  begging  the  warriors  to  sue  for  peace ;  and  one  of  the 
Indians,  she  stated,  had  attempted  to  shoot  Colonel  Johnson  for  the  falsehoods  by 
which  he  had  deceived  and  ruined  them.  She  overheard  Butler  tell  Johnson  that 
after  the  battle  of  Newtown  it  was  impossible  to  keep  the  Indians  together,  and 
that  he  thought  they  would  soon  be  in  a  miserable  situation,  ns  all  tJ  eir  crops  would 
he  destroyed,  and  they  could  not  be  supplied  at  Niagara. 


n 


M 


[1779. 

n  Ixansform- 
:ter  of  a  gar- 
•"orty  Indian 
wenty-eight 
^ntliered,  to 
hels,  shared 
the  Indians 
u  it-tree,  nor 
iintry.  The 
vegetables, 
ivell  as  the 
ept,  excited 
'  large,  that 
h.    So  nu- 
T  cut  down 

ime  of  the 
'acket,  first 
le  thus  oc- 
7  a  date  by 
ho  are  ac- 

e  result  of  the 
this  fact,  that, 
Philadelphia, 
—"Father: 
lor,  in  whose 
lorn.  It  may 
rith  attention : 
When  your 
Destroyer  ; 
hem  and  turn 
jr  counsellors 
eved  with  the 
deep  as  to  be 

-anonymous. 
raa  re-taken 
s.  The  wo- 
indoneof  the 
ajsehoods  by 
Johnson  that 
together,  and 
crops  would 


1779.] 


FIRST    NOTICE    OP   UED   JACKET. 


36 


quaiutcd  with  Indian  history,  that  Brant  and  Rod  Jacket  were 
irroconcileable  enemies.     The  origin  of  this  enmity  lias  never 
yet  been  known  to  the  public,  and  it  has  by  same  been  imputed  to 
the  jealousy  entertained  by  Brant  of  the  growing  reputation  of 
his  younger  and  more  eloquent  rival.     But  such  is  not  the  fact. 
Brant  ever  acknowledged  the  great  intellectual  powers  of  Red 
Jacket,  but  always  maintained  that  he  was  not  only  destitute  of 
principle,  but  an  arrant  coward.    In  support  of  these  opinions, 
he  asserted  that  Red  Jacket  had  given  him  much  trouble  and 
embarntssment  during  this  campaign  of  General  Sullivan,  and 
was  in  fact  the  principal  cause  of  the  disgrace  and  disasters  of 
the  Indians.     In  relating  a  history  of  the  expedition  to  a  dis- 
tinguished American  gentleman,*  Brant  stated  that  after  the 
battle  of  Newtowi/;  Red  Jacket  was  in  the  habit  of  holding  pri- 
vate councils  with  the  young  warriors,  and  some  of  the  more 
tnnid  sachems,  the  object  of  which  was  to  persuade  them  to  sue 
for  peace,  upon  any— even  ignominious  terms  ;  and  that  at  one 
time  he  had  so  far  succeeded  as  to  induce  them  to  send  pri- 
'  vately,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  the  principal  war  chiefs 
a  runner  into  General  Sullivan's  camp,  to  make  known  to  him 
the  spirit  of  (^  .^satisfaction  and  division  that  prevailed  among 
the  Indians,  and  to  invite  him  to  send  a  flag  of  truce  with  cer- 
tain propositions  calculated  to  increase  their  divisions  and  pro- 
duce a  dishonorable  peace.    Brant,  who  was  privately  informed 
0.  all  these  proceedings,  but  feared  the  consequences  of  disclos- 
ing and  attempting  to  suppress  them  by  forcible  means,  des- 
patched, secretly  also,  two  confidential  warriors  to  way-lay  the 
flag  when  on  its  route  from  the  American  to  the  Indian  camp 
and  to  put  the  bearer  of  it  to  death,  and  then  return  secretly  with 
his  despatches.     This  was  accomplished  as  he  directed,  and  all 
attempts  at  farther  negotiations  thereby  prevented.     It  was  cer- 
tainly a  bold  measure ;  and  how  far  Brant's  conduct  therein  is 
susceptible  of  justification,  or  even  palliation,  will  depend  on  a 
variety  of  minute  circumstances  wliich  it  is  now  too  late  to  as- 
certain. 

Having  completed  the  objects  contemplated  by  the  expedition 
to  the  point  at  which  he  had  arrived.  General  Sullivan  re-cross- 
ed the  Genesee  with  his  army  on  the  16th  of  Septerabbr,  and 

•  The  late  Secretary  of  War,  Genual  Peter  B.  Porter. 


*i 


I 

.  or.: 


«  . 


!■! 

^ 

#,1 

11 

LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 


III! 


iV 


.'ot  out  on  his  return.    Why  he  did  not  follow  up  his  success 
ajHl  stuko  at  the  enemy's  citadel  at  Niagara,  which  «    hS 

.ill"-     ^"^T'"'""^' '"  '••«  organization  of  the  ex- 
lodmon,  tl  e  conquest  of  Niagara,  the  head-quarters  of  the  foe  of 

'".«•  the  Indians,  was  one  of  the  principal  objects  in  view 
n  cl'^T  ^^^r"  f  ^'^«  ^--ican  General  had  becouL  t  o 
h     Ir  K  y.'f ""'  ""'^  fatigue,  (they  had  not  lost  a 

tl    1     '"    f  '"'^ '"  '"""  '^^  '^  ^"-'^^^  '''^^«"--     Certain 
t  s,  that  the  most  important  feature  of  the  enterprise  was  not 

udcrtaken  ;  and  n  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel,  that  but  small  u  - 

Tklrtr/r'^'  '""^  the  campaign.    Stimulated  by 

S  ti     . T"  'T  '"r  «^^^P 'hrough  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk 

Sullivan  h  mself  was,  the  want  of  provisions ;  but  this  defi- 

nrstoros'o  "/.;''t  ^r  "^'1  .abundantly  supplied  from  the  am- 

Itterit!'^  Indians,  winch  were  either  burnt  or  thrown    ' 

Tho  return  of  tlie  army  was  along  the  same  track  ly  which 
It  had  advanced.     On  the  20th,  having  re-crossed  the  outlet  of 
Seneca  Lake  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler%vas  detached  S'   the 
rifle  corps  and  five  hundred  men,  to  pass  round  the  foot  of  Cay- 
ug   Lake  and  lay  waste  the  Indian  towns  on  is  eastern  shore ; 
V  no  on  the  next  day,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Dearborn,  with  two 
mdred  men,  wa.  detached  to  perform  the  same  service  alono- 
the  south-western  shore.     The  main  army  pursued  the  r^ost 
djrect  route  to  the  Chemung  and  Tioga,  'on  the  gefh  cX 
nol  Dmrborn's  detachment  returned,  and  on  the  28th  they  were 
nyoined  by  Colonel  Butler,  who  had  burnt  three  towns  onhe 
Uyugas    mcluding  their  capital.'     Dearborn  had  burnt  six 
towns  m  his  route,  destroying  at  the  same  time  large  quantities 

•  The  Onnida.,  it  will  be  recollected,  had  been  intercedin-.  in  behalf  of  the  Cav., 
«  ilS^  "I"  •  "I  "I"'  "»)■  »."  >l»"  convinced  „r  the  j..fa  .f  ^  ^  "^Z 


[1779. 

p  his  success, 
>i  at  that  time 
luestion  diffi- 
ion  of  the  ex- 
5  of  the  foe  of 
}  and  power 
iects  in  view, 
d  become  too 
id  not  lost  a 
ice.     Certain 
rise  was  not 
but  small  ul- 
imulated  by 
re  afterward 
the  Mohawk 
•e  offered  by 
It  this  defi- 
rom  the  am- 
:  or  thrown    ' 

k  by  which 
ho  outlet  of 
d  with  the 
foot  of  Cay- 
tern  shore ; 
I,  with  two 
rvice  along- 
i  the  most 
26th  Colo- 
1  they  were 
wns  of  the 

burnt  six 

quantities 

r  of  the  Cayu- 

wrote  in  his 
to  the  Cayu- 
on  searching 

were  foun.l, 
ho  wed  to  the 
le  steps  I  hud 


1779.] 


BULUVAN'a    CAMPAION. 


37 


$ 


of  corn.     On  the  same  day  Colonels  Van  Courtlandt  and  Day- 
ton were  detached  upon  a  similar  service,  for  the  destruction  of 
large  fields  of  corn  growing  upon  th-.  banks  of  the  Tiorra  and 
Its  tributaries.  " 

On  the  ?Oth  of  September  the  army  reached  its  original  point 
of  concentration  at  Tioga,  where,  it  will  be  re-collected,  a  fort 
had  been  thrown  up,  and  loft  in  charge  of  a  small  garrison. 
1  his  work  was  destroyed  on  the  3d  of  October.     The  armv 
then  resumed  its  return  march,  and  passing  through  Wyomin/ 
arnvul  ttt  Easton  on  the  15th.     Theliista^ce  thence  to  thrGe^ 
nesee  castle  was  two  hundred  and  eighty  miles.     With  the  ex- 
ception of  the  action  at  Newtown,  the  achievements  of  the  armv 
in  battle  were  not  great.     But  it  had  scoured  a  broad  extent  of 
sTo^^'on  .l'^''  -retownsin.shes  than  had  ever  Cd 
stroyed  on  the  continent  before.     The  r.(l  men  were  driven 
from  their  beautiful  country-their  habitations  left  in  ru  ns    ho' r 
fields  laid  waste,  their  orchards  uprooted  and  thJrTi 
the  tombs  of  their  fathers  overthm^.  "'''''  ""'^ 

There  was,  however,  an  eiMsude  to  this  campaio-n,  if  such  a 
phrase  may  be  allowed  in  uiHitary  history,  whic'h,°unexp    td 
as  t  has  been  appears  Hke  a  very  stnmgc  movement  on  the 
pajof  General  Sullivan.     It  has  been  seen  in  the  ear  ier  pi 
ion  of  the  present  work,  that  when  the  groat  body  of  the  Mo 
hawks  retired  to  Canada  with  the  Johnsons,  preparatory,^.  Z- 
ing  up  the  hatchet  against  die  Americans,  the  clan  at  tlL  lower 
castle  declined  accompanying  them.     Thus  far,  mo    o  1  dTr 
ing  the  whole  progress  of  the  war,  they  had  p  escrvod  «  .?    . 
neutrality.     They  had  neither  moWed  t  et  wh  t^^^ 
nor  been  molested  themselves  ;  but  were  living  quietir  ul  h     ' 
ingtheir  grounds  in  the  midst  of  the  best^Lled  ^o    o.  o; 
Tryon  County,  or  following  the  chase  at  their  pleasure    l?i 
on  terms  of  perfect  amity  and  good-will  with  ^eir  tl "  tn7J^ 
bors.    By  some  means  or  other,  however,  General  Sul  Ln  f; 

while  at  the  foot  ol  Seneca  Lake,  he  detachod  Colonel  GTnse 
voort,  with  a  corps  of  one  hundred  men,  to  Fo  t   SchuvT; 

lie,  make  all  the  Indians  captives  if  nne.iM-  Hp-i-    ■•    • 


II 


t 

!    <1 


f     !■     ,1 


H* 


38 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


i;' 


JiH 


[1779. 

head-quarters— the  order  explicitly  forbidding  that  any  of  the 
prisoners  so  taken  should  be  left  at  Albany  ;  and  the  Colonel 
was  at  the  same  time  enjoined,  amidst  all  these  measures  of  hos- 
tility, to  show  the  Indians,  so  to  be  dispossessed  and  carried 
away  by  violence,  "such  necessary  marks  of  civility  and  atten- 
«tion  as  might  engage  a  continuance  of  their ,  friendship,  and 
«  give  evidence  of  our  pacific  disposition  toward  them  !"     This 
was  truly  a  surprising  order,  and,  as  the  event  proved,  as  un- 
called for  and  unjust  as  it  was  incomprehensible.    As  Colonel 
Gansevoort's  official  report  of  his  proceedings  under  this  order 
will  present  the  best  view  of  the  whole  transaction,  it  is  inserted 
entire : — 

Colonel  Gansevoort  to  General  Sullivan. 


'•Sir, 


"Albany,  October  S,  1779. 


«  Agreeably  to  my  orders,  I  proceeded  by  the  shortest  route 
to  the  lower  Mohawk  castle,  passing  through  the  Tuscarora 
and  Oneida  castles  (towns),  where  every  mark  of  hospitality  and 
friendship  was  shown  the  party.    I  had  the  pleasure  to  find  that 
not  the  least  damage  nor  insult  was  offered  any  of  the  inhabit- 
ants.    On  the  25th  I  arrived  at  Fort  Schuyler,  where,  refresh- 
ing my  party,  I  proceeded  down  the  river,  and  on  the  29th  ef 
fectually  surprised  the  Icwer  Mohawk  castle,  making  prisoners 
of  every   Indian   inhabitant.     They  then   occupied   but  four 
houses.     I  was  preparing,  agreeable  to  my  orders,  to  destroy 
them,  but  was  interrupted  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  frontiers 
who  have  been  lately  driven  from  their  settlements  by  the  sa- 
vages, praying  that  they  might  have  liberty  to  enter  into  the 
Mohawks'  houses,  until  they  could  procure  other  habitations  • 
and  well  knowing  those  persons  to  have  lately  lost  their  all' 
humanity  tempted  me  in  this  particular  to  act  "in  some  deo-ree 
contrary  to  orders,  although  I  could  not  but  be  confident  of  your 
approbation  ;  especially  when  you  are  informed  that  this  castle 
IS  m  the  heart  of  our  settlements,  and  abounding  with  every 
necessary;  so  that  it  is  remarked  that  these  Indians  live  much 
better  than  most  of  the  Mohawk  river  farmers.     Their  houses 
were  very  well  furnished  with  all  necessary  household  utensils, 
great  plenty  of  grain,  several  horses,  cows,  and  wagons  ;  of  all 
which  I  have  an  inventory,  leaving  them  in  the  care  of  Major 


[1779. 

at  any  of  the 
i  the  Colonel 
isures  of  hos- 

and  carried 
ty  and  atten- 
iendship,  and 
lem !''  This 
roved,  as  un- 

As  Colonel 
ler  this  order 
it  is  inserted 


.IVAN. 

T  8, 1779. 

lortest  route 
i  Tuscarora 
spitality  and 
!  to  find  that 
the  inhabit- 
ere,  refresh- 
the  29th  ef- 
ig  prisoners 
id   but  four 

to  destroy 
le  frontiers, 

by  the  sa- 
er  into  the 
labitations ; 
St  their  all, 
ome  degree 
ent  of  your 
t  this  castle 
ivith  every 

live  much 
eir  houses 
Id  utensils, 
ms ;  of  all 
e  of  Major 


LOWER   CASTLE   MOHAWKS. 


39 


1779.J 

Newkirk,  of  that  place,  who  distributed  the  refugees  in  the  se- 
veral  houses.  Such  being  the  situation,  I  did  not  allow  the 
party  to  plunder  at  all. 

«  The  prisoners  arrived  at  Albany  on  the  2d  instant,  and  were 
closely  secured  in  the  fort.  Yesterday,  the  7th,  I  received  a 
letter  from  General  Schuyler,  (of  which  I  enclose  a  copy,)  re- 
spectuig  the  prisoners,  desiring  that  the  sending  the  prisoners 
down  might  be  postponed  until  an  express  shall  arrive  from 
General  Washington.  Agreeably  to  this  request,  a  sergeant  and 
tweive  men  are  detained  to  keep  charge  of  the  prisoners  until 
his  pleasure  is  known. 

"  It  is  with  the  greatest  regret  I  mention  my  indisposition  be- 
mg  so  great  as  to  hinder  my  tnking  charge  of  the  party  to  head- 
quarters. I  have  been  several  days  confined,  and  my  surgeon 
mforms  me  that  my  complaint  is  bilious  fever.  Captain  Svtez 
takes  command  of  the  detachment,  and  will  proceed  with  all  ex- 
pedition to  head-quarters  with  the  baggage  of  the  several  re- 
giments, where  I  hope  shortly  to  join  the  army.    I  remain 

It  seems  that  General  Schuyler,  then  at  the  head  of  the 
Northern  Commission  of  the  Indian  Department,  havino-  heard 
of  the  harsh  measure  adopted  in  regard  to  the  lower  casUe  Mo- 
hawks,  had  interposed  in  their  behalf.  The  following  is\he 
letter  referred  to  by  Colonel  Gansevoort,  a  copy  of  whk^h  was 
enclosed  to  General  Sullivan  :— 

General  Schuyler  to  Colonel  Gansevoort. 

«  Dear  Sir,  "  ^^^^^^^  ^'''^''  ^'  l^^^" 

"Having  perused  Gen.  Sullivan's  orders  to  you  respectinn- 
the  Indians  of  the  lower  Mohawk  castle  and  their  propertv  I 
conceive  they  are  founded  on  misinformation  given  to  that  gen- 

iTJ  'r'r  ^"^!^"%^^^«  peaceably  remained  there  under  the 
san  tion  of  the  public  faith  repeatedly  given  them  by  the  com- 
mi  s  oners  of  Indian  affairs,  on  condition  of  peaceable  demean- 
or ;  this  contract  they  have  r,ot  violated  to  our  knowledge.  It 
s  therefore  incumbent  on  us,  as  servants  of  the  public  to  keen 
he  public  faith  inviolate ;  and  we  therefore  entrea  y  u  o  poT 
pone  the  sending  the  Indians  from  hence  until  fhLl^Tlf 
his  E..coIlency,  Gen.  Washington,  can  be  obtained,  and  a" letteC 


|;l 


Ml 


I 


liii- 


I 


i 


40 


LIFE   OF  BRANT. 


[1779. 


tifi 


is  already  despatched  to  him  on  the  occasion,  and  in  which  we 
have  mentioned  this  apphcation  to  you.  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your 
most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"  Ph.  Schuyler, 
"  President  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
"of  Indian  affairs,  N.  Department.'^ 

Copies  of  these  letters  were  at  the  same  time  enclosed  to  the 
Commander-m-chief  by  Colonel  Gansevoort,  and  the  result  wa.s 
a  speedy  release  of  the  poor  Indians,  with  directions  from  Ge- 
neral Washmgton  that  the  Commissioners  should  "lav  them 
under  such  obligations  for  their  future  good  behavior  as  they 
should  thmk  necessary."*  ' 

Thus  ended  the  memorable  campaign  of  General  Sullivan 
.against  the  coun.lry  of  the  Six  Nations  ;  and,  however  harshly 
that  officer  may  have  been  spoken  of  by  others,  it  is  certain,  from 
the  letters  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  that  his  conduct  was 
viewed  in  that  quarter  with  the  most  decided  approbation.     The 
officers  of  the  several  corps  engaged  in  the  expedition  held 
separate  meetings,  and  testified  the  warmest  regard  in  his  behalf 
mm  their  approbation  of  the  manner  in  which  he  had  conducted 
the  campaign.     On  the  14th  of  October  Congress  passed  a  re- 
solution of  thanks  to  General  Washington  for  directing  this  ex- 
pedition, and  to  "  General  Sullivan  and  the  brave  officers  and 
soldiers  under  his  command  for  its  effectual  execution  "     But 
at  the  very  time  of  the  adoption  of  the  resolution,  it  was  evident 
that  It  was  carried  by  a  reluctant  vole.    Sullivan  had  made 
such  high  demands  for  military  stores,  and  had  so  freely  com- 
plained of  the  government  for  inattention  to  those  demands,  as 
to  give  much  offence  to  some  members  of  Congress  and  to  the 
lioaru  of  VVar.t   He,  in  consequence,  resigned  his  commission  on 

•  MS.  letter  of  Washington  to  Colonel  Gansevcwrt.    In  justice  to  General  Sulli- 

ZZT   :fT:  "T'"'  """"^'  '^"^  ■'"'«'  -ighhorhood  of  friendly  Mo    lu" 
should  be  stated  that  he  acted  under  misinformation.     In  his  official  report  rritVn 
from  T,oga  September  30.  he  said  :-"  I  directed  Colonel  Gansevoort  to  de'tZhe 
•ower  Mohawk  castlein  his  route,  and  capture  the  inhabitants,  consi^tinl  of  o  1 

enemy,  and  m  supporting  their  scouting  parties  when  making  incursLs  on  our 

4ou tedi;  Jr  '''^^f-^«  J"-'^*^^  --y.'hose  few  families  were  Z 
doubtedly  left  to  answer  those  purposes,  and  keep  possession  of  their  lands." 
T  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary. 


4 

'l 


J- 


[1779. 

in  which  we 
iear  Sir,  your 

YLER, 

tmmissioners 
partmcnV 

iclosed  to  the 
he  result  was 
)ns  from  Ge- 
d  « lay  them 
avior  as  they 

iral  Sullivan 
ever  harshly 
certain,  from 
conduct  was 
lation.     The 
edition  held 
in  his  behalf, 
id  conducted 
passed  a  re- 
ting  this  ex- 
officers  and 
ition."    Biit 
was  evident 
I  had  made 
freely  corn- 
demands,  as 
and  to  the 
wmission  on 

)  General  Sulli- 
ly  Molmwkg,  it 
report,  written 
rt  to  destroy  the 
laifting  of  only 
;lligenceto  the 
iirsions  on  our 
ilieg  were  un- 
ir  lands," 


1779.] 


brodhead's  campaign. 


41 


die  9th  of  November,  under  the  convenient  pretext  of  ill  health. 
The  resignation  was  accepted  by  Congress  on  the  30th  of  that 
rnontji— accompanied,  however,  by  a  vote  of  thanks  lor  past 
services. 

But  there  was  yet  another  expedition  against  the  Indians,  de- 
vised and  executed  in  conjuaction,  or  rather  simultaneously, 
witli  that  of  General  Sullivan.  This  movement  took  place 
under  the  direction  of  Colonel  Daniel  Brodhead,  then  com 
manding  at  Fort  Pitt,  and  was  originally  designed  by  the  Com 
mander-ui-chief,  after  accomplishing  the  destruction  of  the 
Mingo,  Munsey,  and  a  portion  of  the  Seneca  Indians  settled  on 
the  Alleghany  river,  fu^  co-operation  Avith  that  of  Sullivan,  by 
a  junction  at  ^  >  i— a  point,  as  it  happened,  unattained  by 
either.     Prepa  ;.o  this  campaign,  Washington  had  written 

to  Colonel  Brodhead,  on  the  22d  of  March,  directing  him  to 
tfnow  forward  detachments  of  troops,  the  first  to  take  post  at 
Kittaning,  and  the  second  at  Venango,  and  to  build  stockade 
forts  at  both  places— observing  the  greatest  possible  secresy  in 
regard  to  ulterior  operations.*     From  various  unforeseen  diffi- 
culties, the  project  of  a  direct  co-operation  with  Sullivan  was 
abandoned  on  the  21st  of  April,  and  Colonel  Brodhead  was 
directed  to  make  the  necessary  reconnoissances  for  a  movement 
against  Detroit,  should  such  an  expedition  be  deemed  advisable.f 
The  result,  however,  was  an  independent  campaign  against  the 
tribes  or  clans  of  Indians  last  above  mentioned,  inhabiting  the 
head  waters  of  the  Alleghany  river,  French  Creek,  and  other 
tributaries  of  the  Ohio.     Colonel  Brodhead  left  Pittsburgh  on 
the  nth  of  August,  at  the  head  of  six  hundred  rank  and  file, 
including  volunteers  and  militia,  with  provisions  for  one  month! 
The  first  Indian  town  designed  to  be  attaclied  was  Cannowago.* 
On  their  way  tliither,  four  days  after  their  departure  from  Fort 
Pitt,  Colonel  Brodhead's  advanced  guard  met  a  party  of  be- 
tween thirty  and  forty  Indian  warriors  descending  the  Alleghany 
in  canoes.    The  Indians  landed  to  give  battle  ;  but  were  de- 
feated after  a  sharp  brush,  and  put  to  flight,  leaving  five  warriors 
dead,  and  evident  marks  that  others  had  been  carried  off 
wounded.    On  arriving  at  Cannowago,  the  troops  were  mortified 

•  Letter  from  Wnsl.in«ton  to  Colonel  Brodhead,  Maruh 22, 1779— Vide  Sparka'i 
Life  and  Correspondence,  vol.  vi. 
t  Letter  from  the  same  to  the  same,  April  21, 1779. 
VOL.  II.  4 


'I  i 


1. 1 

»1 


:>    ■ 


Ih 


hi 


*•  . 


1^1 

I    1 

i| 

n  ■  1 

42 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[irro, 


m\ 


to  find  that  the  town  had  been  deserted  for  eighteen  months 
Proceeds-  onward,  however,  they  successively  entered  severa. 
towns,  wl.  sh  were  abandoned  by  the  Indians  on  their  approach . 
rhey  were  all  destroyed,  together  with  the  adjacent  corn-fields 
At  tlie  upper  Seneca  town,  called  Yoghroonwago,  they  found  a 
p;unted  uuage,  or  war-post,  clothed  in  dog-skin.     There  were 
several  towns  in  the  vicinity  of  this  place,  containing,  in  all,  one 
hundred  and  thirty  houses,  some  of  which  were  large  enouo-h  to 
accommodate  three  or  four  families  each.     These  were  ah  de- 
stroyed, togetl  -r  with  their  fields  of  corn,  so  extensive  that  the 
troops  were  occupied  three  days  in  accomplishingthe  object.   The 
old  towns  of  Buckioons  and  Maghinquechahocking,  consistino- 
of  thirty-five  large  houses,  were  likewise  burnt.     The  Indians 
had  fled  so  precipitately  as  to  leave  some  packages  of  skins  and 
other  booty,  to  the  value   of  three  thousand   dollars— all  of 
which  was  taken.     Fields  of  corn  were  destroved  at  least  to  the 
extent  of  five  hundred  acres.     From  the  number  of  new  houses 
bmlding,  and  the  extent  of  lands  preparing  for  cultivation,  it 
was  conjectured  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  whole  Sene'ca 
and  Munsey  nation  to  plant  themselves  down  in  those  settle- 
ments.*    The  distance  traversed  by  Colonel  Brodhead,  goino- 
and  returning,  was  four  hundred  miles,  and  not  a  man  w^  los't 
during  the  expedition. 

The  thanks  of  Congress  were  likewise  voted  to   General 
Washington  for  devising,  and  to  Colonel  Brodhead  for  exe- 
cuting, this  expedition.     It  has  already  been  remarked,  that  as 
but  few  of  the  enemy  were  slain  in  these  expeditions,  the  only 
immediate  eflfect,  beyond  the  destruction   of  provisions  and 
property,  was  to  exasperate  the  Indians.    A  more  remote  effect 
was  to  throw  the  whole  body  of  the  hostiles  of  the  Six  Nations 
back  upon  their  British  employers,  for  their  entire  support  the 
following  winter.     Another  consequence  was,  that  fi-om  the 
want  and  distress  of  the  Indians  dunng  *that  winter,  a  mortal 
diseasb   was    superinduced  among  them,  which   swept  great 
numbers  into  eternity, 

*  Officinl  account  of  Colonel  Brodhead.  Upon  this  expedition,  in  connexion 
with  that  of  Sullivan,  the  historian,  Ramsay,  remarks-"  In  tliis  manner  the  savaae 
"  part  of  the  war  waa  carried  on.  Waste,  and  sometimes  cruelty,  were  inflicted  and 
"  retort.vl,  with  infinite  variety  of  scenes  of  horror  and  dissust.  The  selfish  passions 
"ofhun.an  nature,  unrestrained  by  social  ties,  broke  over  all  bounds  of  decenoy  or 
*  humanity ." 


'I 
4} 


[1770. 

teen  months, 
itered  several 
leir  approach. 
It  corn-fields 
they  found  a 
There  were 
ig,  in  all,  one 
•gc  enough  to 
were  all  de- 
sive  that  the 
object.   The 
g,  consisting 
The  Indians 
of  skins  and 
liars— all  of 
It  least  to  the 
"  new  houses 
ultivation,  it 
liole  Seneca 
those  settle- 
head,  going 
lan  was  lost 

to  General 
ad  for  exe- 
Iced,  that  as 
is,  the  only 
asions  and 
smote  effect 
5ix  Nations 
support  the 
t  from  the 
r,  a  mortal 
wept  great 


in  connexion 
ler  the  savage 
e  inflicted  and 
jifish  pnsfiions 
of  decency  or 


1779.] 


INDIAN   CHIEFS    AT   FOHT    PITT. 


43 


Still  another  effect  of  these  sweeping  invasions  of  the  Indian 
coimtry,  was,  at  least  for  the  time  being,  to  terrify  some  of  the 
tribes  yet  more  remote.  On  Colonel  Brodhead's  return  to  Fort 
Pitt,  September  14th,  he  found  the  chiefs  of  the  Dolawares, 
the  principal  chiefs  of  the  Wyandots  or  Hurons,  and  the 
King  of  the  Maquichee  branch  of  the  Shawanese,  awaiting  his 
arrival.  Three  day^  afterward  the  Colonel  held  a  council  with 
tfiesc  forest  dignitaries,  on  which  occasion  Doonyontat,  the 

Wyandot  chief,  delivered  the  following  speech  : 

.  "  Brother  Maghingive  Keeshuch,*  listen  to  me  ! 

"  Brother  :  It  grieves  me  to  see  you  with  the  tears  in  your 
eyes.     I  know  it  is  the  fault  of  the  English. 

"  Brother  :  I  wipe  away  all  those  tears,  and  smooth  down 
your  hair,  which  the  English,  and  the  folly  of  my  youno-  men 
have  ruffled.  ^  * 

«  Now,  my  Brother  I  have  wiped  away  all  the  stains  from 
your  clothes,  and  smoothed  them  where  my  young  men  had 
ruffled  them,  so  that  you  may  now  put  on  your  hat,  and  sit  with 
that  ease  and  composure  which  you  would  desire. 

Four  strings  of  lohite  wampum. 
Listen  to  the  Huron  chiefs. 
I  see  you  all  bloody  by  the  English  and  my 
now  wipe  away  all  those  stains,  and  make  y.,a 


"  Brother 
"  Brother 


I 


young  men 
clean. 

"  Brother  :  I  see  your  heart  twisted,  and  neck  and  throat 
turned  to  the  one  side,  with  the  grief  and  vexation  which  my 
young  men  have  caused  ;  all  which  disagreeable  sensations  I 
nou'  remove,  and  restore  you  to  your  former  tranquility,  so  that 
now  you  may  breathe  with  ease,  and  enjoy  the  benefit  of  your 
food  and  nourishment. 

"Brother:  Your  ears  appear  to  be  stopped,  so  that  you 
cannot  listen  to  yoiir  Brothers  when  they  talk  of  friendship 
That  deafness  I  now  remove,  and  all  stoppage  liom  your  ears 
that  you  may  listen  to  the  friendly  speeches  of  your  Brothers' 
and  that  they  may  sink  deep  into  your  heart.  ' 

i^even  strings  of  white  VKimpnm. 

»  Brother  :  Listen  to  me.     When  I  look  around  me,  1  see 
the  bones  of  our  nephews  lie  scattered  and  unburied. 

•  The  Indian  name  conferred  upon  Colonel  Brodhead. 


,1 


Is 


»  Im  i 


V 


I 


i'l    It 


i' 


44 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


m 


I'll 


[1770. 

«  Brother  :  I  gather  up  the  bones  of  all  our  young  mm  on 
both  sides,  who  have  fallen  in  this  dispute,  without  any  distinc 
tion  of  party. 

«  Brother  :  I  have  now  gathered  up  the  bones  of  our  rola- 
tions  on  both  sides,  and  will  bury  them  in  a  large  deep  gnivo 
and  smooth  it  over  so  that  there  shall  not  be  the  least  sign  of 
bones,  or  any  thing  to  raise  any  grief  orwiger  in  any  of  our 
minds  hereafter. 

"  Brother  :  I  have  now  buried  the  bones  of  all  our  relations 
very  deep.  You  very  Avell  know  that  there  are  some  of  yuiir 
flesh  and  blood  in  our  hands  prisoners  :  I  assure  you  that  you 
shall  see  them  all  safe  and  well. 

Eiffhi  strmg-s  of  white  wampum. 
«  Brother  :  I  now  look  up  to  where  our  Maker  is,  and  think 
there  is  some  darkness  still  over  our  heads,  so  that  God  can 
hardly  see  us,  on  account  of  the  evil  doings  of  the  Kii.-^'  ovot 
.  the  great  waters.  All  these  thick  clouds,  which  have  arisen 
on  account  of  that  bad  King,  I  now  entirely  remove,  that  God 
may  look  and  see  us  in  our  treaty  of  friendship,  and  be  a  wit- 
ness to  the  truth  and  sincerity  of  our  intentions. 

Four  strings  of  white  wampum.. 
«  Brother  :  As  God  puts  all  our  hearts  right,  I  now  give 
thanlvs  to  God  Almighty,  to  the  chief  men  of  the  Americans,  to 
my  old  father  the  King  of  France,  and  to  you,  Brother,  that  wo 
can  now  talk  together  on  friendly  terms,  and  speak  our  sonti- 
ments  without  interruption. 

Four  strhigs  (f  black  and  white  wampum. 
«  Brother  :  You  knew  me  before  you  saw  me,  and  that  I 
had  not  drawn  away  my  hand  from  yours,  as  I  sent  y  >u  word 
last  year  by  Captain  White  Eyes. 

«  Brother  :  I  look  up  to  Heaven,  and  call  God  Almighty  (o 
witness  to  the  truth  of  wha*  I  say,  and  that  it  really  comes  from 
my  heart. 

«  Brother  :  I  now  tell  you  that  I  have  for  ever  thrown  off 
my  father  the  English,  and  will  never  give  him  any  assistance ; 
and  there  are  some  amongst  all  the  nations  that  think  the  samo 
things  that  I  do,  and  I  wish  that  they  would  all  think  so. 

"  Brother  :  I  cannot  answer  for  all  the  nations,  as  T  don't 
know  all  their  thoughts,  and  will  speak  only  what  I  am  sure  o(. 

"  Brother  :  Listen  to  me.    I  love  all  the  nations,  mid  huto 


IN 


I'i' 


[1770. 

nr  yonng  mm  on 
thout  any  distinc- 

bones  of  our  rein- 
large  deep  jrravo, 
1  the  least  sij^n  of 
er  in  any  of  our 

f  all  our  relations 
ire  some  of  yunr 
ire  you  that  you 

lite  wampum. 
iker  is,  and  think 
0  that  God  can 
f  the  Kii!^'  ovor 
lich  have  arisen 
;move,  that  God 
ip,  and  he  a  wit- 

ite  wampnm,, 
J-ht,  I  now  give 
le  Americans,  to 
lirother,  that  we 
speak  our  sonti- 

'te  wampvm, 
me,  and  that  I 
sent  y  yu  word 

rod  Almighty  to 
illy  comes  from 

jver  thrown  off 
any  assistance  ; 
think  the  sarao 
think  so. 
;ions,  as  I  don't 
It  I  am  sure  o/, 
.tions,  mid  huto 


m 


I 


1779.] 


INDIAN   CHIEFS    AT   FORT   PITT. 


45 


hone,  and  when  I  return  home  they  shall  all  hear  what  you  sav 
and  what  is  done  between  us. 

"Brother  :  I  have  just  now  told  you  that  I  loved  all  the 
nations,  a^id  I  see  you  raising  up  the  hatchet  against  mv 
younger  Brother,  the  Shawanese.*  I  beg  of  you  to  stop  a  little 
while  as  he  has  never  yet  heard  me ;  and  when  he  has  heard 
me,  ,f  he  does  not  choose  to  think  as  we  do,  I  will  tell  you  of  it 
immediately.  ' 

"Brother:  I  intend  to  speak  roughly  to  my  younffer 
brother  and  tell  him  not  -o  listen  to  the  English,  but  thrfw 
them  off,  and  listen  to  me,  and  then  he  may  live  as  I  do 

"Brother:  I  thank  you  for  leaving  the  fortress  at  Tusca- 
rawas, and  am  convinced  by  that  that  you  have  taken  pity  on  us 
and  want  to  make  us  your  friends.  ' 

"Brother:  I  now  take  a  firmer  hold  or  your  hand  than 
before,  and  beg  that  you  will  take  pity  upon  the  otherL^on^ 
who  are  my  friends;  and  if  any  of  thL  Luld  inlL  to  tl 
hold  of  your  hand,  I  request  that  you  would  comply  aid  t 
ceive  them  into  riendship.  a  Hack  helt  of  elevln  rlV 

"Brother:  Listen.     I  tell  vnn  tr.  i,„        .■      '='''""'*• 
you  .mend  ,0  .riUe  .he  l^uZZLlTZV  "If 
niches,  way  ,o  where  he  is,  ,esj  y„„  frth,»'he'„™eZf  *: 

"  Brother  :  To,,  now  listen  to  me,  and  one  favor  I  be.,  of 
you  ,s,  that  when  you  drive  away  your  enemies,  y„™  i  u^w 

"  Brother  :  I  v/ould  advise  you,  when  von  ^ir^Wr.  ,u 
ne.  w,,ete  .  si,  to  ,e  hy  wate^  a^  it  wm^rt*:!™ 

river  and  up  the  Wabash.  ^  '  *°  ^°  ^°^"  ^^^ 

"  Brother  :  The  reason  why  I  mentioned  the  road  up  the 

-JIulhor.  P    P"'^  '^''"^''  ^^  «««"'«1  some  time  afterward. 

1  Referring  to  the  Droifio.tfiil  tnn«ep"-n'^  -T  %      •  t-     ., 
purpose m.ver executed.  '   "      '°"°'  ^'*^'""''^  ''^^  Detr<«t-« 


|1 


ii,. 


I 


HI 


iy  I 


kl*i 


46 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


n,i 


[1779 

river  is,  that  tlioro  will  l,o  no  danger  of  your  being  discovered 
until  you  arc  close  upon  them,  but  on  the  road  down  the  river 
you  will  be  spied. 

"Brother:  Now  I  have  told  you  the  way  by  Presq' Isle, 
and  that  It  IS  the  boundary  between  us  and  your  enemies;  if 
you  go  by  the  AVabaNh,  your  friends  will  not  be  surprised 

"  Brother  :  You  must  not  think  that  what  I  have  said  is  only 
my  own  thoughts,  but  the  opinion  of  all  the  Huron  chiefs  and 
I  speak  HI  behalf  of  them  all.  If  you  grant  what  favors  l'  have 
asked  of  you,  all  our  frirnds  and  relations  will  be  thanlrful  and 
glad  as  far  as  they  can  licar  all  round. 

"Brother  :  The  reason  why  I  have  pointed  out  these  two 
roads  IS,  that  when  wo  hoar  you  are  in  one  of  them,  we  w'-U 
know  your  mtentions  witlio.n  farther  notice  ;  and  the  Huroi. 
chiefs  desired  me  particularly  to  mention  it,  that  ti.ey  may  meet 
you  in  your  walk,  and  tell  you  what  they  have  done,  who  ai-> 
Tour  enemies,  and  who  are  your  friends,  and  I,  in  their  name 
request  a  pair  of  colors  to  sliow  that  we  have  joined  in  friendship! 
„  „  ,„,     ,  ^'""""ccn  strings  of  black  wampnm. 

Brother  :  The  ch.efs  desired  me  to  tell  you  that  they  sent 
Montour  before  to  tell  yon  their  intention,  and  they  leave  him 
to  go  with  you,  that  when  you-meet  your  Brothers,  you  may 
consult  together,  and  understand  one  another  by  his  means  " 

On  the   19th  Colonel   Brodhead  addressed  the  Huron  chief 
m  reply  after  the  Indian  form.     He  told  him,  distinctly,  that 
fa  r  words  were  no  longer  to  be  taken,  unless  their  sinceri  ^  was 
attested  by  their  deeds,     in  regard  to  the  roads  to  Detroit,  he 
said  he  shou  d  select  whichever  he  pleased.     As  for  the  Shawa- 
nese,  the  Colonel  told  the  chief  that  he  had  sent  them  a  lir 
speech,  which  they  iiad  thrown  into  the  fire,  and  he  should  no 
now  recall  Colonel  Clarke.     And  in  regard  to  the  people  of  "he 
chief  himself,  the  Colonel  demanded,  as  the  basis  of  peace  tha 
they  should  stipulate  to  restore  all  American  prisoners  n  'thet 
hands;  to  kill  scalp,  and  take,  as  many  of  the  English  and 
their  allies  a.  they  had  killed  and  taken  of  the  Americans     and 

?nr  th    f  w"  '  ""T'^  ''  '^'  ''^™^'  ^"'^  ^^°^^«--««  vvere  required 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  agreement 

The  Delawares  were  at  that  time^.t  peace  with  the  United 
^t^tes,  and  a  small  body  of  thdr  u.u-riors  had  accompanied  Co 


[1770 

ng  discovered 
lown  the  river 

by  Prosq'  Islo, 
r  enemies ;  if 
iirprised. 
vc  said  is  only 
311  chiefs,  and 
favors  I  liave 
thankful  and 

)ut  these  two 
hem,  we  w'U 
d  the  Hurori 
ley  may  meet 
one,  who  an 

1  their  name, 
in  friendship. 
ti'ampiim. 
hat  they  sent 
ey  leave  him 
irs,  you  may 
is  means." 
Huron  chief 
stinctly,  that 
sincerity  was 
0  Detroit,  he 
'  the  Shawa- 

them  a  fair 

2  should  not 
leople  of  the 
f  ppace,  that 
lers  in  their 
iJng-lish  and 
ricans ;  and 
;ir  enemies, 
ere  required 

the  United 
:ipa?ued  Co. 


1779.J 


INDIAN   CHIEFS    AT    POUT    PITT. 


47 


lonel  Brodhead  on  the  expedition  from  which  he  had  just  re- 
turned.    The  business  having  been  closed  with  the  Huron  chief, 
the   Dolawares  interposed    in  behalf  of  the  Maquichee  clan 
of  the  Shawanese.     These  Indians  were  now  apparently  very 
humble  ;  but,  apprehensive  that  they  might  not  perhaps  manage 
their  own  case  very  well,  the  Delawares  had  kept  them  back 
from  the  council,  and  undertaken  their  cause  themselves,     Kel 
leleman,  a  Delaware  chief,  informed  Colonel  Brodhead  that  on 
arriving  there,  their  grand-children*  had  addressed  them  thus  :— 
"  Grandfathers  :  We  are  humble,  and  are  now  come  unto 
you.     Now  I  am  come  to  you,  I  take  my  hands  and  wipe  your 
eyes,  that  you  may  clearly  see  the  light,  and  that  these  are  your 
grand-children  who  now  appear  before  you,  and  likewise  remove 
every  obstruction  from  your  eyes,  that  you  may  hear  and  un- 
derstand me,     I  also  compose  your  heart,  that  you  may  be  dis- 
posed to  pity  your  poor  grand-children,  as  your  ancient  chiefs 
used  to  pity  their  grand-children,  the  Maquicheos,  when  they 
were  poor  or  humble  before  them.     Now,  my  grandfathers,  I  tell 
you  to  pity  your  grand-children,  the  Maquichees,  and  whatever 
you  direct  them  to  do,  will  be  done.     Now  you  have  heard 
your  grand-children  speak,  and  you  will  judge  what  to  sav  to 
your  brother,  Maghiiigive  Keeshuch. 

'J'^f'o  slring-s  of  white  wampum. 
Now,  grandfathers,  here  is  a  little  tobacco  to  fill  your  pipes 
that  you  may  consider  and  pity  your  grand-children  the  Maqui- 
chees." ^ 

Kelleleman  farther  reported  to  Colonel  Brodhead,  that  after 
the  foregoing  speech,  Keeshmattsee,eL  Maquichee  chief,  rose  and 
said  to  the  Delawares : — 

"  Grandfathers  :  I  now  take  my  chief  and  counsellor, 
Nimwha,  and  set  him  down  on  the  ground  before  you,  that  he 
may  assist  you  in  considering  the  distressed  situation  of  vour 
grand-children." 

Another  Delaware  chief,  named  Killbusk,  then  addressed 
Colonel  Brodhead  thus  : — 

"  Brother  Maghinqive  Keeshuch  :  Listen  to  me.  You 
always  told  me  that  when  any  nations  came  to  treat  of  peace,  I 

♦In  Indian  parlance  the  Delawares  were  styled  the  "Grandfathers"  of  the 
Shawanese  j«nd  hence  the  use,  in  these  proceedings,  of  the  terma  redprocaiiy  of 
"Grantt-children"  ai»d  "Grandfathers.'*  "P'ocaiiy  oi 


i' 


if 


i       3    m 


V 


lii 

¥ 


f 


\l  * 


m: 


\¥ 


if,, 

:  ■■  ■:  J' 

illii 
lint 


ill  • 


^ 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 


Should  first  spenk  to  them,  mid  tell  you  my  sentiments  of  them  • 
whidi  I  am  now  come  to  do  in  rojjard  to  my  grand-children; 
the  Maquichees.  •-  °  > 

"  I  told  them  I  was  much  obliged  to  them  for  clcarmo-  mv 
eyes,  my  ears,  and  composing  my  heart,  and  that  it  was  time, 
tor  many  bad  things  enter  into  my  ears." 

Then  turning  to  the  MaquKl^ees,  Killbush  continued  his 
speech : — 

« I  remember  you  told  me  to  pity  you,  and  it  is  true  I  have 
pitied  you,  my  grand-children,  the  Nhawanese. 

"Now  I  tell  you,  my  grand-children,  it  is  very  avcH  you  put 
me  in  mind  of  my  wise  ancestors,  who,  out  of  pity,  took  you  up 
and  placed  you  before  them.  J'  «  "p 

"  My  graxxd-children  :  The  Maquichees,  it  is  true,  you 
have  done  no  harm,  but  I  see  some  stains  of  blood  upon  you 
which  the  mischief  and  folly  of  some  of  your  young  men  have 
6ccasioned.  Now,  my  grand-children,  I  will  advise  you  how 
to  be  cleansed  from  your  bloody  stains;  deliver  to  our  brother 
Maghmgivo  Keeshuch  ah  his  flesh  and  blood  which  are  prison- 
ers  in  your  hands,  and  the  horses  you  have  stolen  from  the 
Americans.  My  grand-children,  when  you  have  done  tliis,  you 
will  then  be  clean  ;  your  flesh  and  heart  will  be  the  same  as 
mine,  and  I  can  again  take  -ou  up  and  set  you  down  before  me 
as  our  wise  chiefs  formerly  did. 

«  Now,  my  grand-children,  I  tell  you  that  for  several  years  past 
you  have  been  fraught  with  lies,  which  I  am  tired  of  hearing 
and  in  future  you  must  tell  mo  nothing  but  the  truth.  "' 

"  Now  listen  to  me,  my  grand-children  ;  you  sec  how  dread- 
fill  the  day  looks,  and  liow  thick  the  clouds  appear  ;  don't  ima- 
gine this  day  to  be  like  that  on  which  you  first  came  to  your 
grandfathers.     I  tell  you  thnt  I  have  finished  the  chain  of  friend- 
ship.    The  thirteen  United  States  and  I  are  one.     I  have  al- 
ready assisted  my  brother  in  taking  the  flesh  of  the  English  and 
the  Mingoes.    You  told  me  just  now,  that  whatever  I  told  you 
you  would  do  ;  now  I  offer  you  the  flesh  of  the  English  and 
Mingoes  to  eat,  and  that  is  the  only  method  I  know  of  by  which 
your  lives  may  be  preserved,  and  you  allowed  to  live  in  peace," 
(delivering  them  a  string  of  wampum  and  two  scalps.)     They 
received  the  string  and  scalps,  and  said  they  were  glad  to  know 
this;  and,  as  they  had  before  said,  whatever  their  grandfathers 


% 

r 


•I 
1-3 


Illii! 


[1779. 

■nts  of  thoin; 
lud-cliildren, 

clearing  my 
it  Was  time, 

>ntinucd  his 


true  I  have 

^cll  you  put 
took  you  up 

5  true,  you 
I  upon  you. 
;  men  have 
ie  you  flow 
our  brother 
are  prison- 
n  from  the 
le  this,  you 
he  same  as 
I  before  me. 

I  years  past 
)f  hearing-, 

low  drcad- 
doii't  ima- 
le  to  your 
1  of  friend- 
I  have  al- 
nglish  and 
[  told  you, 
glish  and 
by  which 
in  peace," 
i.)     They 
1  to  know 
md  fathers 


1779.] 


BATTLE   ON   THE    OHIO. 


49 


told  thoni,  they  would  do,  so  they  told  them  again  on  receiving 
the  sculps.  They  said,  «  now,  grandfathers,  I  am  very  glad  to 
hear  what  you  have  said  ;  I  have  got  in  my  hand  what  you  say 
will  save  my  life,"  and  immediately  sang  his  war-song.  The 
speaker,  fuiving  danced,  delivered  the  scalps  to  the  king,  who 
likewise  rose  and  sang  the  war-song,  and  said ;  "  Now,  my  grand- 
fathers, although  you  have  often  sent  good  speeches  to  the  other 
tribes  of  the  ShiuvanCvSe  nation,  yet  they  would  not  receive  them 
but  still  took  up  the  tomahawk  to  strike  your  brothers.  I  will 
now  go  and  deliver  them  what  I  now  have  in  my  hands,  which 
I  suppose  they  will  receive." 

These  proceedings  were  closed  by  the  following  speech  from 
one  of  the  Delawares  to  Colonel  Brodhead  :~ 

"  Brother  :  We  now  let  you  know  the  result  of  our  council 
respecting  the  Maquichees. 

"  Brother  :  Listen.  This  is  the  way  I  have  considered  the 
matter,  and  if  I  am  mistaken  I  am  very  sorry  for  it.  Brother 
let  us  both  consider  of  it.  I  thought  when  I  looked  in  his  eyes 
that  he  was  sincere. 

"  Brother  :  I  think  the  Maquichees  are  honest.  In  former 
times  they  were  the  best  of  the  Shawanese  nation.  I  think 
we  may  take  them  by  the  hand  ;  and  you  know  you  told  me 
that  any  nation  I  took  by  the  hand,  you  would  also  receive." 

The  conference  appears  to  have  been  satisfactory  to  Colonel 
Brodhead.    But  if  the  Maquichee  clan  of  the  Shawanese  pre- 
served their  fidelity,  the  main  body  of  the  nation  became  none 
the  less  unfriendly  by  their  means.    And  although  Colonel 
Brodhead  had  admonished  them  that  he  would  not  countermand 
the  orders  to  Colonel  Clarke  to  strike  them,  it  so  happened  that 
the  first  and  severest  blow  was  struck  by  the  Shawanese  them- 
selves.   It  was  but  a  short  time  after  the  closing  of  the  council 
a(  Fort  Pitt,  that  a  detachment  of  seventy  men  from  the  Ken 
tucky  district  of  Virginia,  under  the  command  of  Major  Rodgers, 
was  surprised  while  ascending  the  Ohio,  and  nearly  extermi^ 
nated.    The  Kentuckians  were  drawn  ashore  by  a  stratagem. 
At  first,  a  few  Indians  only  appeared,  standing  upon  a  sand-bar 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Licking  river,  while  a  canoe,  with  three 
other  Indians,  was  paddling  toward  them  as  though  to  receive 
them  on  board.    R/idgcrs  immediatf-ly  put  in  to  the  Kentucky 
shore,  and  having  made  fast  his  boats,  went  in  pursuit.    Only 


ii. 


'W 


II I 


;»,  i 


i 

'  'I 

HI 


'.t 


50 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 


i 


m 


% 


Mm 

m 


five  or  six  Indians  hod  been  seen,  and  Rodders,  prosnr.m.jj  that 

1     w  I  '        T^"i'^  '""  "^  '^'^  ''^''y  -•'^^"T-'-vin?  seventy 
men  well  armed  and  provided.     Proceeding  canti-msly  toward 

t^  ponu  where  h..  supposed  he  should  surronnd  ,he\nen.' 
and  havuig  adjusted  Ins  n.ovements  wuh  that  design,  n,   tli; 

n  et  r?  7"".  "^"  ^''^'^'"'^  '"  rush  forward  and  se- 
cure them,  he  found  hnnself  with  his  whole  foree  in  the  n.idst 
o.m  ambuscade  !  The  Indians  rose  in  a  cloud  of  hundreds  on 
u  I  sides  of  him,  and  pouring  in  a  close  and  deadly  fire  upon 
^0  Amencans,  rushed  upon  the  survivors  tomahav  k  in  hand. 

Sw  tl^Tr  """"^./'''y-'r  f  ^»«  --  -ere  killed  almost 
1I.S  antly.     Th.  residue  ran  for  the  boats,  but  the  guard  of  only 

umtirV  '"'  rT  ''''  "^  '"'''^'^  ''"^  songlu  security  by 
pated  the  fugitives  by  taking  possession  of  the  others.  The  pos- 
sibility of  retreat  being  thus  cut  off,  the  brave  fellows  now  turned 
furiously  upon  the  enemy ;  and  as  night  was  approaching,  after  a 
shurp  fight  tor  some  time,  a  small  number,  aided  bv  the  dark- 
mm,  succeeded  in  effecting  their  escape  to  Harrodsbur'^h 

Among  the  wounded  in  this  sharp  and  bloody  encounter,  who 
escaped  both  death  and  captivity,  were  Captain  Robert  Benham 
and  another  man,  whose  cases,  together,  form  a  nov.q  and 
romantic  adventure.    Benham  was  shot  through  botli  hi.,  and 
the  bones  being  shattered,  he  instantly  fell.     Still,  aided  by  (h. 
darkness,  he  succeeded  in  crawling  among  the  thick  branches 
of  a  fallen    ree,  where  he  lay  without  molestation  through  tlie 
iiight  and  during  the  following  day,  while  the  Indians,  who 
Iiad  returned  for  that  purpose,  were  stripping  the  slain      Ho 
contintted  to  lie  close  in  the  place  of  his  retreat  until  the  second 
day,  when,  iTccommg  hungry,  and  observing  a  raccoon  descend- 
ing a  tree,  he  nianaged  to  shoot  it-hoping  to  be  able  to  strike  a 
f.ro,  and  cook  the  animal.     The  crack  of  the  rifle  was  followed 
by  a  human  cry,  which  at  first  startled  the  Captain;  hut  the 
cry  bemg  repeated,  several  times,  the  voice  of  a  Kentuckian 
was  at  length  recognized;  the  call  was  returned;  and  the  par- 
lies  were  soon  together.     The  man  proved  to  be  one  of  his 
comrades,  who  had  lost  both  of  his  arms  in  the  battle.    Never 
before  did  misery  find  more  welcome  company.     One  of  the 
parties  could  use  his  foet,  and  the  othc-  his  hands.    Denham  by 


■ft 


[1779. 

imsuriiing  that 
ecu  or  twenty 
luvinjr  seventy 
tiously  toward 
d  tlift  enemy, 
design,  at   tliP 
•rwiird  and  se- 
e  in  tlie  midst 
f  hundreds  on 
dly  fire  upon 
ia\  k  in  hand, 
killed  almost 
^lard  of  only 
It  security  by 
Iready  antici- 
's.     The  pos- 
s  now  turned 
iching,  after  a 
by  the  dark- 
iburgh. 
coiuiter,  who 
)ert  Benham, 
t  novel  and 
)tli  hi;;?;,  and 
aided  by  the 
ck  branches 
through   the 
tidiaus,  who 
■  slain.     Ho 
1  the  second 
on  descend- 
le  to  strike  a 
'as  followed 
in;  hut  the 
Kentuckian 
nd  the  par- 
one  of  his 
tie.    Never 
One  of  the 
jenhum,  by 


1779.] 


OENICRAI.    PnoaRKHS   OF   THE    WAK. 


ft; 


tearing  up  his  own  mid  liis  compwiion's  shirts,  dro.s.sfid  thfj 

wounds  of  botli.     He  could  In*!  Im  ri/Id  and  fiie  with  rcfidi- 

ness,  and  was  thus  enabled  to  kill  such  game  as  ai)proached, 

while  his  companion  could  roll  the  game  along  upon  the  ground 

with  his  feet,  and  in  the  same  manner  collect  wood  enough 

together  to  cook  their  meals.     When  thirsty,  Benham  coiHd 

place  his  hat  in  the  teeth  of  Ws  comnanion,  who  went  to  tho 

Licking,  and  wading  in  until  he  cc  Td  vitottn  down  and  fill  it,  ro- 

turned  with  a  hat-full  of  water.     vV!v.;u  dv  stock  of  squirrels, 

and  other  small  game  in  their  imr  \v.c>  tte  nei;  iborhood,  was  ex 

hausted,  the  man  on  his  legs  woulii  r>->r\m  a    ly,  and  drive  up  a 

flock  of  wild  turkies,  then  abundani     i  ihose  parts,  until  they 

came  within  the  range  of  Benham's  rifle.     Thus  they  liv--d,  helps, 

meet  for  each  other,  during  tlio  period  of  six  weeks,  when  they 

discovered  a  boat  upon  the  Ohio,  which  took  them  off.    Both 

recovered  thoroughly  from  their  wounds.* 

No  other  events  of  moment  occurred  in  the  region  professedly 
embraced  in  the  present  history,  during  the  residue  of  the  year 
1779  ;  and  the  progress  of  the  war  in  other  parts  of  the  Union 
had  been  marked  with  but  few  signal  actions.      The  active 
operations  of  this  year  between  the  British  forces  proper  and 
the  Americans,  had  commenced  in  the  south,  to  the  command 
of  which  section  of  the  country  General  Lincoln  had  been 
assigned  at  the  close  of  1778.     The  first  occurrence  was  the 
surprise  and  defeat,  on  the  3d  of  March,  of  General  Ash   -om- 
mfinding  a  body  of  fifteen  hundred   North  Carolina  in^litia, 
stationed  at  the  confluence  of  Briar  Treek,  on  the  Savannah 
viver,  by  the  British  General  Provost.     There  wore  about  sixty 
regular  troops  under  General  Ash,  who  fought  well.     But  the 
militia,  as  usual,  threw  away  their   arms  and  fled,  with  the 
exception  of  about  three  hundred,  who  were  either  killed  or 
taken.    In  May,  General  Provost  invested  Charleston,  but  raised 
the  siege  on  the  approach  of  Lincoln  upon  his  rear.     Ho  at  first 
retired  to  the  island,  but  soon  withdrew  to  Savannah,  where  he 
was  in  turn  besieged  by  Lincoln  in  October,  on  the  land  side, 
and  l)y  the  French  fleet  under  the  Count  D'Estaing  by  water. 

*  Cnpfnin  Benham  afterward  served  with  bravery  in  the  Indian  wars  ol 
1789-94,  sharing  the  disaster  of  St.  Clair  nnd  the  victory  of  Wayne.  At  the 
close  of  the  Rcvohition,  he  purchased  tho  land  whereon  he  was  wounded  at  the 
Ume  of  Rudgers's  defi;at,  built  a  house  there,  and  tijcre  lived  and  died. 


i\' 


'  . 

■l' ' 

■    'if 

'  f 

■  .1 

,"' 

»    ■  : 

i( 


li 


62 


r  -n 


I  I 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 


^txt '"  ''^"^"J^^^^^^"^  «^«-"It,  after  much  brave  fightino  bv 
tinl    .rr  '"^  '^'"'^'  ^^^  fl^^^  °f  the  latter  left  the  co„^ 

nssinl     Z  u  °^"  '■''t'""^  to  Charleston.     Li  this 

S  S;  ™^,t^^P^o"d  spirits,  fell  the  brave  Polish  Coun 

Lm     KiL^^      ?  ^^  '  ^''^  ^'^-^^"^^"^  '•'"d  efficacious  strata 
gem.    Kmdimg  a  large  number  of  fires  aftPr  th^  rr.  v,         7 

In  the  middle  and  northern  sections  c^f  t\..  tt  •        , 
during  .he  Sununer  had  ossuLdTe "hi  ^^.^i  ^fl'T 

ar-d  sacked     Several  ho,«3  i„  East  Haven  we^ T™  ,     Pdr 
field,  Green's  Far,ns,  and  Nor>vaIk,  were  likewTi  S   n^l 
der«.,  and  l^d  in  a.hes.    The  A„-,ricans,  con^M  g  hieS   rf 
ml  ma  under  General  Lovell,  made  an  attempt  .,p„^  a  British, 
post  at  Penobscot,  which  was  ,  .mmenced  i,,nm,r      n  .  ^ 

arrival  of  Sir  George  Collier's  360^^,  „i„f  '^^     "^f  ""' 

/l,o  r'„.„i  .     u     J      """  "  °^'i '""'  remforcements,  oh  ired 
^le  General  to  abandon  the  enterprise.     These  untoward  events 

fh?R  ?.T!  ''^T'^  ^5^  ^^J°^  Lee's  suT^rise  and  capture  S 
he  Bntish  fort  at  ^aulus  Hook,  and  by  the  still  more  SL; 
affair  of  the  capture  of  Stony  Point  by  General  m^ie 


t- 


[1779. 

i^e  fighting  by 
r  left  the  con- 
ning to  their 
on.  Li  this 
Polish  Count 
I  country  by 
isted  by  only 
>nly  relief  to 
'hn  White  of 

of  a  British 
■  five  anned 
icious  strata- 
lanner  of  an 
ier,  Captain 
a  to  pieces, 
ifly  superior 
ion. 

the  contest 
•  of  a  preda- 
CoUier  and 
n  the  coast 
ent,  return- 
led  expedi- 
Jeorge  and 

was  taken 
rnt.    Fair- 
ken,  plun- 
:  chiefly  of 
I  a  British 
But  th*? 
ts,  obliged 
ird  events, 
capture  of 

'  brilliant 
le. 


i'l 


CHAPTER  n. 

Progress  of  the  war  in  the  South-Fall  of  Charlegton-Brilliant  achieyementa- 
Rigorou,  winter  of  I730-De3truction  of  the  Onoida  Castle  and  vnia'es^^lTird 
marriap  of  Brant--Irruplion  into  Harperefield-Captivity  of  Captmn  Hnruer 
Freeg.ftPatch.n  and  others-Conduct  of  Brant-Consnltation  wh.  1  e  to  put  iho 
pr.3oner»  to  deatl.-Sagarity  and  firmness  of  Harper-Marched  olitbr  Nh,»a  a- 
Remarkable  adventures  by  the  way-Murder  of  an  old  .nan-Cure  of  iKv-r 
andague-A  thnl.ng  scene-Sufferings  for  food-Justice  and  impa  di  v  of 
Bnnt-Approach  to  N.agara-The  ordeal-Humane  devi..-c  of  Brant  to  sav/hL 
prisoners  from  the  tnal-Arr  val  at  Niagara-Further  irruptions  of  ti  e  Ind  an-- 
Shawangurjk-Saugert.es-€apt.v.ty  of  Captain  Snyder  and  his  s,m-Anivu  at 

^eapTTi^vT'"".^  v";;^''^  f  °''"''°"'  ^'^'"''"^  Brant-Pr.soners  sent  to  Mon- 
treal-The  Mohawk  Valley-Bravery  of  Solomon  Woodruff-Irruption  toLiltlo 
Falls-Burnmg  of  Ei.is's  Mills-Incidents  on  the  Ohio-Bold  exS  ,7  Mr  !n 

Colonel  Clarke  takes  vengeance  upon  the  Slu.wanc3e.  (=1  iiiLmuii 

The  succeeding  year  opened  inauspiciously  to  the  American 
arras.    No  sooner  had  Sir  Henry  Clinton  heard  of  the  departure 
of  Count  D'Estaing  from  the  Southern  coast  with  the  French 
fleet,  than  he  prepared  for  a  formidable  descent  upon  South 
Carolma.     Charleston  was  the  first  and  most  prominent  object 
of  attack     The  expedition  destined  upon  this  service  left  New- 
York  about  the  close  of  January,  and  in  due  season  the  troops 
effected  their  landing  about  thirty  miles  from  Charleston.    The 
object  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  mistaken,  and  General  Lincoln 
made  every  exertion  for  the  defence  of  the  important  post  en- 
trusted to  his  command,  by  increasing  his  forces  and  strenoth- 
emng  his  works.     Before  the  middle  of  April  the  town  was 
mvested  by  sea  and  land,  and  Lincoln  was  suimnoned  to  sur 
render-which  summons  with  modest  firmness  he  declined  to 

tJ'T     '"'^'  '"'"'^^'^  ^"  '''  ^'^  preliminary  operations 
-Tarieton  haying  cut  up  Colonel  White's  cavalry  on  the  San- 
tee,  and  .'ort  Moultrie  having  surrendered  to  the  Royal  Navy- 
Uie  garrison,  finding  itself  without  reasonable  hope  of  relief  pro- 
posea  terms  of  capitulation,  which  were  rejected  by  th    B  iSh 
commander.    Hostilities  were  meantime  p  osecutej  w^^h  J^a^ 
energy,  and  after  a  tremendous  cannonade  and  bombaniment 
lasting  from  the  6th  to  the  11th  of  May,  General  UncohTw^ 
forced  mvo  a  capitulation.    His  garrison  co,i..i«t.d    all  told  S 
about  nve  thousand  men-.f  whom  no  more  than  two  i^JsJud 


p  if  a 


!l  I 


'i 


64 


LIFE    OF   BRAJiTT, 


J     J 


nm 


!' 


[1780 

were  continental  troops.     The  loss  wa.  heavy-including  ni> 
ward  offour  hundred  pieces  of  cannon 
Having  accomplished  th--.  object,  Sir  Henry  divided  his  forces 

S     T  '°  ™''  ^'^P^*^'^'"§^  ^hem  in  as  many  directions, 
with  a  view  01  overruning  the  whole  Southern  states.    Clinton 

Zht         rT.    P'''^'""  ^^"'■^^"^  "^  ^^^^  South,  which  called 

ter,  and  (heix  associates  m  arms,  and  which  was  attended  with 

0  many  brilliant  exploits.     There  are  no  more  vivid  and  thril 

ling  pages  in  American  history  than  the  records  of  those  partizan 

operations,  the  mcidents  of  which  amounted  to  little  in  them- 

ZlTf""Tf^-  '''^^^'''^'  but  in  the  general  results  tliey 
<vere  of  infinite  importance  to  the  cause  of  the  republic-since 
the  invaders  were,  in  fact,  weakened  by  every  victory,  while 
defea  did  not  discourage  the  Americans,  who  were  gainit  bl 
moral  and  physical  strength  by  the  protraction  of  the  stnigl 
Bu.the.e  distant  glances  are  incidental -the  North  being  Ihe 
mam  field  of  .-esearch.  " 

The  devastation  of  their  country  by  General  Sullrvan~the 
destruction  of  their  houses,  a.  well  a.  their  means  of  sub  fs! 

ter  ot  1779-80-the  usual  winter-quarters  of  Brant,  Guy  John- 
bvT A  ^'^^.«"^'r~'^ther  and  son.     As  had  been'  anti'cipa'd 
by  the  American  Commander-in-chief,  the  Indians  suffered  Great- 
ly by  destitution  and  consequent  sickness  during  that  whiter 
which...  one  of  unexampled  rigor  in  North  America.*    ^ 
neuher  the  inclemency  of  the  weatUer,  nor  the  wants  of  the 
Indians  at  Niagara,  prevented  them  from  fulfilling  the  threat  of 
S.r  Frederick  Haldin    ud  against  the  Oneidas.     Their     1    1: 
and  castle  were   invaded   by  the  hostile   Indians,  aided  by'  a 
detachment  of  British  troops,  or  more  probably  by  a  coi^'of 
Butler's   rangers,  and  entirely  destroyed-their    castle,   tlicb 
church,  and  their  dwellings  being  alike  laid  in  ashes ;  ^^^  ,le 
Oneidas  themselves  were  driven  down  upon  the  white    ett! 


Ill 


[17S0 
-including  ui> 

ided  his  forces 
my  directions, 
ates.     Clinton, 
nmenced  tliat 
1,  which  called 
larion,  Sump- 
attended  with 
ivid  and  thril- 
those  partizan 
ittle  in  them- 
1  results  tliey 
public — since 
t^ictory,  while 
!  gaining  both 
the  struggle. 
I'th  being  the 

•ullivan — the 
ns  of  subsis- 
fbr  the  win- 
t,  Guy  John- 
ri  anticipated 
iffered  great- 
that  winter, 
erica.*    But 
i^ants  of  the 
the  threat  of 
lieir  villages 
nidod  by  a 
'  a  corps  of 
astle,   their 
;  while  the 
^hite  settle- 
ibsequeutly 
!  they  were 

n  (iiiie  during 
lieuicd  over  to 


1780.] 


HIS   THIRD   MARRIAGE. 


56 


supported  by  the  government  of  the  United  States  until  the  close 
01  the  war.* 

Aside  from  the  destruction  of  the  Oneida  country,  it  is  be- 
lieved that  no  important  object  was  undertaken  by  Thavenda- 
negea  until  the  opening  of  Spring.    It  may  be  noted,  however, 
mcidentally,  a?  an  illustration  of  the  character  of  the  Moliawk 
chief,  that  duri-ig  this  winter  he  was  married  to  his  third  wife 
at  the  fort  of  Niagara,  under  circumstances  somewhat  peculiar' 
Among  the  prisoners  taken  to  that  post  from  Cherry  Vallev,  was 
a  Miss  Moore,  wlio,  being  detained  in  captivity  with  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell and  others,  was  courted  and  married  by  an  officer  of  'he 
garrison.     Thayendanegea  was  present  at  the  wedding-  and 
although  he  had  for  some  time  previous  been  iivino-  with  his 
wife,  bound  only  by  the  ties  of  an  Indian  marria^e,\e  never- 
theless embraced  the  opportunity  of  having  the  En-Wish  mar- 
riage ceremony  performed,  which  was  accordingly  do^e  by  Co- 

But  the  chief  was  seldom  inactive.     The  month  of  April 
found  him  on  the  war-path,  at  the  head  .(  a  small  party  of  Tn 

persfield,  which  was  takeu  by  surprise  and  destroyed.    In  con- 
equence  of  their  exposed  situation,  most  of  the  inhabitants  h^d 
left  the  settlement,  so  that  there  were  but  re.y  persons  k  1  "d 

nnd  only  nineteen  taken  prisoners.     Proceedino- from  n 
fififl  Jt  ,,r  c  T>      *)     1    •  *  fi^ceeanig  uom  Harpers- 

fiekl,,tw.u,  Brmfs  design  ,o  make  an  attack  upon  ti.e  upper 
for  of  .ehohane,  should  h„  deep,  i,  p„,d«,t  to  epeofnterT 
risk,  after  duly  recoppoiteripg  the  situatiou  of  the  fort  aud  a' 
cma,„,„g  „s  means  of  defepco.  The  execution  of  d,is  „  of 
his  project  was  prevented  by  an  unexpected  occurrence  Har 
persfield  was  probably  destroyed  on  the  5tb  or  6th  of  April      It 

in  his  communications  to  the  Massa  hnsP  f,  T-T  ^  ,  c  '""^'"'  ''''""'^  ''""" 
valuable  collections     In  one  of  fhll  °"""'  S'^'''«^>-P''bli«hed  in  tnoir 

.hisdi.per.onofTh;o:Ja:!nHHra~^^^ 

trimental  to  their  nation    When  hi  7  [  ''^•=""'^"""fO.  -ero  greatlv  dc 

of  re,ulari.v,  indus  ;  ;„7p"  1^ r^BlT'  ''T  '''  r''"''  '°  «°-  "«^-- 
want,  dependence.  anlbJec^o^^hlLltTb"  '^'"" '•'•'■^. '"'"'-'  -^"-^  ^o 
than  ,  ver,  an,!  H.,,  nev  JncLS'.  'l'^'^ '"""^"'"^'^  intemperate  and  idle 


■•■y  never  ncovor.d  from  their depi 


rcsaion. 


"I , 
( 


.:  vih 


•f\ 


iv 


66 


1 1 


I-IPE   OF   EKANT. 


[1780. 


happened  that  nearly  at  the  same  time,  Colonel  Vrooman.  who 
^as  yet  m  command  of  Old  Schoharie,  had  sent  out  a^mof 
tourteen  mihtxa-mmute-men,  with  directions  to  pass  over  to  the 
head  waters  of  the  Charlotte  river,  and  keep  an  eye  upon  the 

mat  stream^     It  hemg  the  proper  season  for  making  maple  su 
gar  the  mmute-men  were  hkewise  directed  to  remXiuthe 
woods  and  manufacture  a  quantity  of  that  article,  of^Lh  he 
^nson  were  greatly  in  want.     On  the  2d  of  A^ril  th  s  tt 
the  commander  of  which  was  Captain  Alexander  HaC  com 
menced  their  labors  in  the  "sugar-bush,"   at  the  dSce  o 
about  thmy  miles  from  Schoharie!    The;  were  occupSd  in  the 
discharge  of  th.s  part  of  their  duty,  very'  chelr^u^and  "^^^ 
good  success,  for  several  days,  entirely  unapprehensive  of  In 
ger ,  mo  e  especially  as  a  new  fall  of  snow,  to  tlie  depth  of  three 

Itl  IZ     rr^'  '^y  ^"PP°^^'  ^'  '"oving  of  any  cons ide 
^able  body  of  the  enemy,  while  in  fact  they  were  not  aware  of 
the  existence  of  an  armed  foe  short  of  Niagara.    But  thdr  on^ 
rations  were  most  unexpectedly  interrupld.     ft    een^  th^i" 
Brant,  in  wending  his  way  from  Harper^field  toward  Schoharie 
fell  suddenly  upon  Harper  and  his  party  on  the  7th  of  AprUat' 
ak>at  two  o^lock  m  the  afternoon,  and  immediately  surroSed 
hem-his  force  consisting  of  forty-three  Indian  warrior"  and 
even  Tories     So  silent  and  cautious  had  been  the  approach  of 
the  enemy,  that  the  first  admonition  Harper  received  of   hek 
presence,  was  the  death  of  three  of  his  lUtle  band, 'who  were 
struck  do^vn  while  engaged  in  their  work.     The  lelder  wL 
mstanly  discovered  in  the  person  of  the  Mohawk  chief  Z 
nished  up  to  Captain  Harper,  tomahawk  in  hand,  and  ob    rved- 

Harper,  I  am  sorry  to  find  you  here  !"    «  Whv  arp  vnn  7 
Captain  Brantr'  replied  thJ  other.     ^^B^^'^^":^: 

tl  1T7  "^^  '°"'  ^''""^'  "^  ^^'^  scho;i-matri^    u 
youth,  -at  the  same  time  raising  his  hatchet,  and  suitin«.  the 
action  to  the  word.    Suddenlyhis  arm  fell,  and  with  a  p  efc  L 
scrutiny,  looking  Harper  full  in  the  face,  he  iiiquired-'  A  f 
there  any  regular  troops  at  the  forts  in  Schoharie  F    Ha^r 

♦  The  late  Ofinnriil  Froeeift  P;.(rliin  nr«oi„u    • 
-.so  were  hi,  ^^ro.^^r,  i...^ p!:^^.]^^^^^ 

Henry.     It  i,  from  Prio«t's  Narra.iv   of  the  c  p7v'i,v  of  n  "'  l^'''  ""'  '^"■*"^ 
author  obtained  the  facts  of  thi.  transaction  ^  ""■"'  ^""^'""'  """  '^^ 


*il 


[1780. 

''rooman,  who 
out  a  scout  of 
ss  over  to  the 
eye  upon  the 

the  valley  of 
ng  maple  su- 
remain  in  the 
of  which  the 
il,  this  p.'irty, 
Harper,  com- 
■  distance  of 
:;upied  in  the 
ly  and  with 
isive  of  dan- 
epth  of  three 
any  conside- 
ot  aware  of 
lit  their  ope- 

seems  that 
I  Schoharie, 
of  April,  at 
surrounded 
arriors  and 
approach  of 
Bd  of  their 

who  were 
leader  was 
chief,  who 
Dbserved — 
yoji  sorry, 
joined  the 
ates  in  our 
suiting  the 
a  piercing 
ed— «  Are 
'    Harper 

er's  party,  as 
.  and  Miijnr 
Mn,  that  the 


1730.1 


CAPTIVI     r    OP   CAPTAIN    HARPER. 


67 


caught  the  idea  in  an  instant.     To  answer  truly,  and  admit  that 
tliero  were  none,  as  was  the  fact,  would  hm  hasten  Brunt  ;md 
las  warriors  forward  to  fall  upon  tlie  settlements  at  ouce,  and 
their  dosfrucaon  would  have  been  swift  and  sure.     He  H'orelbre 
inlormed  him  that  a  reinforcement  of  three  hundred  Continen- 
tal troops  had  arrived  to  garrison  the  forts  only  two  or  three 
days  before.     This  information  appeared  very  much  to  disconcert 
he  clueftam      He  prevented  the  farther  sheddin-r  of  blood,  and 
hc.da  consultation  with  his  subordinate  chiefs.   '  ]N>ht  coniincr 
on,  Harper  and  his  ten  surviving  companions  were  "shut  up  ii" 
a  pen  of  logs,  and  giiarded  by  the  Tories,  under  the  charge  ot 
ihetr  leader,  a  cruel  fellow  named  Becraft,  and  of  bloody  noto- 
riety in  that  war.     Controversy  ran  high  among  the  Indians 
duru-g  the  night-the  question  being,  Vhether  ^he  pdsoZ 
should  be  put  to  death  or  carried  to  Niagara.      They  we  e 
bound  hand  and  foot,  but  were  so  near  the  Vidian  council  Tto 
hoar  much  of  wliat  was  said,  and  Harper  knew  enough  otle 

J  ;ir^"rV^'""P^^'"'^'  »^-  general  import  of^eir 
bates.     The    nd.ans  were  for  putting  them  ti  death  ;  a^id  Be- 
craft frequently  tantalized  the  prisoners,  by  telling  them  w  th 
abus.ve    one.  and  epithets,  that  "they  would  be  in  hdlbefo  e 

::;;::v^ut,^^r^r"^^'^^-----^ 

On  the  following  morning  Harper  was  brought  before  the 
Induins  for  examination.     The  Chief  commenced  by  sayit 
that   hey  were  suspicious  he  had  not  told  them  the  trufh  Tlaf 
per,  however,  had  great  coolness  and  presence  of  Zd     'Z 
irhough  Brant  was  eyeing  him  like  a  basilisk,  he  rep  ated  wt 
.•me>.  statements  without  the  improper  movomkt  of  a  mutcl 
0.  betraynig  the  least  distmstful  sign  or  svmptorn.     Belt     sat  s 
fied,  therefore,  of  the  truth  of  his  story,  Bram  determTn^to  re 
trace  his  steps  to  Niagara.     This  he  did  with  great  rductai  ce 
adnmting  to  Captain  Harper  that  the  real  ^bje    "f       '",: 
d.t.on  was  to  fall  upon  Schoharie,  which  place  "as  thov     wlT^ 
n.formed,  wa.  almost  entirely  u  idefendJ^^      iT  tj  ! 

to  lead  his  warriors  to  spoils  Ind  victor  and  " ev  w  '"""'''^ 
at  being  thus  cut  short  of  their  exr^SlZ  7^7  ""^""^ 
cumstances  of  chagrin  and  li^^Z  lu!^' TV'^ 

with  great  di.icu.ty  th.t  ho  couldl^ist;^;;; s  J,  :!  .^"^n tt 
img  them  to  death.     Jin-»  ^i- --^  ^    ■  •      '.■'™'^'^  ''om  put- 


t .    'I 


ant  th 


VOL.   II. 


en  said  to  Captain  Harper,  that 


he 


LIFE    OP   BRANT,  [1780. 

and  his  companions  should  be  spared,  on  condition  of  accompa- 
nying him  as  prisoners  of  war  to  Niagara. 

Their  mrrch  was  forthwitli  cnmnenced,  and  was  full  of  pain, 
peril,  and  adventure.     The  pri^^oners  were  heavily  laden  wi'lj 
the  booty  taken  from  Harp.  ;sfield,  and  well  guardnrl.     Their 
direction  was  first  d  -wn  the  Delaware,  where  they  stopped  at  a 
mdl  to  obtain  provisions.     The  milier  was  a  Tory,  and  both 
himself  uud  daughters  counselled  Brant  to  i)ut  his  prisoners  to 
death.     On  the  following  day  they  met  another  loyalist.  wl,o 
was  well  acqu-aintod  with  Bronf,  und  with  Captain  Harper  and 
his  i)ni!y .     He  assured  ih,  iornier  that  Harper  iiad  deceived  him, 
and  that  there  nere  no  fronjis  ,-u  Scholiarie.     The  Captain  wns^ 
therefore,  brougfit  to  an(  J;-,  j  sor  nmy ;  but  he  succeeded  so  well 
in  miunuunin'^  die  appeaiancr  oi"  Mucority  and  tnith,  as  acrain 
to  avert  the  upr.ti.sed  and  giit  oiing  to.nuhawlc.     On  the  stme 
day  an  aged  man.  nutnod  ilvowu,  ivas  accidentally  fallen  in 
With  and  taken  prisoner,  with  two  youthful  grandsons  ;  the  d.iy 
followmg,  being  unable  to  travel  with  sufficient  speed,  and  sink- 
ing under  the  weight  of  the  burden  imix>sed  upon  him,  the  old 
mm  w.is  put  out  of  the  way  \vith  the  liatchet.     The  victim  .vas 
dra-ging  behind,  and  when  he  saw  preparations  makiu"-  for  his 
doom,  he  took  an  affectionate  farewell  of  his  little  grandsons,  and 
the  Indians  moved  on,  leaving  one  of  their  number,  with  his' face 
panited  bJa-k— the  mark  of  an  executioner— behind  with  him 
[n  a  few  mojnents  aftenvard,  the  Indian  came  up,  with  t!i  ■  old 
man's  scalp  dangling  from  between  the  ramrod  and  muzzle  of 
his  inm. 

Ha^  ing  descended  the  Delaware  a  sufficient  distance,  they 
crossed  over  to  Oghkwaga,  where  they  constructed  floats,  and 
sailed  down  the  Susquehanna  to  the  confluence  of  the  Che- 
mung, at  which  place  their  land-travelling  again  commenced 
Being  heavily  encumbered  with  luggage,  and  withal  tightly  pin- 
ioned, thr:  prisoners  must  have  sunk  by  the  way,  at  the  rate  the 
InJidj::.  travelled,and  would  probably  have  been  tomahawked  but 
for  tho  inaisposition  of  Brant,  who.  providentially  for  the  prison- 
ers, was  attacked  with  fever  and  ague-so  that  every  alternate 
day  he  was  unable  to  travel.   These  interruptions  gave  them  time 
to  rest  and  recruit.     Brant  wroxxc^    his  own  cure  by  a  truly 
Indian  remedy.     Watching  upor  ...  southern  side  of  a  hill 
ivhere  serpents  usually  crawl  forth  in  the  Spring  to  bask  in  tho 


1780.] 


A    THRILLING   INCIDENT. 


69 

sequence.  ''^'-    ^  ^'Pecdy  cure  was  the  con- 

-'ent,  as  it  subsequently Tptrred    h?""""     ^^"^  ^<-^^-h- 
^•^Pt'vo  five  athleic   JnZiZ\l         '"''''^'^''   '"  ^^"^"'? 

«0"ndly.  and  the  five  prisone  A  '  .  ^"^^""^  «'^^P  ^^^7 

^•i^y  to  n.ake  their  e.cCe     W  "'  '^''  ^''''  ^PP^'^^"" 

l>^^  the  ni,ht,  one  o SinS!  """^'^'  ^^'  ^^^'^^  f'^-'^-- 
'^i^  'mnds  fi-om  the  bindin.  co  ^  """  succeeded  n.  extncatn.g 
'""-sed  his  four  cooipt^^  Vh,  T!^'  the  utn^ost  cautiof 

t'^e  arms  of  deep  sleep  LuTd-thenT^^fT  ""^  ^^^^^^^  "^ 
"  leaf  to  rustle,  they  each  sn-,7.  h  ?  "'^^'  '''^'^^°"t  -^^i^sing 

of  their  unconsdouLnetS  ttV^^^^^^^  '""  ^'^  ^"•'^'- 
nnivering  in  the  agonies  fdcS  TheT""  "^^  "'^^""  --« 
cned,  and  sprin^in^  upon  thdr  t.      .  f '^'^  ^"^^'^  '^^^•'^'^- 

or  them  was  st-rudc  ^vith  a  h"  chJ^^^  .  "'^'     '"  ''''P''     ^ne 
tMe  other  fled.    The  nrisonlf       .''"'"""  *'"'  «'^«»J^«rs,  but 

rotreat,and  the  on  y  iS  1^  '?''  "^''^  ^"'^^  ^'"^^^^ 
--  of  his  woun  Jei  com;  r^^^^^^^  T^^^'  ^^--d  to  take 
"pproached  this  point  of  the  ouniet  .  "'.?'^  '"^  "^^'^'^^^ 
^"K  raised  a  whoop,  it  was  iL3"  ^  ""^^^'^  ^"'^^^"^  hav- 
With  the  Ciena  y  j  /  ZZTZT  '"^  '^  '  ^'"^^'«  ^-^^ 
wnrnors  rushed  Ward  Ttlm  r"'"'''  ^^^"^''  ^^^^^'^ 
»"t  long  in  doubt     The  Innp!  ''''"'''•    «"tthevwere 

to  his  brethren  the^i^Irh  ^^  rh^ ™' '"' ^^^  ^'^^^^^^^ 
««ect  upon  the  warriors,  who  ^athll        '"""^P^'ons.     The 
recital,  was  inexpressibly  fearftl^R!        '\  '  -"""""P  '"  '^^'^  '^^^ 
«eemed  to  kindle  every  Lsomtd^^h;  '"^  '  ^^'^^^  «^^^^««^e, 
m?  coals.     They  gat  Led  r^'d     '^     '"'^'^  '^^  '^  ^^^'^  b"™- 

pieces.    Harper  and  his  menofTl?  haclang  them  to 

lo^t,  not  douLting  tha  thTdno  ''  T'  ^^^^r^^eWes  up  for 
CtUntthismon.^.!;:  :  .tr^^^^^^^^  -^  i-ver^le. 
'Br.  While  their  knives  we  runs^^H  '"  ""'-"'^'^^"^^^  ^"^r- 
elitterin..,  as  thoy  ,vere  Z  p's  f  r^""'  ""^'  ^''^•»-  h.'^tchets 
y  flourished  in  the  .unbeams,  the  only 


f  ■    C     ■  '^  ■' 


^  if 


60 


X-U'K    OK   lUlANT. 


I    I 


[1780. 

sur(rivor  of  the  murdorcd  party  rushed  into  the  circle  and  in- 
terposed  in  their  llivor.     Willi  u  wave  of  the  hand  as  of  a  war- 
rior entitled  to  bo  hoard -/or  \ni  ^va^^  lnnLS(;If  ;i  chief-silence 
was  restored,  and  the  prisoners  were  nirprised  by  the  lUKuunce  of 
au  earnest  appeal  in  their  behalf,     h  has  already  been  observed 
that  Captain  Hari)er  kiiuwen,.iiir|,  of  Mie  Indian  laniriui-e  to  un- 
derstand Its  purport,  thou;;rh  unlhrtunately  not  enough  to'preserve 
Its  eloquence.     In  substance,  however,  the  Ci.ief  appealed  to  his 
brother  warriors  in  favor  of  the  prisoners,  upon  the  .Trouiid  that 
It  w.-is  not  they  who  had  munlen-d  their  brothers;  and  to  take 
the  lives  of  the  innocent  would  not  be  ri^rlit  in  the  eyes  of  the 
Great  Spirit.     His  appeal  was  cffrjctive.     The  passions  of  the 
uicensed  warriors  were  hushed,  tlu-ir  eyes  no  loncrcr  shot  forlh 
the  burning  glances  of  reven-c;,  and  their  gesticulations  ceased 
to  menace  immediate  and  bloody  vengeance. 

True,  it  so  happened  that  the  Chief  who  had  thus  thrown 
himself  spontaneously  between  them  and  death,  knew  all  tiie 
prisoners— he  having  resided  in  the  Sc)ioh;iric  canton  of  the 
Mohawks  before  the  war.     He  doubtless  felt  a  dee])er  interest  in 
their  behalf  on  that  account.     Still,  it  was  a  noble  action,  wor- 
thy of  the  proudest  era  of  chivalry,  and.  in  the  palmy  days  of 
Greece  and  Rome,  would  have  ensured  him  almost  «  an  apothe- 
osis and  rites  divine."     The  interposition  of  Pocahontas,  in  fa- 
vor of   Captam  Smith,   bef.ire  tlio  rude   court  of  Powhatfan 
was  perhaps  more  romantic;   but   when  the  motive   which' 
prompted  the  generous  action  of  the  princess  is  considered,  the 
transaction  now  under  review  oxiiibits  the  laost  of  crenuine 
i)enevolence.     Pocahontas  was  moved  by  the  tender  p;Ssion- 
the  Mohawk  sachem  by  the  feelings  of  magnanimity,  and  the 
eternal  principles  of  justice.     It  is  matter  of  regret  that  the  name 
of  this  high-souled  warrior  is  lost,  ns,  alas !  have  been  too  many 
that  might  have  served  to  relieve  tlio  dark  and  vengeful  portrai- 
tures of  Lidian  character,  wliich  it  has  so  well  pleased  the  wliite 
man  to  draw !     The  prisoners  th(!rnselves  were  so  impresseri 
with  the  manner  of  their  signal  deliverance,  that  they  justly  at- 
tributed it  to  a  direct  interposition  of  the  providence  of  God. 

The  march  was  now  resumiul  toward  Niagara,  alonc^  the 
route  travelled  by  Sullivan's  expedition  the  precedino-'Vea' 
Their  sufTermgs  were  great  for  want  of  provisions-nohhor 
warriors  nor  prisoners  having  any  tiling  more  than  a  hand  ul 


1780.J 


CAPTIVITY    OP   CAPTAIN   HARPER. 


r  61 

01  corn  each  for  dinner.    A  h.v.mr  h^ 
"<c  remains  of  a  horse  winch   nd^^^^^^^^^  "'""''''^  ''"^'"'  ^n 

dirion  to  perish  fro.n  the      v    ' h     J'  !  ''"  '^  ^"^''^^^'^  ^^'P- 
had  eaten  nil  the  flesh  from  M  ?  •  '"'"''"'•     ^^^''«  ^^^Ives 

"Pon  the  nnder  side      Wl"      tir""""'''" '^^^ 
quantity  of  the  flesh  yet  rl  a    Jtv^r'"  ^^"^  '-'-^  -er,  a 
«-ong  the  whole  party,  .7^:^'  ^  Tl'  '''''''''''' 
nessee  river,  they  met  a  nirtv  nf  i.  r  ^^^iclnnij  tlie  Go- 

These  ,a.,orers  L.d  1  fi^  ^^^^^  K!'-'"^  ^«  P'"'"  corn, 
stantly  lei  I  led,  dressed  ■,nd  divlr)  '"  '^""'^^^^^^  ^^  he  in- 

They  had  -iti.ert^ld  n:^  ^^^^^^ 
soners  to  nse  the  winte  a.hes  o     hetood  '"'^'^  ''^^  P"" 

a  suhstitnte  for  the  latter  ingred Ln    Cl      '  ^''^^ ''""""^^  ^ 
an  excellent  purpose.     Tiic  mea  In  r  ^^""^  ^^  ^'"^^^'«r 

as  the  rarest  deliL.ey  theylTel  reaC   ^  ^''  ^'"1  ^'^^"^'^^^ 
visions,  it  must  te  mentioned  to  tlT  \     I  '''^'''^  ^«  P^^^ 
that  he  was  carefnl  to  enfre  an  e  f^I    ",''  ''''^P^""  ^^''^"^ 
had  amon.  his  own  warrior    and    h^  n  ^''^^^'^"^^"^  ^^  -"  they 
actly  alike.  ""^  ^^'^  prisoners.     All  lared  ex 

On  his  arrival  at  the  Genessee  river   and  in  n  r  •      ■ 
his  own  departure  with  hi^  nr,'.  /'  "  'Anticipation  of 

forward  a  rllessenj  t    t       no   T  •  "  ■  "t'^"'^'  ^^^^  ^"^ 
preach,  with  the  measure  :;  K^^^^^^^^^ 
prisoners.     But  it  was  not  merelv  for  tt  """''''''  ^^  ^"« 

f'^is  intelligence  that  he   dtp    e'h  d         '^"f^ ''^  ^-^^^^ 
had  another  object  in  view    i  w  i  '^^'''''  ^""^'«^-     He 

conception  and  executioT'orwS  XlLVl"  T^"^''  ^^^ 
testimony  establishing  the  hnm^n  \  ^ '  '*"  ''^*^  ^^ain  of 
disposition.  Four  days  le  of  t  f  Tf  '""'^^«'«»-  of  his 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  fon  a,li  tt  ''"^"^'  ^^^  P'-^^^^  ^o 
delight  in  impressing  npon7h;  nrf.  T'  ""'''  '"^''^  ^p'-^^ 

ferings  they  must  endur^n  ^  fe  T,"  'J'  Tf'^  "^^  *^  ^^ 
to  pass,'on  approachit^g  th    two  MHn  "^  ^^^^^  ^-«"ld  have 

the  fort.     This  ordeal  wa   nXn" tT  '"'"'"^^'"^^  ^»  ^^«»^  ^^ 
•et,  as  it  is  called  in  IndL  w^-a  dr^""^^"^^  ^^'-^""^ 
inevitable  to  every  prisoner  •....one;^^^^^^  to  be 

Thayendanegea  himself  Irlu^  r-  ,f  Inffl        '  ^ "^''"'^  ™"^"^' ^^«n 

The  running  of  the Vnuntl^t  .'"*  P"'""'' ^°  P^^^'^^t- 

sonerstorun  i?,  on  te'";;^:^'^^^ --P^"'"?  their  pri- 

village,  is  a  cre„;ral  cusfom  V      '^''^^^  '^^  ^'^'^'>  <^-'^'^P  or 

general  custom  uu.ong  the  American  aboriginalsl 


o 


,'V'^ 

1 
'Mu 


■-■5, 


*p»4 


62 


LIFE    OF   BUANT. 


[1780. 


n  prclnninary  that  nmst  prerodc  their  n'Mmate  fate,  either  of 
death  or  mercy.     It  is  not  ;>!\Viiy.s  severe,  however,  nor  even 
{generally  so,  unless  in  res;»'«:t  to  prisoners  who  have  excited  the 
particular  miiinosity  of  tlic  Indians  ;  and  it  is  often  rather  a  scene 
of  amnsement  than  punishment.     Much  depends  on  the  courairo 
find  presence  of  mind  (if  iiin  prisoner  undi^rgoiny  the  ordeal. 
On  entering  tlie  village  or  camp,  he  is  shown  n  pninv  '  post  at 
the  distance  of  sonic  thirty  or  forty  yards,  ;ui(l  dn-ected  (o  niu 
to,  and  catch  hold  of  it  as  (piickly  its  possible.     His  path  to  thr- 
post    lies  hetweei'   two  parallel  lines  of  people — men,  women, 
and  children,- -armed  with  h.atchets,  knives,  .sticks,  and  other 
offensive  weapuhs ;  and  as  he  passes  along,  each  is  at  liberty  to 
strike  him  as  severely  and  as  frequently  as  he  can.     Should  he 
be  so  unfo'tiuate  as  to  stumble,  or  fall  in  the  way,  he  may 
stand  a  chance  to  lose  his  lite — especially  if  any  one  in  the 
ranks  happens  to  have  a  personal  wrony  to  avensre.     13ut  the 
moment  he  reaches  t!ie  gonl  he  is  safe,  until  final  judgment  has 
been  pronounced  upon  his  case.     When   a  p  isoiier  displays 
great  firnrmess  and  courage,  starting  upon  the  race  with  force 
and  agility,  ho  will  probably  escape  without  much  injury;  and 
sometimes,    ndien  his   b;  aring  'excites   the     idiniration   of  the 
savages,  entirely  unliarin(;d.     Rut  woe  to  the  (?oward  whose 
cheeks  blanch,  and  whose  nerves  are  untrue  !     The  sliirbtest 
manifestation  of  feur  will  deprive  him  of  mercy,  and  probably 
of  his  life.* 


*  Hpcki!vv(>.I(lpr.  "  In  ihn  inontli  of  '  -,v;i,  173-3.  ■  lipii  I  wn  iv<=df  a  prisoner,  ut 
Lower  SandiHky,  wiitin<;  for  :in  nppon  .  >,>y  to  p,ocpCfi  to  J)riioit,  I  witiK -sod  a 
Bccne  of  thi«  description  which  fidly  cxi'inplifird  what  I  havp  jihovo  stntod.  Thre« 
American  prisoners  were  one  day  lirou'^hf  in  hy  fourteen  warriors  from  the  garrison 
of  Fort  Mclntofh.  A"  soon  as  they  had  ■  '-.  '  the  Sandusky  -iver,  to  which  ii.,) 
village  lay  adjnc -iit,  they  were  told  hy  thoCanfain  oflhe  party  to  nr.  a.s  hard  as  they 
could  ton  paint'd  po»t  which  was  sh'wn  to  thotn.  Theyoun>:csf  of  thrtn,  « ithnuta 
moment's  hnsitation,  immrdiately  startid  for  it,  and  reached  it  fin ■,  r.^ly  without 
receiving  a  single  blow;  the  second  he.Mifated  for  a  mntriMt,  hut  ..collecting  him. 
Fclf,  he  also  ran  as  fast  as  ho  could,  and  likewise  reachn'  post  ii.ihurf.  B,it  the 
tii'rd,  frightened  at  seoing  so  many  men,  women,  and  chi'  wi-     vcapons  in  their 

hands  ready  to  strike  hii7.  I<ept.  hngning  rhc  Captain  to  s  •■  hi*  saying  he  wn.s 
a  mason,  and  would  build  him  a  large  stone  house,  or  do  a'ly  work  lor  him  thnt  he 
should  pler.yv  'Run  for  your  life,'  cried  the  Chief  to  him.  'and  don't  talk  now  of 
building  houses!'  But  thn  poor  fPow  still  insist'.',  be':iin2  and  pravin<:  to  ihe 
Captain  ;  who,  at  last,  finding  lis  exhoit.Ttinns  vain,  and  fi  arin;;  the  conseqiicnrcs 
turned  hi'<  back  upon  him,  and  would  not  hear  him  any  longer.  Our  mason  now 
be;r,an  to  run,  but  received  many  a  hard  blow,  one  of  which  near'v  bronorht  him  tr 


1780.J 


ARRIVAL    AT    NIAGARA. 


63 

Suc!i  WHS  tlie  scene  whi,-],  tt  ,  .  . 

1I.C  clmucc  „f  oscane  fro,',  "'"=°'  "'  """"'"■     ^"'  '"^ 

won,  down  ,,s    Jv  ,^r      'Z'  ""''  '="'^^^""'">  "'^""''''i  ""■i 

were  tantalisin-  them  in  -miL    ,  ?     ^  •^'"''''^''  '^^f'" 

prise  of  the  pn^oncr^  l^^C  T"^^'T'' ""^'^ 

their  piaco  supnhecl  hy  Z^^aoZ^  ""'T^'T^'  ""^ 
v.'ere  only  a  few  Indi-in  hn.c  '"''''^"^  '     ^^^^cro 

of  the  squaws,  who  stn^^^^l^r ''''''''  T'^^''^^  ^"^^ 
an  instrnment  vdiich  called  the  M  ^''fy'  ''^^  ^'^"'^  ^^^^'^^ 

bythefien:estLd  n;!^'S^r:  t  ^Idi:;;'""-''^"^"^^^'^ 
to  he  pa.  ,.i,  On  arriving  at  Ids  io  h  f  ,  ™'''^^'  ''*'^^  ^'' 
•^otner  .    „nent  of  tmnn  '       ^"'^''^"'  '''^'■^'  ^'0"^.  «i"<i 

hin,  Wirt,  hi«™,*^  z-  ;;;ti:;";i  '■'*-  "--^-i 

er  whose  nmrriaae  to  an  officer  of  the  -ZZ^^'''T' 

ordeau.„„,.  „„;lX:;*  r„  ™(:":;,':j„^^ 

«■  )>ri>ye  tnr-    -J  •        ,       ,  n  "It- COWdrd;     wlule  till,  nt  >pr-  u.-cr-  I     •!    J 

-  -ve  mc.,.  „.^  „.ec.ved  tok«,s  of  ..nivers.l  approbation    -/^,„    '        '^  "'"''^'' 


r' 


I*  • 


Q 

r" 

?:? 

m   j 


p.;1 


.  ij'  <?.! 


■|;|l!l 


"I"'f '"■- 


Iffll 


64 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1780. 


Povroll,  mlvisinu  Iiim  of  tlio  fact,  aiul  proposing  nn  artifice,  Iiy 

wliicli  to  Niivt!  Ills  wife's  iiM('l(!,  find  his  ii.ssociafes,  from  the  uc- 

ciislotiicil  ct-rotiioi  y.     For  tins  purpose,  liy  coiiant  willi  linuit, 

Powell  had  iiiaiiai^cil  to  Imv.   the  Indian  warriors  enticed  away 

to  tho  Nino  Mill)  r,anding,  for  a  frolic,  the  means  of  lioldin-- 

which  were  supplied  from  the  public  stores.     Meantime,  for  tho 

jtrotcction  of  the  approaching  ])rispners  from  the  violence  of  the 

straggling  [ndinns  who  remained  behind,  Powell  caused  iho  two 

eiicumpuients  to  l)o  occupied  in  tho  manner  just  described.     Jt 

was  II  generous  act  on  the  part  of  [jrant,  well  conceived  and 

handsoiiKfly  carried  through.     Tho  prisoners  all  hnd  cause  of 

grjiiitiidi! ;  and  ill  the  m"etiiig  with  his  niece  in  the  i^^'irrison^ 

('(iptaiii   Ifarpcr  found  a  source  of  pleasure  altogether  uncx- 

pecled. 

The  prisoners,  neverthr;less,  were  doomed  to  a  long  captivity. 
From  Ni;e,rara  they  w(!rc  trans((>rred  fo  l\r()nlrc{il,  thence  to  a 
pri.son  in  Chamblrc,  and  thence  to  Quebec.  They  wt^re  after- 
ward seirtdown  to  Ifaliliix,  and  only  restored  to  their  country 
nnd  homes  after  the  peace  of  1783.  Their  sulierings,  during 
the  three  inttirvening  years,  were  exce?dina-ly  severe,  piuticu"- 
larly  in  the  firi.son  at  Chamblee,  which  is  rcia-esented  as  havino- 
been  fold  luid  loathsome  to  a  desfree.* 


*  In  tlin  r.irlv  part  oftlii.^  narntivn  nf  rr.rpcr'fl  and  Pnirliin's  rnptivity,  tho  name 
of  B.'craft,  u  'i'ory,  occiirx  us  oiio  of  tlioir  caplors.  Ili.<  cnii.liicr  fowarrMlio  |)ii.s(,„. 
era  was  pnrliciilarly  l)nitnl  throii^ilioiit.  On  one  occasion,  when  he  and  liin  Tory 
associati-n  worn  cniltfinratiiis  tlirir  exploit,  ticcrafl  hoastp.l  of  liavinij  assisted  in 
rnaMttcrinn  tliu  fttmily  of  a  Mr.  Vrooniun,  in  Scholiaric.  The  family,  ll-  raid,  wrre 
all  soon  d('Hpiit(;lic.I,  oxc<i)t  a  hoy  of  fourteen  years  old,  who  ran  from  the  house. 
Uecraft  piirnueil  ami  overlook  him  at  a  fence  u  iiich  he  was  attempting  to  clitrih! 
Ho  thero  dflihenitely  cut  lii>.  throat,  took  his  scalp,  and  huu;:  his  liody'acro-^s  tlie 
fence  1  After  the  pence,  he  had  the  hardihood  to  return  to  Schoharie.  Rut  no  sooner 
wag  it  known,  than  a  party  of  several  indignant  citizens,  amonj  whom  were  tho 
priHontr*  who  heard  him  innko  the  confession  here  siven,  assemhlcd  and  seized 
him.  They  nlripped  him  naked,  hound  him  to  a  tree,  and  ten  of  them,  with  hickory 
whij  a,  gav<!  him  n  tremendous  castitration.  They  plied  the  whips  v.iih  full  vi>;or, 
and  at  intorvalu  panned,  ami  informed  hin,  for  what  pirtieular  mi-deed*  they  were  to 
inflici  tho  next  ten  ncnrpion  lashes,  and  soon.  Havins  punished  him  thus,  they  dis- 
inidsed  hl.;iwilh  a  chnroo  never  fo  show  himself  in  that  countvasain.  He  never  did. 
Another  of  iheHe  Tories,  wlio  witc  guarding  TIarper  and  his  partv  during  the 
same  night  of  their  journey,  made  a  yet  more  horrihle  confession  than  that  of  Be- 
craft.  Hi-  nnmo  was  Birney  Cane.  He  hoastcd  of  having  kilh-d,  upon  Diamond 
Ialan<l,  (I.nlieOeorge,)  one  Major  Hopkins.  A  party  of  pl.asure,  as  h-  fated,  had 
l.«en  vi^ilini!  "i'-  '«'»!"!  ""  a  little  sailing  excursion,  and  having  lingered  i„r,acr  upon 


rm. 


i 


1780.] 


IRRUPTIONS    INTO    ULSTER    COUNTY. 


65 


The  ludmm  were  likowiso  early  l.nsy  in  other  directions 
Scm.0  scattonnjr  settie.nents,  .si,„Mod  betwcci  Wyo.ning  a.ul  tho 
o  ler  estab  .shments,  wore  fallen  upon  by  thein  and  Jnnmber 

Ij^S^waJ  """'  '"""  '"""''  ""'  ^'^"^  ^'^'^^"'^^^ 

J{Mt  the  Dutch  border  settlements  alonj,  the  base  of  the  Kaats- 
berg.s,  or  Oatslc.ll  mountains,  from  Albany  down  to  Orauiro 
county,  were  acrain  so.ere  snfTorer.s  dtirin^  this  period  of  the  re 
voIut,onary  war.     Many  of  the  inhabitants  weri  friendly  to  to 
roya  cause,  and  numbers  of  tlunn  had  joined  the  royal  stLdard 
Some  of  these  served  os  leaders  and  guides  to  the  Indians  in 
part.es  for  pnsoners,  scalps,  and  plunder.     This  petty  mode  of 
war^re  was  reduced  to  such  a  systen,  that  those'S.gaged  in  i 
were  snpphed  with  small  magazines  of  provisions,  concealed  i 
he  earth  and  among  clefts  of  rocks  at  suitable  distances  A.m 
he  western  sides  of  the  Kaatsbergs,  over  to  the  Delaware  and 
hence  down  to  the  point  whence  they  were  wont  to  cross  'wUh 
tin.    pnsoners  and  booty  to  the  Susquehanna,  and  thence  aJn 
by  the  usual  track,  along  the  Chemung  and  Genesee  rivers  to 

^^LJ":  r'"^  1-  ^^'"'^'"^^'  '^^^  '^^  incui^i^'L;: 

cled  n  J'th  '  ^'"""^'''^  ^•^''■'  '''"^^^  '^'''^y  been  chroni 
cled  Bu  there  were  several  irruptions  into  the  Dutcli  settle- 
ments fiirther  north,  along  the  western  borders  of  Ulster  Cou  iv 
m  he  Spnng  of  1780,  some  of  which  were  marked  by  pec  iS 
Matures  of  atrocity,  or  of  wild  adventure.  Among  thelf  w  s  "n 
attack,  hy  a  small  party  of  Indians  and  Tories,  upon  th  L 
lies  of  Tliomas  and  Johannes  Jansen,  wealthy  freeholders  i^ a 

that  beautiful  spot  than  th.y  were  conscious  of,  ns  ni^hl  drew  on  oon.I,.^  A, 

"  with  the  butt  of  my  nun,  on  the  side  of  hi,  hra,l '    h.  f  I.  .  '""■  ^""•'' 

the  morning,  a  p„rty  from  (he  fort  went  and  brought  aw  v  thp  ^      .  " 

"one  thoy  found  aliv,  „Ubo..,h  h.  w.  s^.^'l^Z^^ ^CZ^'  ""' 
'•  and  robbing  at  the  boso.n  o.U«  lifeleaa  ,nother."-«„.  Palcfiii^'s'j^,!:"''''' 


.5 


1 

1 

* 

r 
c:! 

1.        ' 

-J 

•  1 

M;-* 

( ' 

m 

V'f 

'* 

I 


4  >', 


!■' 


o 


4^4  ■ 


mil 


r>6 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[178U. 


^oautiful  but  secluded  portion  of  the  town  of  Shawano-unk. 
C»ne  ot  these  gentlemen  was  a  colonel  of  militia.    Both  had 
e;.^oted  substantia!  stone-houses,  and  were  livin-  in  affluence, 
lljeir  mansions  were  plundered  by  Indians  and   Tories,  who 
were  ic.iown  to  them  ;  several  of  their  neighbors  and  their  ne- 
groes were  made  prisoners;  and  among  those  wlio  were  slain 
under  circumstances  of  painful  interest,  were  a  Miss  Mack  and 
her  father,  residmg  somewhat  remote  in  one  of  the  mountain 
gorges  ;  and  also  a  young  lady  on  a  visit  at  Shawangunk,  from 
he  city  of  New-York.     From  considerations  of  acquainlance- 
^liip  with  the  Jansens,  however,  the  females  of  their  families 
were  not  injured,  although  their  houses  were  plundered  and 
tlieir  barns  laid  in  a^ihes.* 

The  same  savage  party,  or  rather  a  partv  composed  in  part 
of  the  same  band  of  Tories  and  Indians  who  had  committed  the 
outrages  just  related,  fell  upon  a  seitlement  in  the  town  of  Sau^er- 
les  in  May  of  the  same  year-making  prisoners  of  Captain  V 
rtmuxh  Snyder  and  Isaac  Snyder  his  son.     After  plunderino- 
his  house  of  provisions  and  money,  they  marched  the  Captain 
and  his  son  over  the  mountains  to  the  Delaware,  and  thence 
o  iMagara,  by  the  same  route  traversed  by  Thayendanegoa  and 
his  warriors  in  conducting  Harper  and  his  fellow  captives  to 
that  post.     The  adventures  of  these  prisoners  during  their  rou-h 
and  wearisome  journey  were  but  the  counterpart  of  thuse  en- 
dured  a  month  before  by  Captain  Harper  and  his  company  ex- 
cepfing,that  their  captors,  being  acquaintances,  rendered    heir 
^ifferings  less  severe.     Their  supplies  of  food,  though  coarse, 
veie  sufficient.     They  were  pinioned  at  night,  and  tlie  Indian  . 
lay  upon  the  cords  by  wliich  they  were  fastened  to  saplin.rs,    n- 
0  her  fixtures  of  security.     They  met  several  parties  of  Indilms 

stn  fJlI  in'  t''  7''"?  '^''  Susquehanna,  and  on  one  occa- 
sion fell  in  wi  h  a  beautiful  white  woman,  married  to  an  Indian 
By  all  these  diey  were  treated  kindly.     While  traversing  th- 
valley  of  the  Genessee,  their  principal  Indian  conductor,  iK^ecl 
Ruiinip,  pointed  them  to  a  couple  of  mounds  by  tlie  way-side. 

There  he  your  brothers,"  said  he  to  Captain  Snyder,  in  Dutch. 

These  mounds  are  the  graves  of  a  scout  of  thirt;-six  nln. 


1780.] 


CAPTIVITY   OP   CAPTAIN   SNYDER. 


67 

. « 'nS?.:  ?;2;:r::  -^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^-  ^-00,,.^  and 

th-vn  Hlrtr"  n  •''  ''''^™'  ^^"^  P^'^''"^-  -^^«  l-«  fortunate 
than  Harper  and  his  companions  had  been,  since  they  were  Tm 

Cap,,™  Snyder  descriW  for.  Niagara  a.  AaUi™  \ ':™  I"' 
ture  of  con..H™ble  magnitude  and  great  s,ren»,re„e Isil  ^, 
area  of  fro.,,  six  to  eWu  acres      Withm  ,1.  ='"•'="'=""""?  ■"> 

son  before  whom  the  Captain  and  h  s  son  were  brou-htfn 
ammat^on.     Colonel  Butler,  with  his  rangers  Ltum   tb    '' 
pos.e,  or  northern  side  of  the  river.     At  ! ^Z^  ^^ 
lonel,  with  two  of  his  subalterns,  crossed  over  to  a"tem^M  ' 

Captan.  Snyder  described  Guy  Johnson  a.  being  a  short  pursv 
man,  abuat  -jrty  years  nf  n^a  «f  cf^^v,  *  '  ^"^^7 

demeanor-^lror,  J^T       t>^  •'  ?         "  <=o"ntenance  and  haughty 
coTXr^^  '     ■'?'^^  ""*^°^"^'  P«^^^d^'-<^d  locks,  and  a 

ers  were  visited  by  Brant,  of  whl^S  ^  X^^^^-- 

well  spoken,  and  apparently  about  thirty  (forty)  years  of  1 
'  He  yore  moccasms,  elegantly  trimmed  w  th  K    lli? 

and  breech-cloth  of  superfine  blue-short  g^^^S^^^' 

Sliver  epaulets-and  a  small,  laced,  round  h.  By  h  ! 
'">ng  an  elegant  silver-mounted  cutl.-.s,  and  his  hi  nl    o 

blue  cloth,  purt^osely  dropped  in  the  chair  on  whi  h  t  •  to 
"display  h,s  epaulets,  was  gorgeously  decorated  with  a  b"i 

of  red.      He  asked  many  questions,  and  among  others,  from 

*  Tl,c.  Indian  rtCrrod  to  the  company  of  Lieut.  Boyd. 


!  o 


i  f  f-il 


■j;' 


6S 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


Ill 


[1780. 

whence  they  came.  On  being  answered  ^sopus,  he  replied— 
"  'I'hat  is  my  fighting  ground."  In  the  course  of  the  conversa- 
tion, Brant  said  to  the  younger  Snyder—"  You  are  young,  and 
you  I  pity  ;  but  for  that  old  villain  there,"  pointing  at  the  father, 
"  I  hrivo  no  pity."  Captain  Snyder  was  of  course  not  very  fa- 
vorably impressed  toward  the  Mohawk  chief,  and  has  recorded 
his  dislike. 

The  Snyders  found  many  acquaintances  at  the  head-quarters 

of  the  Indians  and  loyalists,  some  of  whom  were  prisoners  like 

themselves,  and  others  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.     From  Niao-a 

ra,  the  two  prisoners  were  transported  by  water,  first  to  Carleton 

Island  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  thence,  at  a  subsequent  period, 

to  Montreal.     At  the  latter  place  tliey  were  employed  at  labor, 

and  regularly  paid  their  wages,  which  enabled  them  to  pitrchase 

various  little  comforts  to  meliorate  tlieir  condition.     Indeed,  they 

were  so  fortunate  as  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  humane  people  at 

every  stage  of  their  captivity,  and  their  lot  was  far  less  severe 

than  that  of  most  of  their  countrymen  in  the  like  situation.     At 

me  end  of  two  y  oars,  having  been  transferred  from  Montreal  to  an 

island  some  distance  higher  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  both  father  and 

.son,  with  several  other  prisoners,  succeeded  in  effecting  their 

escape.* 

The  Mohawk  Valley  proper,  during  the  Winter  of  1780,  had 
enjoyed  a  period  of  comparative  repose— interrupted  only  by  the 
common  alarms  incident  to  an  unprotected  border,  at  all  times  lia- 
ble to  invasion,  and  the  people,  as  a  consequence,  feeling  continu- 
ally more  or-less  insecure.  Still,  there  was  not  a  snigle  demon- 
stration of  the  enemy  in  the  lower  part  of  the  country,  durino- 
the  cold  season,  worthy  of  note.  Among  the  prisoners  taken  by 
the  Tories  who  two  years  before  had  returned  from  Canada  after 
their  families,  and  who  had  most  unaccountably  been  suHorcd 
to  depart  unmolested,  was  a  very  brave  fellow  by  the  name  of 
Solomon  Woodworth.  He  was  entrusted  to  a  party  of  Indians, 
acting  in  concert  with  the  Tories  on  their  arrival  at  the  Sacon- 
daga,  from  whom  he  effected  his  escape  on  the  following  day. 
These  Indians,  it  appears,  mortified  at  his  successful  flight,  had 
resolved  either  upon  his  recapture  or  his  destruction.  Wood- 
worth,  in  the  Winter  or  Spring  of  1780,  was  occupying,  alone, 

♦  Captnin  Siiyd.'r  livc.-l  until  the  year  1827,  niul  his  narrative,  taUcn  from  liis  own 
lips,  was  written  by  Chitlts  H.  De  W;tt,  Iv-q. 


i7R0.] 

a  block-] 

While  tl 

hy  a  sra 

danger,  ] 

guished 

Indians, 

house,  cc 

niglit  wa 

ges  throii 

effect — 01 

severely  ^ 

But  Woo( 

dred  spiri 

and  after : 

having  hi 

pursuers  c 

ing  the  v 

resistance. 

and  their  1 

regiment  c 

an  opporfii 

It  was  a 

dians  mad 

Falls  of  tl 

erected  at  t 

a  Scotch  m 

son,  had  ob 

which  the 

of  the  valle 

bnt  his  mill 

also  to  the 

especially  si 

by  Thayend 

tion  for  thei 

enemy  havi 

flouriiig  mil 

Only  a  Tew  ! 

— Daniel  Pe 

•  Inforniiitiori 
tiie  place  where  I 


fl 


1780.] 


»:     • 


SOLOMON  woonwonxH. 


69 

ana  alter  tollowms:  the  rtr.nil  throo  ^  ,        "'nuutrs, 

„„l  ;    ,,  ™''  '■«"™<!<l  to  Johnsmwn  in  trinmnl,  • 

rr  val  ev      hJ    "m        "S''  "^'"'"  '■"'"  ^"^  '"^^'--  ^^^^^n 
but  las  mills  were  particularly  important  to  the  inl.ahita.u      L' 
also  to  the  .arrisons  of  Forts  Dayton  and  Herk     ef^;;^^^^ 
spemlly  s.nco  the  hurnin,,  of  the  mills  at  the  Gerlt;  Flat 
by  rhayendane,o:ea  tu^o  years  hefore.    Hence  the  present  ex nd 
tion  for  the.r  destruction,  which  was  easily  accomplsLd      t 
enemy  hav  n,.  stolen  upon   the  settlement  nna  '4r     "n?^^,^ ! 
«onnn,  m,li  hei„,  ,,.,i,,.„,d  hy  not  n.ore  than     di^   1'^ 
--1;;^  ;4^^  ---handed,  and  but  oue  man  w«s  ,Z 
uanicl  letrie.     As  the  Ind.ans  entered  the  mill,  the  ck:cu. 

*  Information  fromtlii^  Rev   Totin  I    <{l.o..,  „rx-  ^, 
the  place  where  .1...  1.1,.,....,!  L..'^-  ^'"'^'  "^ '^'"^''«'np"«.  ^^-  Y.,  r,  ..di,,.  „...., 

■   — " '^*vt^*a.  — 


I  o 

I  r 


"J 


1  ( 


4. 


•  I 
^'1  , 


M' 


J '  Hl'i 


• 


W  ki 


ro 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1780. 


h 


M 


,;;.( 


i 


pants  endeavored  to  escape  as  fast  as  they  could — some  leaping 
from  the  windows,  and  others  endeavoring  to  conceal  themsel  vos 
below.  It  was  niglit,  and  two  of  the  number,  Cox  and  Skinner, 
succeeded  in  ensconcing  themselves  in  the  race-way,  beneath 
the  water-wheel — Skinner  having  previously  made  light  hand 
to  hand,  and  been  wounded  by  a  cut  from  a  tomahawk.  Two 
of  their  companions,  Christian  Edick  and  Frederick  Getman, 
leaped  into  the  race-way  above  the  mill,  and  endeavored  to 
conceal  themselves  by  keeping  as  much  under  water  as  possible. 
But  the  application  of  the  torch  to  the  mills  soon  revealed  the 
aquatic  retreat,  and  they  were  taken.  Not  so  with  Cox  and  Skin- 
ner, who  survived  the  storm  of  battle,  and  the  mingled  elements 
of  fire  and  water ;  the  showers  of  coals  and  burning  brands 
bemg  at  once  extinguished  as  they  fell  around  them,  while  the 
water-wheel  served  as  an  effectual  protection  against  the  falling 
timbers.  The  enemy  retired  after  accomplisliing  their  object, 
carrying  away  five  or  six  prisoners.* 

A  few  incidents  of  the  more  distant  border  operations  of  the 
opening  season  will  close  the  present  chapter.  The  Shawanese 
and  their  immediate  allies  continued  to  be  exceedmgly  trouble- 
some along  the  Ohio.  Among  the  single  captives  taken  by  them, 
by  stratagem,  early  in  the  Spring,  was  a  man  named  Alexander 
McConnel,  of  the  Kentucky  settlers.  He  found  his  captors, 
five  in  number,  to  be  pleasant  tempered  and  social,  and  he  suc- 
ceeded in  winning  their  confidence,  by  degrees,  until  they  es- 
sentially relaxed  the  rigors  of  his  confinement  at  night.  His 
determination  was  of  course  to  escape.  At  length  his  fastenings 
were  so  slight,  that  wliiic,  they  were  asleep  he  succeeded  in  the 
entire  extrication  of  his  limbs.  Still  he  dared  not  to  fly, 
lest  escape  from  so  many  pursuers  should  be  impracticable, 
and  his  life,  should  he  be  re-taken,  would  surely  be  re- 
quired in  payment  for  the  rtish  attempt.  To  strike  tliem 
successively  with  one  of  their  own  tomalinwks  would  be 
impossible.  His  next  plan  was  cautiously  to  remove  three 
of  their  loaded  rifles  to  a  place  of  Cf»»r«alment,  which  should, 
nevertheless,  be  convenient  fof  his  own  purpose.  Then  placing 
the  other  two  at  )-est  upon  a  iog,  the  muzzle  of  mm  a'mml  at 
the  head  of  one  Indian,  and  the  otluT  at  the  lieart  <>f  a  second, 
with  both  hands  ne  disciiargnd  the  riiies  Uf^f^l     ,  by  which 


1780.] 

process  i 

others  sp 

*     he  had  c 

ing  anot 

remainii] 

the  other 

horror  w 

he  liked 

pleasure. 

On  th< 

dred  Ind 

pieces  of 

the  forks 

bitants  sec 

man  was  [ 

taken  prij 

marched  c 

for  the  be 

burdens  b 

promptly  r 

at  the  falls 

the  heart 

town  on  tb 

with  the  lo 

•  Adventun 
pxpeaiiion,  as 
(oits,  and  mad 
settlements,"  it 
accompanied  hi 
Congress.  Sei 
Remembrancer, 


Cliv.\*iitt^.-jXiii\\^.  of  t!i^'  ii'itho?  ***i'l»  T'''>'^  Ff'nki  r'-"'!-  *A  ^''jf'ifi***  Flalts 


1780.] 


lERUPTlON    OP   THE   SHAWANESE. 


71 

process  two  of  his  enemies  were  killed  outright.     As  tlm  three 

he  other  wounded.     The  fifth  took  to  his  heeS  w  h  VZunf 

horror  which  made  the  forest  rin,.     SelectinrVrHfl:  ^t    . 
he  likrd  hPQf    fi,-,       u*i     ,  ■=      '^^it.cimg  tne  ritle  which 

pleasure.        '  '      ''  ^""^'^  pursued  his  way  back  at  his 

On  the  23d  of  June,  Colonel  Bird,  at  the  head  of  five  hun 
dred  ludians  and  Canadians,  or  Am'erican  refugee.,  wthsfx 

bitantsseem  to  have  made  lU:;,  if'^^^^riSr^'o^^^^ 
man  was  killed  outright,  and  two  womlL.  Ttr^otS;^^^^^^ 
trheT:n:±  -lement  plundered,  andthetlhi: 
marched  ofl,  bending  beneath  the  weight  of  their  own  nronertv 
for    he  benefit  of  the  spoiler.     Those  who  sank    mder Tir 
burdens  by  the  way,  were  tomahawked      TJiis  o  ur,  Jn 
promptly  and  severely  avenged  by  Colone  Chrl  o  Z/'    . 
at  the  falls  nf  thn  ni  ■        i     •      ^  \  "lonei  L  larkc,  commanding 
t  hear    of  S      '  "      ^-^^iately  led  his  regiment  into 

iiH.  iiearr  ot  the  bhawanese  countrv— l.-ivino-  th^^,.  ^  ■  ■  , 
.own  on  .he  Great  Mi„™  i„  „,,e,  „/d  .lli  %  ;:  .rrX' 
with  the  loss  of  only  seventeen  of  his  own  n.en.'  '^' 

*  Adventures  of  Colonel  Daniel  Bonn      Th^  n  •.•  u 

fbrt.,and  made  a  number  of  prisoners  '- m1  of  ,1  '  "  """''  """" 
3e...e.„ents,"  U  was  added,  «  .^n  -^o  :;tra„^2;L  ,;;  ^  ::;;';lf -•!  "- 
accompan.ed  h.m,  preferring  ,o  se„le  in  ,he  conntr.'s  nndel  e It  L  <t.  r"!'' 
Congress.    Several  of  them  have  onno  t^  n„.    •.  xr  "      ""'^*'  ""^ '''« 

«««.,n6ran«r.Par///.  1780.  pi. 'Tr!       ^^'^'"'' ^'-S-"'  «'---^'*  ^W, 


i= 

m 

• 

1  ;; 

0 
• 

^  ■!;;■■ 

r 

0— 

a  ■ 

r.  J. 

C*i 


I 


:f^ 


i      '' 


;^'     I 


^.    ^i 


; 


ni 


■,^■1  i 


7r" 


it 


CHAPTER  III. 


Ni^ht  invasion  of  Johnstown,  by  Sir  John  Johnaon,  with  nn  army  of  In;liiiii» 
pnd  loyalists— Tiin  Viasclicrs— The  /onto  of  Sir  John— Aricst  of  th-i  Hini 
iiions  tainily— l)«3lruclioii  of  their  i)ro(.irty — March  uhm;^;  tin;  rivrr— Uini.in^ 
o(  huil(hiiss,  anil  tnunh'rs  of  a:c(i  piioplo— D^^striutioji  of  Cuiighnaw;"j;ii-- 
Rctiirn  to'^Tohnson  I  Full— Procwdini^a  thcro— Thomas  Saiiinioni^  cticapi'M— Sir 
John  Miovos  otr— Sampson  Saininoiirt  applies  for  his  liherlj' — liit^  speech- 'I'lm 
ohjort  of  th(!  expeilition— Recovery  of  rho  Baronet's  plat(!— A  faithful^  slavi-— 
Character  of  the  expedition— Sir  John  returns  to  Montreal— Jacob  and  Frederick 
Sanimons'  carried  into  Ciiptivity— Imprisoned  at  Chumhlec— Conspiracy  to  escape 
Prisoners  refuse  to  join  Ihem — The  brothers  escape  alone — TliepnrHiu! — Si  pa- 
ration— Journey,  adventun^s  and  seff^rinus  of  Jacob  Sammona— Arriv.  Hal  Sclie- 
n,,etady— The  narrativi'  returns  to  Frederick— Perils  of  his  escape— I 'rosperoim 
conimei\cement  of  ills  journey— Dreadful  sickness- His  recapture — Conf  ned  in 
irons  at  Cliamblce— Removed  lo  an  Islar..!— Proj.'cia  an  escape— Plot  discovered 

Iioned  again— Second  plan  of  cscapi — Perilous  leap  into  the  St.  I  awrenee — 

Swiinmiiii;lbe  Rapids — Other  suroriai'i2  adventures,  by  Booil  and  (iidd — (^mas- 
ins;  the  \V(mds  toSelienectady--Remarkablel'ullilment  of  a  dream— Direel  luslory 
oflhe  Mohawk  country  resumed — Oesnuction  of  Canajolmrie  by  the  Indians — 
Conduct  of  Braiil — Casu  of  doubtful  courage. 

Although  the  struggle  had  now  heen  maintained  more  than 
five  years,  still  the  people  of  tlie  lower  section  of  the  Mohawk 
Valley,  severely  as  tiiey  liad  experienced  the  calamities  of  the 
war,  had  not  yet  by  any  means  received  the  full  measure  of  their 
suffering.  Harassed  by  perpetual  alarms,  and  oppressively 
frequent  calls  to  the  field— their  numbers  reduced  by  death  and. 
desertion,  atid  by  removals  from  a  country  so  full  of  (roubles— 
their  situation  was  far  from  beittg  enviable.  Though  uncon- 
scious of  immediate  danger  from  a  formidable  invasion,  th<y 
were  nevertheless  in  more  peril  dian  at  any  former  period,  from 
their  diminished  ability  of  self-protection.  Hitherto,  with  thti 
exce|)tioii  of  small  fr.rays  upon  the  outskirts,  the  lower  valley, 
containing  by  far  the  largest  amoiuit  of  population,  had  imt 
been  tra>'('rsetl  by  an  invading  enemy.  But  it  wns  their  lot,  in 
the  course  of  the  present  season,  repeatedly  to  experience  the 
tender  msicies  of  an  exasperated  enemy,  .irmed  with  knife,  tnid 
tomahawk  and  brand,  and  to  see  their  fairest  vilhiges  laid  waste, 
their  fields  desolated,  and  their  dwellings  reduced  to  ashes. 

The  first  blow  was  as  sudden  as  it  was  unexpected — especial- 
ly from  the  quarter  whence  it  came.  On  Sunday  the  twenty-first 
of  May,  nr.  dead  of  night.  Sir  .Tolm  Johnson  entered  the  north 
Dart  of  .Tohnstown  at  the  head  of  five  hundred  men,  composed 


17B0.] 


INVASION   CF   JOHNSTOWN. 


73 

of  some  British  troops,  a  detachment  of  his  own  re^im.nt  of 

to  Cr^t^^inTTr."'''  country  by  wayof  Luke  Cham  >  ^ 
to  Crown  Point,  and  thence  through  the  woods  to  the  Saconda 
ga  nver;  and  so  entirely  unawares  had  he  stolen  uZtt 
eepmg  mhabitants,  that  he  arrived  in  the  heart  of  the  Sun trv 
undiscovered,  except  by  the  resident  loyalists,  who  were  proba 
blym  the  secret.  Before  he  reached  the  old  BarorriS  at' 
Johnstown-the  home  of  his  youth,  and  for  theTover^  of 

put  forth-Sir  John  divided  hia  forces  into  two  deUichmenm 
leading  one  m  person,  in  the  first  instance,  directly  ^  he  S 

was  sent  through  a  more  eastern  settlement,  to  strike  the  Mo 
hawk  river  at  or  below  Tripe's  Hill,  from  whence  it  vva   direct" 

Caughnawaga,*  to  the    Cayadutta  Creek- at  which  p We  a 
junction  was  to  be  formed  with  Sir  John  himself     This  dtosi 
.on  of  his  forces  was  made  at  the  still  hour  of  mil  ghtat  a 
t.me  when  the  inhabitants  were  not  only  buried  n  sSer  bu^ 
wholly  unsuspicious  of  approaching  danger.    Wha  0^.!^ 
mcommand  of  the  eastern  division  fsnotfn  wn  bu    fwi;^ 
of  the  most  stealthy  and  murderous  expeditions-m  rW  in 
sch,raceer,though  butfewwere  killed-and the Zlt Zlce 
ful,  too,  that  marked  the  progress  of  the  war  in  that  rein  ^iT 
mgthe  night-march  of  this  division   and  before  r?^        T 
river,  they  attacked  the  dwe.ling-hlTtf  M^ld^^^^^^ 
nam,   who    together   with  his  son,  was  killed  and  scalM 
fhe  next  house  assailed  was  that  ol  a  Mr  StPvPn«      .^^^f^^*^' 
burnt,  and  its  owner  killed.    Arrivi  1  Af  FrfrLTS  il  t     "" 
d^red  three  men,  by  the  names  of  Hansen X^d  ^mTu^ 
Hansen,  who  was  a  captain  of  militia,  wr^  Wiled  by  an  1  dfl" 
to  whom  he  h«d  Ruinerly  shown  gre^t  kindness,  and  who  hS 
n  return  expressed  much  gratitude.     The  hous;^  af  Zl    kt 
behaved,  were  plundo.^i  before  the  application  of  the  'toll 
Proceeding  toward  Paughnawaga,  about  day-light  they  ar  ivei 
at  the  house  of  Colonel  Visscher^ccupied  L  the  tImeVy "^ 

ln:.^,::ho";;f:i'Lriy  H^XTvSr^      ••-  C«u5h„«wa,a  c.„n  of  ,he  Mohawk 
81.  Lawrence  above  xi^    ZZIZX  '^'"'•''"' ""''  '"''^^^'^^'^'i  ih^mseUes  1  S 

VOL.   II.  (j 


0 

r 
;;) 

J" 


^■m 


o 

i 


:•(     , 


'.^•'' 


t. 


74 


LIFE   OV  BIIANT. 


riTRO. 


self,  his  mother,  and  his  two  brothers.  It  was  immediately 
assaulted.  Alarmed  ut  the  HOiuids  without,  the  Colonel  instant- 
ly surmised  the  cause,  and  being  armed,  determined,  with 
liis  brothers,  to  defend  the  house  to  the  last.  They  fought 
bravely  for  a  time,  but  the  (xlds  were  so  fearfully  against  them, 
that  the  house  was  soon  carried  by  storm.  The  three  brothers 
were  instantly  stricken  down  and  scalped,  and  the  to.  h  applied 
to  the  house.  Having  thus  completed  their  work,  the  enemy 
proceeded  on  their  way  up  the  river.  Fortunately,  liowever,  the 
Colonel  himself  was  only  wounded.  On  recovering  from  the 
shock  of  the  hatchet,  he  saw  the  house  enveloped  in  flames  above 
and  around  him,  and  his  two  brothers  dead  by  his  side.  But, 
grievously  wounded  as  he  was,  ho  succeeded  in  removing  their 
mangled  bodies  from  the  house  liefore  the  burning  timbers  fell 
m.  His  own  wounds  wore  dnjssed,  and  he  lived  many  years 
afterward.  Mrs.  Visscher,  the  venerable  mother  of  the  Colonel, 
was  likewise  severely  wounded  by  being  knocked  on  the  head 
by  an  Indian ;  but  she  also  survived.  The  slaughter  along  the 
Mohawk,  to  the  village  of  Caughnawaga,  would  have  been  great- 
er, but  for  the  alertness  of  Major  Van  Vrank,  who  contrived  to 
elude  the  enemy,  and  by  running  ahead,  gave  the  alarm,  and 
enabled  many  people  to  fly  as  it  were  in  puris  naturalibus  across 
the  river.* 

♦  The  Visachers  were  important  men  smong  the  Whigs  of  Tryon  county.-  - 
There  were  four  brother*  of  them  at  the  coBumencement  of  the  war,  viz.  Frederick, 
(the  Colonel,)  John,  William  Brower,  and  Harmtniw.  William  B.  died  oi"  scarlet 
fever  in  the  Winter  of  1776.  A  very  bitter  hostilitv  existed  ag%in8t  this  family 
among  the  loyalists,  having  its  origin  in  an  unpleasant  attercation  l>etween  Colonel 
Visscher  and  Sir  John  Johnson,  in  the  Autunfin  of  1775.  The  circumstances  of  this 
affair,  as  recently  communicated  to  the  author  by  t*^e  venerable  Judge  De  Graff,  of 
Schenectady,  «  near  connection  <»f  the  (kmily,  were  substantially  Ihesp  : — In  tho 
year  1775,  the  Colonial  CongrcM,  having  full  confidence  both  in  his  principles  and 
discretion,  appointed  Frederick  Visschfr  a  Colonel  in  the  militia,  furnishing  him  at 
the  same  time  cwnmiaaioni  in  t>iaak  to  complete  the  organization  of  his  regi- 
ment. One  of  the  cooMniHions  of  captain  thus  confided  to  his  disposal,  he  conferred 
on  his  brother  John.  In  the  .Autumn  of  that  year  the  Colonel  directed  his  regiment 
to  parade  for  review  on  an  elevatfld  plam  n«ar  the  ancient  inn  of  Peggy  Wymples, 
in  Caughnawaga.  It  happ.'ncd  that  while  the  regimmt  was  on  parade,  !^  John 
JohttM^  with  his  lady,  drove  alonj(  tho  river  road.  On  descrying  the  regiment  under 
arrnis  he  ordered  hi*  coachman  to  dnve  up  «*ie  hill  to  the  narade  eroimd.  He  then 
demanded  of  the  lir^t  peraon  to  whom  Iw  Had  an  oppi»rtunity  to  speak,  who  had 
called  the  assembiuge  'lOgether,  bnd  (at  whKt  purpfme  7  The  rrfiy  was,  that  Colo- 
nel ymudkat  had  ordered  bis  tegtuuiM  to  ;>arade  lot  ^tview.    The  Baronet  tbvreupon 


<! 


1780.J 


THE   SAMMONS   FAMILY. 


75 

was  a  small  stockade,  orXZtnttTr^'T  '^'^"^ 
favor  of  darkness  anj  sleepLfsfnll  ^'"^-^^^'^hich,  under 
unobserved.      DirectinThL^  I'  T  ^"^'^  ^''^^^'^  ^"^ 

Cayaduttawith  ;:  iL'wc  Xlh^^^  ""  T'"^"^^  ^^  ^'- 
of  Sampson  Sammons    who  "  '"'"''"^  ^'  '^''^  '^'^^^''^^ 

sons,  hL  app  rd  -n'th^r^  "^'"'^'  ^^^^  *hose  of  two  of  bis 

There  was  a  tS  so"  tL  ^"'T  "^  ''''  P^^«^«*  ^«^k. 

inherited  the    tanch  TO.        '  '  r'\'^  "^'^^'^^"-     ^^^^^  ^^^ 

-hole  fu^ilyhtd    enl^TdTtlfffi'^^'^^^^^^^  ^^^ 

course  of  the  war*  ^^'"'''''^  '^^^^^e  i"  the 

mIte':?S^rt'i;'^^^^^^^^  "^^^  ^^^^  ^-^-^  «^  M.  Sam. 
what  in  detl  Mr  XZ  T''"'  '^'  ^^^^'"^  ^^em  some . 
Sir  John,  heLenJo7'ZV'  ff'''  ""  "^"  ^^^^^  ^^ 
hadexist;d;  anTinte  eX  '^"f  r^  '"^"''^  ^^'^^-«« 
exertedhimsdf  with  oLSrS  Ic    ""'  ''^  'T"  ^^ 

net  from  the  violence  of  !he  people     Z       I  ^'"''''^^'  ^''''• 

me  people.    Soon  after  passing  Johns 

rected  „.e.  to  k.ep  their  ranks- J  el  !^^^^^^^^^^^  "^  '^'^P-"'  "nt  the  Co.onrf  di 
sword-cane,  raised  hi,  weapon  to  infli     '  bLw  T"''  '"'"'  ^"'  ''™«'''  ^'^h. 

.he  cane,  and  in  the  «cuffle'he  swordlV^^^rTV  ?  '  '"' ""  '"""  ^""P^ 
S.r  John  threatened  to  run  him  thronah  tie  b„7v  JT^''  '''"''"'"»  '^'  '"'^^^' 
to  make  the  attempt  he  mioht  act  hi   nIp  ^^"".^  "'eColoneJ  told  him  if  ftecho., 

ofhi.s  blade,  which  was  rertoed  o  i  m  ^'""■-  """  *'''''''"'"  ""^  ^'^""^"^ 

Johnson  to  rise  th.t  he  might  ok  Z  SZIT  "'  l"  '?  ""'''"^'  "^  -^'-^-'^^  ^ady 
«tratedw.thhim.buttonopurro8e  ^J'l  T-'^'^"''-    ««"• 'adyship  remon- 

demanded  that  the  re,imr:atdS:'^^^^^^^^ 

declared  ,n  a  ten.pest  of  passion  that  he  w  urd  W  the  CoTonTt:  "'t  '[  "°''  ''•' 
pleasure,"  was  again  the  reply  „f  Visscher  A,V  ^"'"^^-  "  ^'^  y°»' 
th«  domesticserviceoftheCoLel  Tho  wa,  i„  .h  T'"'"'' "  ^"""= '"^''"'»'-  '" 
if  ye  ofTer  to  lift  hand  or  fin  Zl^ll    r  '  "'"''"'  "^'''i'ned-''  By  J « 

Baronet  now  s..wthat:„ti:E;::iLTstL'r  How  you  th^u^"  Th^J 
he  r^nrned  to  his  c..ia,e,  /n,  drove  ZyT^ZtZr^'  '"""""•  "'^'^"''»" 

•  &amp»on  Sammons  was  of  Po  '' 

whence  he  had  emigrated  to  TrvoncZtv^'T'""'' "  "''"^'"''' Ulster  County, 

fir-t«tagesofthewarhewae  a^mb^o^^l^'""^  f"  ^^^ 

corps  of  Exempts  was  organised  uTdTc/     t  ^"■"^T'"'"'  "''  S^re,.     J     ^  ,77,  . 

"  Captain.    Of  this  ccnp."   .W,on  tm  '^""''^ '  ^""''''  '^'--^^ "ti^g 

thecoros  was  reorganised  and  e  Zed     On  ,1"""  ""  "•"  '""''""''"       '"  '"^ 
^  entered  as  an  E„aig„.  ■= "^    °"  "'"  ">uster-roll  of  thjs  year,  tam,np^« 


ii 


I 

■  s*  .'  I 


'II 


4  HI 


I-    -.'I 


r  . 


t 


76 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1780, 


'M'^ 


town,  Sir  John  detached  those  of  the  Indians  yet  remaining  with 
him  in  other  directions,  being  desirous  of  making  captives  of 
Sammons  and  his  sons,  but  wishing,  at  the  same  tim(3,  to  do  them 
no  personal  injury.     On  arriving  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
house,  Sir  John  halted  his  division,  and  directed  a  small  detach- 
ment to  move  with  the  utmost  stillness  and  caution,  and  full 
upon  the  house  by  sur]irise-<)bserving  that  Sammons  had  some 
stout  sons,  well  armed,  and  unless  they  were  very  careful,  there 
would  be  trouble.     The  eldest  of  Mr.  Sammons's  sons  was  then 
the  lessee  of  ilie  Johnson  farm  at  the  hall,  which  had  been  sold 
by  the  Committee  of  Sequestrations,  and  which  he  was  then  cul- 
tivatmg ;    and  Thomas,  the  youngest,  had  risen  at  an  uu- 
wonted  hour,  in  order  to  feed  his  horses,  and  go  over  to  the 
hall  to  work  with  his  brother.    On  coming  down  stairs,  how- 
ever,  and  stepping  out  of  doors  half-dressed,  to  take  an  observa- 
tion of  the  weather-  -.'  !  -ng  yet  dark,  though  day  was  just 
breaking-the  thm^U  o  ,  irred  to  him,  that  should  any  strag- 
gling Indians  be  prowinij  about,  he  would  stand  but  a  poor 
chance  if  fallen  upo.;  .ione.    While  standing  thus  in  doubt 
whether  to  proceed  or  wait  for  more  light,  he  was  startled  by 
a  noise  of  heavy  steps  behind,  and,  as  he  turned,  by  the  glitter 
of  steel  passing  before  his  eyes.    At  the  same  instant  a  hand 
was  laid  upou  his  shoulder,  with  the  words—"  You  are  my 
prisoner !"    In  such  perfect  stillness  had  the  enemy  approached, 
that  not  the  sound  of  a  footstep  was  heard,  until  the  moment 
when  the  younger  Sammons  was  thus  arrested,  and  the  house 
immediately  surrounded.     One  of  the  officers,  with  several  sol- 
diers, instantly  entered  the  house,  and  ordered  the  family  to  get 
up,  and  surrender  themselves  as  prisoners.   Jacob  and  Frederick, 
who  were  in  bed  in  the  second  story,  sprang  upon  their  feet 
immediately,  and  seized  their  arms.     The  officer,  who  was  a 
Tory  named  Sutherland,  and  acquainted  with  the  family,  hear- 
ing the  clatter  of  arms,  called  to  them  by  name,  and  promised 
quarter  on  condition  of  their  surrender.    Jacob  inquired  whether 
there  were  Indians  with  them ;  adding,  that  if  there  were,  he 
and  his  brother  would  not  be  taken  alive.    On  being  assured  to 
the  contrary,  the  brothers  descended  the  stairs  and  surrendered. 
The  old  gentleman  was  also  taken.    While  the  soldiers  were 
busied  in  plundering  the  premises,  the  morning  advanced,  and 
Sir  Jolm  Jol-i-ison  came  up  with  the  remamder  of  the  division. 


1780,J 


DESTRUCTION   OP   CAUOHNAWAQA. 


Thomas  here  remark^  Tl      f/         ■""•""   '""•"'iotely. 
over  him,  ,ha.  he^^„„'^„t;,T' r"  !,"°  ^'''  ^"^  "■""'«' 

requesting  liberlv  to  roonir  ,„  hi,      ,  °'  y*'  f         - 

•hat  he  <<.^^t^^^^^^''"ZT  ''J""  T"»-- persisted 
•ha  door,  whoa  the  trbaZn  JT^  "f  ""^  ""''f'"«  "»>"'«1 
his  bayoi-e,  which  h^oj  ft^.!  butT  ";„■"'  ""*  *"" 
and  the  heroism  of  a  ,k.„7  T  J  .  *"  "■"  1"''^'^  eyes 
thrnst  at  hor  Ztll  ,'?       "    /  ^^'  '''"''  '^  *•=  ^"^  'he 

ground.    Tho  Boldier  ^ZCu.  r        ^^'' ''"'«'"  "  '°  "■« 
compHsh  his  purm^    Kf  "•  *'""«''«''  •>«  """^  «"<i  -c- 

ronv.<  and  ^dem^^ed  ":h:r  rrtr  t:Tr 
^rrs::di-r.r:z^i-£^'«^^^ 

would  you  murder  the  boy  ?»    Immedi-.to  i?      ■ '^*'' 

given  him  to  nrocnrp  wh.f        '^mediate  permission  was  then 
6  u  lu  procure  whatever  artic  es  he  wantpfl      tk-> 

of  plunder  having  l^en  completed,  Sir  Jo^lh  htV"""^ 
and  prisoners.  Drorpwl^i  ««.      j  •     i  '     ""  "'^  droops 

abcut'three  milesXfanl  "  '"  *'=  ■"'"""»  "'  "«=  "™1 

negro,  whoi:^:  j';ptrr.tr.h'f "  '^^•'^  '^^ 
hir^fth*^  "■'"^^'^''■'  -~»^S  T^rir^ 

^i^reoriretasTrr^^^^^^^^^^^ 

a.  whioh  place  *"  m    Th 'X  aittioHf  1^.""^'"^^^ 

sra^;rirxr"\"~'^^^^^^ 

army  now  «  theirTL  ^    ?     ^"^ectability.    The  whole 
Valley  severSm-f     t milT      '  k'^.T '"^  ""=  *'°"™k 

c..gh..awag,ri::LXXdie.t^^^^^^^^^^ 

■ng  fc  church ,  a  nnmber  of  prisoners  were  made,  and  s^H 


M 


Si 


o 


«  I 

K.J 


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i' 

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N*ii 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  {MT-3) 


/y 


Ay 


i/i 


1.0 


I.I 


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^ii£  IIM 

■-   la    IIIII2  2 
!!:    1^    III  2.0 


14    11 1.6 


riiutugidpiuC 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


S        .^fcf 


w 


n 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1780. 


n 


t 


f«rsons  killed  Nine  aged  men  wcro  slnin  in  the  course  of  this 
march,  of  whom  four  were  upward  of  eighty.  From  Caugh- 
nawoga.  Sir  John  retraced  his  steps  to  Johnstown,  passing  the 
premises  of  Mr.  Sammons,  where  tho  work  of  destruction  was 
completed  by  applying  the  brand  to  all  the  buildings,  leaving 
the  females  of  the  family  houseless,  nnd  taking  away  the  seven 
horses  which  were  in  the  stables. 

On  the  arrival  of  Sir  Julm  back  to  tho  homestead  in  the  af 
ternoon,  he  halted  upon  the  adjacent  grounds  for  several  hours 
— establishing  his  own  quarters  in  tlio  hnll  of  his  father.  The 
prisoners  were  collected  into  an  open  field,  strongly  guarded, 
but  not  in  a  confined  space  ;  nnd  while  reposing  thus,  the  Tory 
families  of  the  town  came  in  largo  numbers  to  see  their  friends 
and  relatives,  who  for  the  most  part  constituted  the  white  troops 
of  the  invading  army.  Thomas  Saminons,  during  the  whole 
morning,  had  affected  to  be  exceedingly  lame  of  one  foot ;  and 
while  loitering  about  the  Hall  he  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
widowed  lady  of  Captain  Hare,  one  of  the  British  officers  who 
had  fallen  in  the  battle  of  Oriskony.  Mrs.  Hare,  since  the  death 
of  her  husband,  had  occupied  ev  apartment  of  the  Hall ;  and 
she  now  exerted  herself  successfully  ^V•ith  Sir  John  for  the 
release  of  several  of  her  personal  friends  among  the  captives ; 
and  on  going  into  the  field  to  select  them,  she  adroitly 
smuggled  young  Sammons  into  the  group,  and  led  him  away 
m  safety. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  that  tiioro  was  a  small  guard 
occupying  the  little  fort  in  the  village',  which  had  been  avoided 
by  Sir  John  in  his  morning  march.  Toward  night  the  militia 
of  the  surrounding  country  were  observed  to  be  clustering  in 
the  village,  and  Sir  John  thought  it  advisable  to  resume  his 
march.  He  had  collected  a  number  of  prisoners,  and  much 
booty,  besides  recruiting  his  ranks  by  a  considerable  number  of 
loyalists,  and  obtaining  possession  of  some  eighteen  or  twenty  of 
his  negro  slaves,  left  behind  at  the  time  of  his  flight  in  the  Spring 
of  1776.  While  they  were  halting,  on  tho  next  day,  the  elder 
Sammons  applied  to  Sir  John  for  Jin  interview,  which  was 
granted  in  presence  of  his  principal  officers.  On  inquiriUj^ 
what  he  wanted,  Mr.  Sammons  replied  that  he  wished  to  ba 
released.  The  Baronet  hesitated ;  but  the  old  man  pressed  hip 
suit,  aiid  rctniridcd  Sir  John  of  {rrr-   .  occnes,  and  of  the  efforts 


makins 


I* 


^^80.]  ««^EASE   OP   SAMPSON  SAMM0N8.  yg 

''i^triTet^^^^^^^^^^^  "Sea 

'have  iken  myself  and  n^f^^  s^-^id  the  veteran  Whig :  «Yoa 
«lo  a.hes,T„Sthe  hel7  """  ^T"^'  ^""^*  "^7  dwell  J 
"covering  l^^l^tJ^'ZT::^''  ''  "^  '^"^^^^  -^^  - 
"around ''tliem.    Did 'rt.^t  '  ,?     '.r^^*  ^ 
'•  were  in  the  power  of  Z  rZJr        ^'"  ""^"^^  ^^««  y«" 
"remember  XenlitlluU^rh'^n^^^^^  ^^^^ 

"you  agreed  to  surrenry"' ^ S""'^  ^^'"^^^^'  ^"^ 
"  that  you  then  agreed  to  re^Tn  T.  ,  .  ^^"  "°*  remember 
"dition  Ge„era^S;ul  Z  "'"*^^^',f  ^  ^^at  upon  that  con- 
"Those  conditionr!^^r"rj"Y   '^  your  parole? 

"enrolled  yourself  in  theTettt  of  'h'e  T  "^  ''  ''''^"^'^' 
"ment  of  the  disaffected,  XTba/donL^h^  raised  a  regi- 
"you;  and  you  have  nmrXnil"         "''  country  with 

"US,  by  burning  our  dw^Uirgra^r^IS^.To  ""^^^^* 
"I  was  your  friend  in  fh.  f^         ™°"'"^  "^  of  our  property. 

"myself I  sayl^Tr^^^^^rT"  ''  '^'^^^'  ^"^  ^^^ 
"quited?    Yom^Z^T  T"^'    ^d  how  am  I  re- 

"Fondaatthe  a^of  ethtvTr"^^^^^  ^^^'P«^  «^<*  ^r. 
"yourfathersay,L;ikltjir^^^  ^  T  ^'^  '  ^^^  ^-r*^ 
"town  and  K^gsto  ^1     y ^ ^^^ 

"in  such  a  we^JTZ^tu  n  ''"''"*  '"'^^^  ^^^  J^K 
«moreF'  ^  ^^  ^'"  ^'"  ^«^«^  «nJoy  your  propertjJ 

The  Baronet  made  no  reolv  •  h»t  th^ 
and  the  old  gentleman  was    e  'at  ^Lrtv  'T^r  '^"^"^'' 
the  restoration  of  a  nair  of  hi.      ^   ^;  ,       *^^"  requested 
should  also  be  done  SLit  ^''  ^°^"  '^P"^'^  '^'^'  *Ws 

the  India.,s,  from  iLn  he  ^^  "'V'^  ^'^^  P''^^«««i<^»  of 

making  the  nqniTyTspTn  of  h^h  not  safely  take  them.  On 
to  him?    A  Tor^  offi  '  r  n       I  ^'""'  '^"'"  ^*^"»^  ^^  restored 

Sammons  tolTn  ptsei'olo^"^^^^^^^^^  ""  ^^^"  ^^  M- 
not  relinquish  it  pfetendrthat  b'  "'  ^^^^«^  but  he  would 
the  animal  by  an  LS  *    Th  A     """"  T'^^  '"^"^*^^  ^^^^^ 


o 


^' 


i- 


:S«'- 


'   ,^' 


J 


'¥ 


■"« 


m 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1780. 


were  permitted  to  return,  one  of  whom,  Captain  Abraham 
Veeder,  was  exchanged  for  Lieutenant  Singleton,  who  had  been 
taken  at  Fort  Schuyler  by  Colonel  Willetl,  and  was  then  in 
Ceinada  on  his  parole.* 

The  immediate  object  of  this  irruption  by  Sir  John  Johnson, 
was  to  procure  his  plate,  which  had  been  buried  at  the  time  of 
his  flight  in  1776,  and  not  recovered  with  the  iron  chest.  This 
treasure  was  not  indeed  buried  with  the  chest,  but  in  the  cellar, 
and  the  place  of  deposite  was  confided  to  a  faithful  slave.  While 
Sir  John  was  in  the  hall,  in  the  afternoon,  the  slave,  assisted  by 
four  soldiers,  disinterred  the  silver,  which  filled  two  barrels, 
brought  it  to  the  Baronet,  and  laid  it  down  at  his  feet.t  It  was 
then  distributed  among  about  forty  soldiers,  who  placed  it  in 
their  knapsacks  —a  quarter-master  taking  an  account  of  the 
names  of  the  soldiers,  and  the  articles  confided  to  each — by  whom 
:t  was  to  be  carried  to  Montreal.  The  irruption,  however,  was 
one  of  the  most  indefensible  aggressions  upon  an  unarmed  and 
slumbering  people,  which  stain  the  annals  of  the  British  arms. 
As  the  commanding  officer,  Sir  John  is  himself  to  be  held  re- 
sponsible in  a  general  sense.  How  far  he  was  directly  and 
specially  responsible  for  the  midnight  murders  committed  by 
lis  barbarians,  is  a  question  which  may,  perhaps,  bear  a  somewhat 
different  shade.  Still,  from  the  success  which  attended  the  ex- 
pedition, and  the  unaccountable  inaction  of  the  people  against 
hiri,  it  is  sufficiently  obvious  that  he  might  have  recovered  his 
plate  without  lighting  up  his  path  by  the  conflagration  of  his 
neiorhbors'  houses,  or  without  staining  his  skirts  with  innocent 
blood.t 


But  the  most  remarkable  circumstances  attending  this 


•  The  present  narrative  of  this  irruption  has  been  prepared  almost  entirely  Trom 
the  manuscripts  ofand  conversations  with  Major  ThoraasSammons,  the  lad  who  was 
taken  prisoner — after  a  diligent  comparison  of  his  statement  with  other  authorities. 
The  author  has  also  the  written  narratives  of  Jacob  an  1  Frederick  Sammons  before 
him,  together  with  an  account  written  by  the  Rev.  Jt)hn  I.  Shew.  Major  Thomas 
Sammons  is  yet,  (February,  1839,)  well  and  hearty.  He  his  formeriy,  for  several 
years,  represented  Montgomery  (late  Tryon  county)  in  Congress. 

t  This  faithful  domestic  had  lived  long  with  Sir  William  Johnson,  who  was  so 
much  attached  to  him,  that  he  caused  him  to  bo  baptized  by  his  ow^n  name,  William. 
When  the  estate  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  Sammons  by  the  Committee,  William 
was  sold,  and  Sammons  was  the  purchaser.  He  lived  with  him  until  retaken  by 
Sir  John,  but  never  gave  the  least  hint  either  as  to  the  burial  of  the  iron  chest,  ortha 
plate,  although  both  had  been  hidden  in  the  earth  by  him. 

J  It  is  quite  probable  that  Sir  John's  private  papers,  or  cortcspendesee,  tf  th^ 


1780.] 


RETREAT   OP  SIR  JOHN  JOHNSON. 


81 

expedition  are,  that  the  inhabitants  were  so  completely  taken 
by  surprise,  and  that  Sir  John  was  so  entirely  uLppos  J^  „ 

ml^tT"  r  '''  "^^'"^^"^  ^^^  ^^^  22d,  and^ltogefher  J 
molested  on  his  retreat.    The  inhabitants,  who  had  so  oZ 
proved  themselves  brave,  appear  to  have  'been  notol  sur 
prised    bat  panic-stricken.     True,  as  has  already  Ten  iTc . 
demally  stated,  before  Sir  John  commenced  his  ritum  maTch 

^rb^tonddnnbT  ^^'"''k'"^  ^^  "^^'^"^^  John  Harper,  who 
lonel  Volkert  Veeder.  But  they  were  not  strong  enough  to  en- 
gage the  enemy ;  and  when  Thomas  Sammons  arrived  amon" 
hem  after  h,s  release,  this  opinion  was  confirmed  by  h^  rTporl 
hat  the  forces  of  Sir  John  exceeded  seven  hundred  m^n  X 
bnels  Ha^r  and  Veeder  thereupon  marched  bl  toThe  rivt 
and  the  mvaders  retired  unmolested,'  save  by  Captain  Pu  nam 

cour^:"to  trd-T'"  'T^  "P°"  ^^^^^  --'  -d  oCved  S 
course  to  the  distance  of  twenty-five  mile- 
Governor  Clinton  was  at  Kingston  at  the  time  of  the  inva- 

hell.   Tr'"^/°  '^^'^"^''"  ^^^  first rumorof  the  intelhw' 
he  collected  such  militia  and  other  forces  as  he  could  obtdn 
and  moved  to  Lake  George  with  a  view  to  intero^p"sir  j^^' 
It  was  supposed  that  the  course  of  the  enemy  m^^K  bM-e* 
m  the  direction  of  Oswegatchie,  and  for  the  purfSS^  7s^inl 
him  upon  such  a  march,  Colonel  Van  Schaick  w^^  1^^' rf 
dred  men,  followed  him  by  the  way  of  Johnslo^^'   ^  eenl" 
mgLake  George  to  Ticonderoga,  the  Governor  was  jS  by 
a  body  of  mihtia  from  the  New  Hampshii^  grants     But  all 
ITlr  Tn'  ''^  '"""^^^  escaped-Ling  tf  S  ba^teaux 
Ktesllhn'rT^ "*'"'^"^^  *^^^  P--^^«l  ^-n  the 

The  prisoners  at  this  fortress  numbered  about  forty.    On  the 
day  after  their  arrival  Jacob  Sammons,  having  tak^  an  L„ 
rate  survey  of  the  garrison  and  the\cilitiiot:L;:,^2* 

They  :,e believ:, Li:; iT.nZ'r^Zl'^BJZ^ f ''''''' "2 ""''''  "-"-• 
half  a  doxer,  year,  .ince.  '  ^'^"*"  '''^'~"'  '^  M""*"-'.  «""• 

*  MS  of  Major  Thomaa  Sammona. 


II 

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ceived  the  project  of  inducing  his  fellow-prisoners  to  rise  upon 
the  guards  and  obtain  their  freedom.    The  garrison  was  weak 
in  number,  and  the  sentinels  less  vigilant  than  is  usual  among 
good  soldiers.     The  prison  doors  were  opened  once  a  day,  when 
the  prisoners  were  visited  by  the  proper  officer,  with  four  or  five 
soldiers.    Sammons  had  observed  where  the  arms  of  the  guards 
were  stacked  in  the  yard,  and  his  plan  was,  that  some  of  the 
prisoners  should  arrest  and  disarm   the  visiting  guard  on  tlip 
evening  of  their  door,  while  the  residue  were  to  rush  forth, 
seize  the  arms,  and  fight  their  way  out.     The  proposition 
was  acceded  to  by  his  brother  Frederick,  and  one  other  man 
named  Van  Sluyck,  but  was  considered  too  daring  by  the  great 
body  of  the  prisoners  to  be  undertaken.     It  was  therefore  aban- 
doned, and  the  brothers  sought  afterward  only  for  a  chance  of 
escaping  by  themselves.    Within  three  days  the  desired  op- 
portunity occurred,  viz.  on  the  13th  of  June.     The  prisoners 
were  supplied  with  an  allowance  of  spruce  beer,  for  which  two 
of  their  number  were  detached  daily,  to  bring  the  cask  from 
the  brew-house,  under  a  guard  of  five  men,  with  fixed  bayonets. 
Having  reason  to  suppose  that  the  arms  of  the  guards,  though 
charged,  were  not  primed,  the  brothers  so  contrived  matters  as 
to  be  taken  together  to  the  brewery  on  the  day  mentioned,  with 
an  understanding  that  at  a  given  point  they  were  to  dart  from 
the  guard  and  run  for  their  lives — believing  that  the  confusion 
of  the  moment,  and  the  consequent  delay  of  priming  their  mus- 
kets by  the  guards,  would  enable  them  to  escape  l)eyond  the 
ordinary  range  of  musket  shot.     The  project  was  boldly  execut- 
ed.    At  the  concerted  -moment,  the  brothers  sprang  from  their 
conductors,  and  stretched  across  the  plain  with  great  fleetness. 
The  alarm  was  given,  and  the  whole  garrison  was  soon  after 
them  in  hot  pursuit.    Unfortunately  for  Jacob,  he  fell  inti^  a 
ditch  and  sprained  his  ancle.     Perceiving  the  accident,  Frede- 
rick turned  to  his  assistance ;  but  the  other  generously  admonish- 
ed him  to  secure  his  own  flight  if  possible,  and  leave  him  to  the 
chances  of  war.    Recovering  from  his  fall,  and  regardless  of 
the  accident,  Jacob  sprang  forward  again  with  as  nmch  expe- 
dition as  possible,  but  finding  that  his  lameness  impeded  his 
progress,  he  plunged  into  a  thick  clump  of  shrubs  and  trees,  and 
was  fortunate  enough  to  hide  himself  between  two  logs  before  the 
pursuers  came  up.    Twenty  or  thirty  shots  had  previously  been 


1780. 

fired 

smok( 

when 

like  h 

they  \\ 

and  ti 

the  bi 

near  tl 

cer  in 

togethe 

and  th( 

the  flyi; 

returnei 

The 

certain 

sconced 

and  unt; 

forth,  ac 

not  mov 

upon  the 

he  despa 

ing  any  ] 

on  the  gi 

FoIlo\< 

John's  so 

purpose  \ 

course  ho 

of  Lake  ( 

the  water 

ed  with 

already  w. 

woods,  he 

not  procee 

upon  a  pai 

timber  for 

obliged  to 

about  12  ( 

enclosure  v 

engaged  in 

to  dinner. 


m 


17S0.]  NARRATIVE   OP   MCOB   SAMM0N8.  83 

fired  npon  them,  but  without  effpot     t» 

smoke  of  their  fire  probablv  L         ,   J    consequence  of  the 

when  he  threThi^'^n^J^^^^^^^^ 

nice  his  b.,ther,heSpitndul  ^"f.r^^"^"^  ^^"^' 
they  were  fairly  distanced  bylC  t  ^f  ^'''"r'  '"'  ""'^' 
and  trace.  They  returned  in  2ut  hL^  17  T  '"''  ""^^^ 
the  bushes  in  which  the  other^  ,"  'Z'  ^^'^^g"  ^7 
near  that  he  could  distinctly  hear  th.  sheltered,  and  so 

cer  in  command  wa^  ^^rs^^^^^^  ,^^-ffi- 

together,  some  were  swpnr/nrr      ^     f  '^''"'"^  ^'«  ^en 

and  the  sCdTf  LXn  t  ""^^'^  ^'^"^^^"^  ^^  ^^e  race, 
theflying^rS>n2      ,;i°°^>-^, ^^^  as  they  called 

i^turned^toTe  fort.  ^  """  ^""^  ^^""'^°"^>  *«  guards 

The  brothers  had  aereed  in  ««=«    r 

certain  ,p„.  a.,o„.cSlhr„r°'o7':„?™','''r''''  • 

fenced  in  ,he  b„,*es  unffl  nigh"  W  dropp^Zir"  "'^™- 
«»nd  unt  1  he  sunnosed  thp  hn„    k  j     T?^^  "^^  sable  curtains, 

fcrth,  accordin/r^  *?i  .t::ie::::i:'"^  ^  -'"^^ 

no.  raov«  as  rapidly  „„  .ha,eve„i„; TheTu  "ti^^''™.^* 

on  the  ground,  and  that  Frederick  r^r       ■  .,    """  ""  ""'i^ 

Following    he  bank  of  the  w?  ,  ^  *'' "PP"'"'"'™'- 

lohn.  .oon^after  day-brel  Tn  .K^  oHril""  h"' 

^rtrhorew'xCu'gh  r  r^  "■"'  --"^  »^  -« "^ 

of  Lake  Char^fai*  bm  fat  T't"'^  ™  *"  ^^'«">  *ore 
the  water,  he  Cried  a  C  T  '^^'"^  <»  "nter 

ea  With  ofliee^^'r /oldT^  TZ'^Jr  ^^'  '"'• 
already  within  twenty  rods.  Concealing  W™Lf  ''•  "'™ 
woods,  he  resumed  his  ioumev  mf.7^^-    f^"  "«""  '"  *» 

no.  proce^led  more  -hrrof^r  ^L J'^^ '  h'"'  "■" 
upon  a  party  of  sevprnl  »,*,r,j,^  ^°^®  "^  came 

.™^r  f^  tb';  pubTlL^re  rr  "^r i^"z"i;^ »"' 

obliged  to  describe  a  wide  circuit  in  ,,  ^'^^''^  *^^^«  ^e  was 
about  12  o'clock,  he  came  toa  small  r^"'""  °^  ^'^^^^'  '-^^ 
enclosure  wa.  a  house,  Z  i^  tle^I^  teTf '^  J^^'l?  /'^    . 

t:s;:iT:?p^r-.  ^^^^r  ^^^----- 

'  "P^=^"^  "^^™  ««  b«  French,  who  he  had 


a 


p  I  ?■■  i'i 


i 

r" 

P  ■■  ' 

« 

1 

1 

•»■«...    - 

r  am' 

84 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1780. 


heard  were  rather  friendly  to  the  American  cause  than  other* 
wise — incited,  also,  by  hungei*and  fatigue — he  made  bold  to 
present  himself,  trusting  that  he  might  be  invited  to  partake  of 
their  hospitality.  But,  instead  of  a  friend,  he  found  an  enemy. 
On  making  known  his  character,  he  was  roughly  received. 
« It  is  by  such  villains  as  you  are,"  leplied  the  forester,  "that  1  was 
obliged  to  fly  from  Lake  Champlain."  The  rebels,  he  added, 
had  robbed  him  of  all  he  possessed,  and  he  would  now  delivei 
his  self-invited  guest  to  the  guard;  which,  he  said,  was  not  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant.  Sammons  promptly  answered 
him  that  "  that  was  more  than  he  could  do."  The  refugee  then 
said  he  would  go  for  the  guard  himself;  to  which  Sanmions 
replied  that  he  might  act  as  he  pleased,  but  that  all  the  men  in 
Canada  should  not  make  him  again  a  prisoner. 

The  man  thereupon  returned  with  his  son  to  the  potatoe  field, 
and  resumed  his  work ;  while  his  more  compassionate  wife  gave 
him  a  bowl  of  bread  and  milk,  which  he  ate  sitting  on  the 
threshold  of  the  door,  to  guard  against  surprise.    While  in  (tie 
house,  he  saw  a  musket,  powder-horn  and  bullet-pouch  hang- 
ing against  the  wall,  of  which  he  determined,  if  possible,  to 
possess  himself,  that  he  might  be  able  to  procure  food  during  the 
long  and  solitary  march  before  him.    On  retiring,  therefore,  he 
travelled  only  far  enough  into  the  woods  for  concealment — re- 
turning to  the  woodman's  house  in  the  evening,  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  the  musket  and  ammunition.  But  he  was  again  beset 
by  imminent  peril.    Very  soon  after  he  entered  the  house,  the 
sound  of  approaching  voices  was  heard,  and  he  took  to  the  rude 
chamber  for  security,  where  he  lay  flat  upon  the  irregular  floor, 
and  looking  through  the  interstices,  saw  eleven  soldiers  enter, 
vho,  it  soon  appeared,  came  for  milk.    His  situation  was  now 
exceedingly  critical.     The  churlish  proprietor  might  inform 
figainst  him,  or  a  single  movement  betray  him.    But  neitlier 
circumstance  occurred.    The  unwelcome  visiters  departed  in 
due  time,  and  the  fai-ily  all  retired  to  bed,  excepting  the  wife, 
who,  as  Jacob  descuded  from  the  chamber,  refreshed  him 
with  another  bowl  ot  bread  and  milk.    The  good  woman  now 
earnestly  entreated  her  guest  to  surrender  himself,  and  join  the 
ranks  of  the  King,  assuring  him  that  his  Majesty  must  certainly 
conquer  in  the  end,  in  which  case  the  rebels  would  lose  all  their 
property,  and  many  of  them  be  hanged  into  the  bargain.    But 


'Cj^^'-i 


1780.] 


NARRATIVE   OP    JACOB   8AMM0N5. 


86 

•old  him,  that  if  he  wol  lifA  "'>'  ''"""'='''  ^'"'  'h™ 

wood.,  ,h.  would  fumi  h  htawhr"  ""'°  ''''^""«»'  *■  "■« 
ply  of  Which  her  huCd  wtlto*  T  f'Tr"''  ""  »  ^1^ 
•he  would  likewise  e„de„vr,f„ " vide  t' '""'f  "'''" ''">'■ ""» 
Disinclined  to  «n<rer  T  n^        1         *''"' ' P"''"' '^o^- 
■nd  in  the  nei.hboSi  ^f  T-  V^'  """'^  "f  "■<>  «>™y, 
dopTlu.^  fortCh     an  "^"K^'ir''  '"""^"'  '>"  '"Ok  his 
good  woman,  ,hl  he  h!S  i,  „t  '°h-  '^"  ""'  "'""""^  "f  "h" 
husband's  arLs,  and  heTel^thTswl     "''"';''«- "Pon  her 
without  supplie's,  or  .he  met  „f 'pr^Zf  ,h''"  "T"^'" 
once  more  at  the  water's  ed<».  „f  ,1  7°"'""S^  "«»"■    Arriving 
plain,  he  came  uln  a  hnf  wU      Z"  ™''  "^  ^ake  Cham- 

•  P"»ohingitfor^™Loi»lT  ;,"  '''"*■  °"  ^""""^ly  "P 

•  .11  soundV  asw  TheTr^n  '  ^'"""''«'  "  P"'>'  "f'oWie™ 
into  which  he  Zn/lTd  nT^T^T  """""  '''  ">«  *ore, 
.hemc^tencou^lCpS"' t  ^'Z'"'"'  ™''- 
oasy  voyage  to  its  head,  whence  hN  S„  ^  '^""'P"'''"""''' 
attended  with  either  ditieultyor  d^C  b,:.?,  T'""  ""' 
Lcpations  were  extinguished  on  U,"  mVh.  M        P'"^""/  «» 

preached  the  Isle  au  Noi,  wh        "'?!"  following,  a^.  he  ap. 

and  the  glitter  of  ^y^ZCZXZ"^  °  'T""'"'' 
>»""«  played  upon  the  bnrm  hXl  of  ,7  "^  ""^  "°°''- 
were  pacing  rtieir  tedious  ,^^7  Tte  hk!":  ^"""<^"' -"o 
row  at  this  point,  and  perceivi>,ri'l,.,  I^ ...  .  '"^  "''■'■>'  ""• 
he  thought  AeatemDtto^Zh  ^"'  ^"^^  were  fortified, 

raUier  tS  hazarSl""^  1^^^  "T  *7"«''  ^'-«n  them' 

was  .0  run  ..hore.  and  ^S™  his  tmteTs  ^'S' 'T""'' 
tltt^'f:^  ^dTthlT  '^^"  T^'  ™  wThouX" 

journey  itmTroT;*  S" L°  tlT"^  ^'t'-  '""^ 
may  well  be  immrinpH  f k  !  ?^.     P.^"^  trackless  wilderness— it 

mo^  agree;S:i:"S^.^^„1  '"CtZl  ""'  ^•'^='"'  "'  *« 
unnecessarily  his  "Aick.oming  kret"  hTr''  '° '"^'?^ 
solitary  iournev  dirprtm^  i,;.     ^  nancies,    he  commenced  h  s 

toward  iC/'   Durin!  fh  r'"".  ''°"^  '^'  ^^^^^"  ^^^^  «hore 

subsisted  enSyu^^nltfonit^^^^^^^ 

^  he  went.    On  CouXlvtti~"^'^'^ 

heaniaripplin^onnitr-^Jtrr^^J^^ 


<: 

m- 

^  ir*  ' 

O 

c 

cf 

:      1          '!•    • 

m>'t 

•      .■,,»' 

^'•1 

>[. 

.;  f^^"" 

*•■» 

.'f''  I  ■' 

' ;  %■• 

'i*^  *. 

■U'«i|. 

^«< 
^»«< 


c::> 


r 


I 


i     i 


'lin 


I 
•I 


n' 


'¥ 


i!' 


86 


LIFE  OF   BRANT. 


[1780. 


Stemming  its  current.  He  succeeded  in  catching  a  few  of  these, 
but  having  no  means  of  striking  a  fire,  after  devouring  one  of 
them  raw,  the  others  were  thrown  away. 

His  feet  were  by  this  time  cruelly  cut,  bruised,  and  torn  by 
thorns,  briars,  and  stones ;  and  while  he  could  scarcely  proceed 
by  reason  of  their  soreness,  hunger  and  fatigue  united  to  retard 
his  cheerless  march.  On  the  fifth  day  his  miseries  were  aug- 
mented by  the  hungry  swarms  of  musquetoes,  which  settled 
upon  him  in  clouds  while  traversing  ■  swamp.  On  the  same 
day  lie  fell  upon  the  nest  of  a  black  duck — the  duck  sitting 
quietly  upon  her  eggs  until  he  came  up  and  caught  her.  The 
bird  was  no  sooner  deprived  of  her  life  and  her  feathers,  than 
he  devoured  the  whole,  including  the  head  and  feet.  The  eggs 
were  nine  in  number,  which  Sammons  took  with  him ;  but 
on  opening  one,  he  found  a  little  half-made  duckling,  already  • 
alive.  Against  such  food  his  stomach  revolted,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  throw  the  eggs  away. 

On  the  tenth  day  he  came  to  a  small  lake.  His  feet  were 
now  in  such  a  horrible  state,  that  he  could  scarcely  crawl  along. 
Finding  a  mitigation  of  pain  by  bathing  them  in  water,  he 
plunged  his  feet  into  the  lake,  and  lay  down  upon  its  margin. 
For  a  time  it  seemed  as  though  he  could  never  rise  upon  liis 
feet  again.  Worn  down  by  hunger  and  fatigue — bruised  in  body 
and  wounded  in  spirit — in  a  lone  wilderness,  with  no  eye  to  pity, 
and  no  human  arm  to  protect — he  felt  as  though  he  must  re- 
main in  that  spot  until  it  should  please  God  in  his  goodness  to 
quench  the  dim  spark  of  life  that  remained.  Still,  he  was  com- 
forted in  some  measure  by  the  thought  that  he  was  in  the  hands 
of  a  Being  without  whose  knowledge  not  a  sparrow  falls  to  the 
ground. 

Refreshed,  at  length,  though  to  a  trifling  degree,  he  resumed 
his  weary  way,  when,  on  raising  his  right  leg  over  the  trunk  of 
a  fallen  tree,  he  was  bitten  in  the  calf  by  a  rattlesnake !  Quick 
as  a  flash,  with  his  pocket-knife,  he  made  an  incision  in  his  leg, 
removing  the  wounded  flesh  to  a  greater  depth  than  the  fangs 
of  the  serpent  had  penetraf.ed.  His  next  business  was  to  kill 
the  venomous  reptile,  and  dress  it  for  eating ;  thus  appropriating 
the  snemy  that  had  sought  to  take  his  life,  to  its  prolongation. 
His  first  meal  was  made  from  the  heart  and  fat  of  the  serpent. 
Faeling  somowhat  strengthened  by  the  repast,  and  finding, 


I 


178G.J 


NARRATIVE    OF  MCOB   SAMM0N8. 


87 


moreover,  that  he  could  not  travel  farther  •    u- 
tion,  he  determined  to  remain  whl  ,  "/''  P'^""*  ^°»di- 

by  repose,  and  feeding  upon  tlT«  k  V    T""  ^""^  "  ^«^^  ^nys,  and 
•      strength.    Discoverhfg,  S  a  dr!  ^     ''  "''*^' "^^^^^^ 
maple  tree,  he  succoel^d  TnsJZlZT  ?"'  ^^'  '^""'^  "^  » 
fort,  were  c  ssentiolly  ii.crei^ed      S fill   r    ''  ^^  ^'"'^^'  ^"^  '''«'"- 
upon  Jiis  hands  and  knees  tolmh     i    f  '"""  "'^^''^^'^  »«  ^reep 
he  was  yot  in  such  a  s"ate  of  efh  msH    ^''  "^^  ""  '''«  "'^^^^  4 
JO  proceed.    Supposing  tl^afdeath  v   '"  "•'"  ''  ""^^'>^  ""'''b'o 
1-  crawled  to  theVoot  Ic  le  1^1/ "."r^  ""'  ^^^^  "«-' 
menced  inscribing  his  namriinTh"    '"  ^"''^ •'^^^'"'^^  »'«  com- 
leave  his  bones  there,  and  in  ^e t'TK^'"""  ''^"' '"-'  ^''^"'d 
the  aid  of  the  inscription  jlfor^f^^^P','"^"''^"  ^°"^«  ^^«y»  by 
of  his  fate.     While'eng"g^  ^  "^'f  ^  "f  ""«^ely  he  uppLd 

t^ioughts  crowded  upof  h^^^i '^      h    T'^'"  ''""^'  °^P«'"ft'' 

termined  upon  aaiother  ef^rf  to  J  ^"  7''  ^«"^«ined,  he  de 
could  not  do  so  without  rvilrr'"r^''^>^-  «"' he 
For  this  purpose  he  cut  up  hilhafan.  ''  '"  ^'''"^• 

upon  his  feet-and  thus  he  Gobbled  „,         T'  ^^"^"^^  ^hem 
night,  while  lying  i„  the  woods  h^h"''^-    ^"  *^^  ^^^^^^^^S 
with  a  belief  that'he  was  notft'd'  t^'T  '^  '  >  ^^'^  '"^^^--^ 
t^on.    He  had  seen  no  indicat  ons  of  n         "^  ^  ^^"'"'^^^  ^^^ita- 
"^n  ;  but  he  was,  neverthelesno  con^f"^''^  '"  ^'^^  '"^^^^  oi 
wopt  for  joy.    Buoyed  up  and  strength      "/,''  "'^  ''^^^^  *^'"*  he 
he  resumed  his  journey  Tn  the  tlTowt       ''•^'^'^  '"^P^^^^^'^"' 
afternoon,  it  being  the  28th  Tf  JuneT^  "'T''^'  ""^  in  the 
to;vn  of  Pittsford,  in  the  ]\W  h       '.     "'""''"'^  ^  house  in  the 
the  State  of  Vermont.    HeLj^^^^^^^^^     «/-ts-now  forming 
to  recruit  his  health,  and,  if  pZbt  t''  ''''"^'^^  ^''^«'  ^oth 
brother.    But  no  tiings'c^e    ^  ^  f",  ^"^^"'^^"^e  of  his 
^^a  capital  woodsman  JaeTco.^t        '.^"'^^  ^^^^«"ck  to 
death,  or  -capture,  mi  rhaveTrrruTJr^'- ^'"^  «^^-- 
curanga  conveyance  at  Pit'sford   t?  ?       "' ^^""'^y-    ^^o- 
and  thence  to  Schenectadj,  whte  he  h  .  I'T "'^'^  ^°  ^'^^^^ 
nig  his  wife  and  family  •  '  ^^^  '^^  ^'^PPhiess  of  finl! 


family. 
MS.  nwrative  of  J«coh  s 


.    '^ 


ii 


P 


*  ■■  '• 


m. 


I  «  ■ 


a«»moa3.    Ho  died  about  the 


Jl 


year  1810. 


I 


t 


1 


r>i 


:N 


88 


LI7E   OF   BRANT. 


[1780. 


'  i 


Not  less  interesting,  nor  marked  by  fewer  vicissitudes,  were  the 
adventures  of  Frederick  Sammous.  The  flight  from  tlie  Ibrt 
nt  Chanibice  was  rnudc  just  before  sunset,  which  accounts  foi 
the  chase  having  tieen  abandoned  so  soon.  On  entering  the 
edge  of  the  woods,  Frederick  encountered  a  party  of  Indians 
returning  to  the  fort  from  fatigue  duty.  Perceiving  that  he  wjis 
a  fugitive,  they  fired,  and  called  out—"  Wo  have  got  him !"  lu 
this  opinion,  however,  they  were  mistaken ;  for,  aUhough  he  had 
run  close  upon  tefore  perceiving  them,  yet,  being  like  Asaliel 
of  old  swift  of  foot,  by  turning  a  short  corner  and  increasing 
his  speed,  in  ten  minutes  ho  was  entirely  clear  of  the  party. 
He  then  sat  down  to  rest,  the  blood  gtishing  from  his  nose  in 
conseqaence  of  the  extent  to  which  his  physical  powers  had  been 
taxed.  At  the  time  appointed  he  also  had  repaired  to  the  point 
which,  at  his  separation  from  Jacob,  had  been  agreed  upon  as 
the  place  of  meeting.  The  moon  shone  brightly,  and  he 
called  loud  and  often  for  his  brother — so  loud,  indeed,  that  the 
guard  was  turned  out  in  consequence.  His  anxiety  was  very 
great  for  his  brother's  safety ;  but,  in  ignorance  of  hia  situation, 
he  was  obliged  to  attend  to  his  own.  He  determined,  however, 
to  approach  the  fort — as  near  to  it,  at  least,  as  he  could  venture 
— and  in  the  event  of  meeting  pny  one,  disguise  his  own  cha- 
racter by  inquiring  whether  the  rebels  had  been  taken.  But  a 
flash  from  the  sentmel's  musket,  the  report.^ and  the  noise  of  a 
second  pursuit,  compelled  him  to  change  the  direction  of  his 
march,  and  proceed!  again  with  all  possible  speed.  It  had  been 
determined  by  the  brothers  to  cross  the  Sorel,  and  rstum  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river  and  lake ;  but  there  was  a  misunder- 
standing between  them  as  to  the  point  of  crossing  the  river — 
whether  above  or  below  the  fort.  Hence  their  failure  of  meet- 
ing. Frederick  repaired  to  what  he  supposed  to  be  the  desig- 
nated place  of  crossing,  below  the  fort,  where  he  lingered  for 
liis  brother  until  near  morning.  At  length,  having  found  a 
boat,  he  crossed  over  to  the  eastern  shore,  arid  landed  just  at  the 
cock-crowing.  He  proceeded  directly  to  the  bam  where  he 
supposed  chanticleer  had  raised  his  voice,  but  found  not  a  fowl 
on  the  premises.  The  sheep  looked  too  poor  by  the  dim  twi- 
light to  serve  his  purpose  of  food,  but  a  bullock  presenting  a 
more  favorable  appearance,  Frederick  succeeded  in  cutting  the 
unsuspecting  animal's  throat,  and  severing  one  of  the  hind- 


'.'?■ 


1780.] 


NAHRATIVR   OP   FREDERICK    «AMM0N8. 


89 

venicnt  distance,  he  stopped  HlTjr''"^^  **  •""'^  '"''^  -n- 
'.e  supposed  woild  be  Si^t  IT^' "  '"'''  '""'"^  ""'  '^^^^^ 
knapsack  Irom  the  dd^^Tif  j^  0^7?  ""''  ^''^'^"•"" '^ 
moose-wood.  ^         """^  °^  ^'^^  P«eied  from  the 

fa.^ S  theS  o';r^^'  -^^  ^^  ^--  °^  -  ^'-ch 
I'old  fo  enter,  for  the  0^2  /  °'  ''^  """"'•  "«^«  ''«  "^'«le 
tf.e  hope  alsLf  ol  „'i"r!r'r^^^^^^^^  ^-"^  -^  «^t,  ..d  in 
"eithe  obtain  prov  !  oi^l T   ^^^.'^'"""^tion.    But  he  could 

witf.  ^.hic^.  he  reentered  r'    T'"'.''  ^''^'''  ^™«  ^^^^er, 
southern  direction  untn.'  '      ^""''"'^  ^"'"""'^  '"  ^ 

nin..nns,thrK?.tdT^^^^^^^^^ 

slices  for  that  p  losr^H  ,r  "^^  ^  ^^^•^'  ^""'"o^  it  into 
the  same  process  ^Thus^rlTl^  "^'"^  ^''^'  ''''  ^"^«d  by 
out  intern^pt^orad  ;S  rrT';  ^S7f^  ^^'^^^^  -^^- 
a  fa^vn  and  secured  the  v^Ln  j^^^j^i^^^^^^^^  ^^^''ed 
Onion  river,  on  th^  nnv»  ^  ,  .  ^™^^  the  Wmoosla,  or 

wher«  he  fonnd  a  Lt  w'^;'  d.^"'  rLr""  '"  "'''■°'-' 

«nd  lay  down  ,„  rZ   n  fee  heath   T'    °  '""""' ""  ''™' 
<la>™  „f  day,  h   awote  wUh  ™I  '^'""-    "'«  ""  «»» 

an  attack  of  pleuZ     Id   ~h  ^^  ''^>  "'»''=''  P'<"'«1  '->  ■« 

th.«,day.;dLT:hieh^f^  'fy;:rp,ri:r;a7'"'^ 

wat'^i-^nnrb"  ?-,         '  '       fortunately  discovered  a  nond  ..f 

wai_.  ...,ftr  Dy,  lo  wiucn  ne  crawled      If  ««=  -  „.        '  "" 

VOL.  Ti.  7  '•ra^viea.    it  w.ts  o  stagnant  pooj. 


I' 


m 


c,    i'i 


*      i) 


II 


O      if 

■j:r  ■♦•' 


'lit 


c^ 


^.»» 


I    c:> 


Bt  I      _^ 


!    J 


I: 


r!,.!':f 


♦*  .'ft 
n  .1 


I!' 


iiii 


90 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1780 


swarmino'  with  frogs — anothei  providential  circumstance,  inas- 
much as  the  latter  served  him  for  food.  Too  wealc,  however 
to  strike  a  light,  he  was  compelled  to  devour  them  raw,  and 
without  dressing  of  any  kind.  Unable  to  proceed,  he  lay  in  this 
wretched  condition  fourteen  days.  Supposing  that  he  should 
die  there,  he  succeeded  in  hanging  his  hat  upon  a  pole,  with  a 
few  papers,  in  order  that,  if  discovered,  his  fate  might  be  known. 
He  was  lying  upon  a  high  bluff,  in  fall  view  ot  the  lake,  and 
at  no  great  distance  therefrom.  The  hat,  thus  elevated,  served 
as  a  signal,  which  saved  his  life.  A  vessel  sailing  past,  descried 
the  hat.  and  sent  a  boat  ashore  to  ascertain  the  cause.  Thd 
boatmen  discovered  the  body  of  a  man,  yet  living,  but  senseless 
and  speechless,  and  transferred  him  to  the  vessel.  By  the  aid 
of  medical  attendance  he  v/as  slowly  restored  to  his  reason,  and 
having  informed  the  Captain  who  he  was,  had  the  rather  un- 
comfortable satisfaction  of  learning  that  he  was  on  board  of  an 
enemy's  ship,  and  at  that  moment  lying  at  Crown  Point.  Here 
he  remained  sixteen  days,  in  the  course  of  which  time  he  had  the 
gratification  to  hear,  from  a  party  of  Tories  coming  from  the 
settlements,  that  his  brother  Jacob  had  arrived  safe  at  Schenec- 
tady and  joined  his  family.  He  was  also  apprised  of  Jacob's  suffer- 
ings, and  of  the  bite  of  the  serpent,  which  took  place  near  Otter 
Creek,  close  by  the  place  where  he  had  himself  been  so  long 
sick.  The  brothers  were  therefore  near  together  at  the  time  ot 
the  greatest  peril  and  endurance  of  both. 

Frederick's  recovery  was  very  slow.  Before  he  was  able  to 
walk,  he  was  taken  to  St.  John's,  and  thence,  partly  on  a  wheel- 
barrow and  partly  in  a  calash,  carried  back  to  his  old  quarters 
at  Chamblee — experiencing  much  rough  usage  by  the  way. 
On  arriving  at  the  fortress,  the  guards  saluted  him  by  the  title 
of  "  Captain  Lightfoot,"  and  there  was  great  joy  at  his  re-cap- 
ture. It  was  now  about  the  1st  of  August.  As  soon  as  his 
health  was  sufficiently  recovered  to  bear  it,  he  was  heavily 
ironed,  and  kept  in  close  confinement  at  that  place,  until  Octo- 
ber, 1781 — fourteen  months,  without  once  beholding  the  light 
of  the  sun.  Between  St.  John's  and  Chamblee  he  had  been  m»'t 
by  a  British  officer  with  whom  he  was  acquainted,  and  by  whom 
he  was  informed  that  severe  treatment  would  be  his  portion. 
Compassionating  his  situation,  however,  the  officer  slipped  a 
fluinea  and  a  couple  of  doilais  into  his  handS;  ant]  thev  moved  on 


1780.] 


NARRATIVE  or  FREDERICK  8AMM0NS. 


JNo  other  prisoners  were  in  irons  it  Phnw,..) 
Sammons  were  taken  UDon  th.  n    V     ^^hamblee,  and  all  bnt 
the  benefit  of  fresh  al^Tle  iron        ^"°""'  ^^''^^  ^  ^^'^'^'^  ft>r 
as  to  wear  into  the  fl    h  oJtl  ""  ""S  '"  '"'^  '^"'  ^°  ^'■^''''' 
tain  Steele,  the  officer  of  the  sl  f  '  '"^  '"''"'"^  ^^"^^  ^'"P" 

g™on  at  Chamblee  at  th'  eLl^^^^^^^^^  ^^'  ^^-^"ding  the 
not  allow  the  sur^eor  torrr^rM^"'^"''''*^^*^'^  would 
of  which  they  wfre  the  an.  .V'"'  ''  ^''''  ^^«  -«""ds, 
procnred  ^r  tlljp:;l%  ^Ger^^^^  -' 

at  St.  John's.     The  humanit^  nfT  ^^''' ''     '  ^««  ^^^^n 

plication  of  hisownacrrd     F       r"T"  ^''"^^''^  ^^is  ap. 

only  allow  the  leglTst  be  knT.^^^^^^^^^^^ 

hand-cuffs.     The  dressinc.  of  his  Ip!.  f  ^''"^'"^  °"  '^^ 

above  Montreal.  Samrnons  was  .  uT^"  ''"^^  ^'''^'^ 
hand-cuffs,  but  the  o  hTprisors  T^'^'^^J'  ^^^-1  in  his 
There  were  about  two  hundred  --r'  ""'  '^'''  encumbered, 
whom  were  very  closeirjlt^^^^^^^^^  ^^eisl^a^.U  of 

Sammons  organised  a  con'spLcylfiihnL^^^^^^  of  1782, 

ers,  to  make  their  escape  bvsP.ViLI  ^  ^^"°^^  P^^son- 

nigh  effected  their  obLt^  ^Z^^^ 

purpose  was  defeated  Tnd  stm'onrr^'TT'  ^^^^^ 
more  placed  in  irons.  But  at  The  end  Z  c  ""^^^^r,  o)^  e 
were  removed,  and  he  was  a  Wd  to  ret  ,.^7olLt  /'^  ^""^ 

Impatient  of  such  protracted  captiS  pl^^' ^*- 
bent  on  escaping,  for  which  nurnn  Jh      ^'  Frederick  was  still 
er,  by  the  name  if  MCuHen  T     ^V"^^''^  ^  fellow-prison- 
of  seeking  an  oppoStyTo' ^.^  t"  "h^ '^  ^^^.n,  e.,loit 
then  chance  of  swimming  to  the  £    T^Z'^'  ^"^  ^^^'"^- 
attempting  the  bold  adventure  ^.Talll       TT''''''  ^°' 
gfust.    The  prisoners  having,  to  ^nutber  „f  fif^  l'''^  ''^"■ 
to  walk  to  the  foot  of  the  island  v!,r.    ^*^'  ^^^"  ^"°we(J 
tne  island,  but  around  the  whole  of  which 

U.e  United  States  in  November  1836;     "  ""'"'  *"''  Vjco-Preaident  qf 


o 


i  ■:  ?! 


"J 'I      .ti- 
ll*'I'      ' ; 


H'J 


,*  1  2 


J    i. 


?#|! 


t>" 


92 


LTPK   OP   naANT. 


[1780. 


a  chain  of  sentinels  was  oxtondud,  Samrnons  and  M'Mullcn, 
without  having  conferred  with  any  one  else,  watching  an  op- 
portunity when  the  nearest  sentinel  turned  his  back  upon  them, 
quietly  glided  down  beneath  a  shelving  rock,  and  plunged  into 
tlie  stream — each  holding  up  and  waving  a  hand  in  token  of  fare- 
well to  their  fellow-pvisoners,  ns  the  surge  swept  them  rapidly 
down  the  stream.  The  sentinel  was  distant  about  six  rods 
when  they  threw  themselves  into  the  river,  and  did  not  discover 
their  escape  until  they  were  beyond  the  reach  of  any  molesta- 
tion he  could  offer  them.  Three-quarters  of  a  mile  below  the 
island,  the  rapids  were  such  ns  to  heave  the  river  into  swells 
too  large  for.  boats  to  encounter.  This  was  a  frightful  part  of 
their  voyage.  Both,  however,  were  expert  swimmers,  and  by 
diving  as  they  approached  each  successive  surge,  both  succeeded 
in  making  the  perilous  prtssivgc— tho  distance  of  this  rapid  being 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  rods.  As  they  plunged  succes- 
sively into  these  rapids,  they  had  little  expectation  of  meeting 
each  other  again  in  this  world.  But  a  protecting  Providence 
ordered  it  otherwise,  and  they  emerged  from  the  frightful  bil- 
lows quite  near  together.  "  I  am  glad  to  see  you,"  said  Sam- 
rnons to  his  friend  ;  "  I  feared  we  should  not  meet  again."  "  We 
have  had  a  merry  ride  of  it,"  replied  the^other ;  "but  we  could 
not  have  stood  it  much  longer." 

The  adventurous  fellows  attempted  to  land  about  two  miles 
below  the  island,  but  the  current  was  so  violent  as  to  baffle  their 
purpose,  and  they  were  driven  two  miles  farther,  where  they 
happily  succeeded  in  reaching  the  land,  at  a  place  on  the  north 
side  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  called  by  the  Canadians  "  The  Devil's 
Point."  A  cluster  of  houses  stood  near  the  river,  into  some  of 
which  it  was  necessary  the  fugitives  should  go  to  procure 
provisions.  They  had  preserved  each  a  knife  and  tinder- 
box  in  their  waistcoat  pockets,  and  one  of  the  first  objects,  after 
arming  themselves  with  substantial  clubs,  was  to  procure  a  sup- 
ply of  tinder.  This  was  effected  by  boldly  entering  a  house  and 
rummaging  an  old  lady's  work-bcusket.  The  good  woman, 
frio-htened  at  the  appearance  of  the  visiters,  ran  out  and  alarmed 
the  village— the  inhabitaiits  of  which  were  French.  In  the 
meantime  they  searched  the  house  for  provisions,  fire-arms,  and 
ammunition,  but  found  none  of  the  latter,  and  only  a  single  loaf 
of  bread.     They  also  plundcnvl  Uio  housu  of  u  blatikci,  bluiikct- 


1780.  J 


NARRATIVE   OP   FREDERICK   8AMM0NS. 


93 


blows  of  FredeLkS     Th      ir?  ^^  '^'«  ^^^'^irected 

peasants  now  n.shed  u™>n  fhi  i  1:  '^''^  ^'°'"  ^^^-  The 
give  battle,  whi:h  1~^^  ^'T"  '"^^  ""^"  ^^  '^ 
seeing    their  resolution    fh.  "  '^"'^*  5  whereupon, 

fugitivestime'to  coll^Ililt  t^^TT  '7'  '""^ 
mence  their  travels  anew     t!?  ^     u      P^""^^''  ^<^  ^om- 

-ing-p.ace,whetrrhal^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

of  the  rL,  wh:;':;'^rd^^^^^^^^^^      ^^«  --^^^^^^^ 

cattle  fled  at  their  ann'-oach  •  LIT  f  settlements.  The 
inafarm-yaM,  whS^1hey'cap"u  ed'^d"""'  came „,K,r, a  calf 
own  use  and  behoof  a  canL  Sin^h ''''^^^^^  "^  '''''' 
with  their  prize,  to  cross  ovp^t^^r^  u  '"''"''  ^^^^^  ^n^barked 
when  in  the  nSddle  of  rh  J  '^^,^'^*^^^"  ^^ore.  But  alas ! 
were  in  ameas™^  L  t^^^^^  ''''*'"  *^^  P'-^^'^  broke,  and  they 

ryingthem  onT^d  t  Iv veT!/ n'J'^  '°°''  ^^''^^  ^^  ^- 
falls  of  the  Cedars     Thtl  ^         ,  "'^'  '"^^^^  ^^^«  ^'^P'ds  or 

;hebrinkofwhS:;t::s;rin^t^^^^^^ 

this  predicament,  the  ca^orwrups^e^-Rer''  '''"5""^  ^" 

a  fire,  they  now  dressed  their  veal  and  on  fZfT  SiriKing 

by  towing  their  canoe  alonrZCround  t  ^    '^"^'"^'''^^"^' 
the  island,  succeeded  in  crossinl  ^  fh  '''".  "^"^  ^«  <>f 

They  then  plunged  dir^ctlv  2h^     7  ^"^  ''^'  °^  ^^«  "^«r- 
from  the  St  dvlnc^luX       ""''''"  ^°'^^^  ^^^^"^'"ff 
twelve  days  ofireW  h    ;T    '^'' ^ 
Within  sixties  TZ^i^^f^iTX  ''l  '''  ''^ 
pass,  Sammons  had  laid  his  course     Tt!  "^^  °'  '°"»- 

a  few  days,  and  their  onl^Xelem   nT''™'^"'*'^ '"^ 
-„j  u-_i        ^.  '  '^""sequent  tood  rnpsisfoH  ^vr  — -^- 

Whole  journey  was  made  almost  in  a  state  of 


i  ■ 

i 

I 

14 


i'  V 


Lv, 

■'■(.' 

94 


LIFE   OF  BRANT. 


[1780. 


nudity — both  being  destitute  of  pantaloons.  Having  worn 
out  their  hats  upon  their  feet,  the  last  three  days  they  were 
compelled  to  travel  bare-footed.  Lonsr  before  their  journey  was 
ended,  therefore,  their  feet  were  dreadfully  lacerated  and  swol- 
len. On  arrivin<r  at  Schenectady  the  inhabitants  were  alarmed  at 
their  wild  and  savage  appearance — half  naked,  with  lengtiieued 
beards  and  matted  hair.  The  people  at  length  gathered  round 
them  with  strange  curioshy;  but  when  they  made  themselves 
known,  a  lady  named  Ellis  rushed  through  the  crowd  to  grasp 
the  hand  of  Frederick,  and  was  so  much  affected  at  his  altered 
appearance  that  she  fainted  and  fell.  The  welcome  fugitives 
were  fortliwith  supplied  with  whatever  of  food  and  raiment  wiis 
necessary ;  and  yoimg  Sammons  learned  that  his  father  and  fa- 
mily had  removed  back  to  Marbletown,  in  the  county  of  Ulster, 
whence  he  had  previously  emigrated  to  Johnstown. 

A  singular  but  welbattested  occurrence  closes  this  mteresting 
personal  narrative.  The  family  of  the  elder  Sammons  had  long 
given  up  Frederick  as  lost.  Op  the  morning  after  his  arrival  at 
Schenectady,  he  despatched  a  letter  to  his  father,  by  the  hand  of 
an  officer  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  who  left  it  at  the  house 
of  a  Mr.  I^evi  De  Witt,  five  miles  distant  from  the  residence  of 
the  old  gentleman.  The  same  night  on  which  the  letter 
was  thus  left,  Jacob  dreamed  that  his  brother  Frederick  was 
living,  and  that  there  was  a  letter  from  him  at  De  Witt's  an- 
nouncing the  joyful  tidings.  The  dxeam  was  repeated  twice, 
and  the  contents  of  the  letter  were  so  strongly  impressed  upon  his 
mind,  that  he  repeated  what  he  believed  wtis  the  very  language, 
on  the  ensuing  morning — insisting  that  such  a  letter  was  at  the 
place  mentioned.  The  family,  his  father  in  particular,  laughed 
at  him  for  his  credulity.  Strong,  however,  in  the  belief  that 
there  was  such  a  communication,  he  repaired  to  the  place  desig- 
nated, and  asked  for  the  letter.  Mr.  De  Witt  looked  for  it,  but 
replied  there  was  none.  Jacob  requested  a  more  thorough  search, 
and  behold  the  letter  was  found  behind  a  barrel,  where  it  had 
fallen.  Jacob  then  requested  Mr.  De  Witt  to  oj^cn  the  letter, 
and  examine  while  he  recited  its  contents.  He  did  so,  and 
the  dreamer  repoated  it  word  for  word  !* 

•  The  facta  contained  in  this  account  of  thooapti.  :_v  of  Frederick  Samtnoni, 
have  bpim  drawn  from  the  narrative  written  by  himself  immediatrly  af><T  hjs 
return.    !n  regard  totho  dream,  which  1  have  thou<7ht  of  iufficientinteres!  to  record 


'780.] 


INVASION  OP   CANAJOHARIE. 


96 

iteturmng  from  these  digressions   fh«     k  •       .  , 
events  to  be  recorded  >vnll  te   re  "1  5  •      ^  °^  ^'^*°"^^^ 
John  Johnson  having  mTde  .anTl  '"  '^'''  '''^''-     Sir 

scribed,  no  oUier  t^^iSonTf       '  '"'''''''  ^  ^'''"^^''^  ^e- 
Mohawk  Valley  tmSl    Id  If'T"^"'""  °^^"^^^^  ^  ^he 
Thayendanc^ea  wosla  '  ar^  of  August,  when  the  dreaded 
Colonel  OanLoorT  ZZZ^ZTT''''  ""  ^'^«  ^-- 
the  0th  of  June,  to  rep^t:!  Xn'^  I^^^f^^  ^'^"^-'  - 
take  charge  of  a  quantitv  of  .»         J      '     "^  ^'^  regiment,  to 
m  his  ins^uctions  "2t  offif^r  """f  ''  '''''  ^^'^"yi- 
thealarnungsituaiono  ItnT'?^^^^^    ^""*''"  ^''^^^«d  to 
-t  vigilalJt  ^^tcnm^^^tTsZT'  Th'  "^"'"^'  ^^ 
of  course  to  be  transported  in  h?.!        ^  ^  ''^  "^''''^^s  ^^ere 

whole  distance.     Aware  of  he  '        "^'  ''^^^""^  ^^^^^ed  the 
had  caused  the  valley  o  tmTJT'  "''^"'^  ''''''>  ^rant 
^  capture  them,  and  Un"^  tat  F^ITT  "'  ''''  ^"^^"^'- 
to  prevent  either  occurrence   th."^'"' '*'"^^-    ^"o'-der 
sentforwaMtostrenXnTe'  '      ™'"^'  °^  ^'^^  county  were 
oi  the  Fort.    Ha^nf  th"if  div   Zf '  T^  ''^^'^  ^°  *«  d^^nco 
caused  the  militia  to'b^'dL^^lt  \h  T''  ^"^"^^'^"'  ^^ 
volley,  the  wily  Mohawk  pSrd  ^undtthT"  "''°"  ''  *^« 
day  above  mentioned,  made  a  sudden  d^  ''"'  ""^  *^"  ^^^ 

ne  and  its  adjacent  settlemens^T^^^^^^^  ''^""j^^- 

stockades  among  the  different  nli^H^r  7''"  "^^"'^^  ^"^^^ 
principal  work  ff  defct^  h  „  c^^^^^^^^^^^  but  the 

quently  Fort  Plain  was  sih,„L  ^^''"^''  ^"d  subse- 

looking  the  valley,irthe  3^0  "r  ^  '''"^'^^  ^'^'^  °-- 
latter  name  of  the  fortress  t  A  n  "^'"'^"^  ^''  ^^^^"^"ff  the 
this  fort,  but  not  of  tS  stt  ^f  tf  ^1^,^^  ^^^  ^" 
mentwith  the  forcesof  Brant,  whi£  the, rrh'  '"'^'^- 
OnT7l  '''  "°  design  Wa^llullJngS  ^^-^--^-^ 
-"tt::"r^^^^^^^^  <^-^oh^'a  fe.  mile, 

firmed  .he  circumstances  related  as  oc^u^rin^at  Lu  h  '  ''x'''"  "^•'^'  «'-ays'co„. 
-y»  at  the  conclusion-..  I  write  th.rto  SI  t.^r  ^"''  ^'•"""°"''  ^™'""' 
"  '""'•"'g  ""ealed  by  dream8."-^XV       ^         "'""■  "^  P-^P'"  ''''o  say  the« 

•Annals  of  Tryon  County. 

t  For  a  drawing  of  Fort  PInnfc  «-  c    .  tm  . 
.ee  Appendix.  No.  I.    tJ  ?:1":  ^T' ^  "'^.-'^  «  ">- partic«.r  descripUon. 

r  the  forta  and  bloc.-nou.^  of  thu.  frontier  during  the  wa^of  ^  S;;;;^"""" 


''».( 


f-  ''tj 


if' 


i%i 


,m-v 


96 


LIFE   op  BRANT. 


[1780. 


I 


eastwaidly  of  the  fort,  the  alarm  was  given  by  a  wonian,  who 
fired  a  cannon  for  that  purpose.  But  as  the  able-bodied  men 
were  absent,  as  already  stated,  the  chief  met  with  no  immediate 
opposition,  and  before  the  militia  could  be  rallied  from  Schenec- 
tady and  Albany,  he  had  ample  time  to  effect  the  object  of  the 
enterprise.  The  settlements  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  for 
several  miles,  were  entirely  laid  waste.  All  the  moveable  pro- 
perty that  could  be  taken  off  was  secured  as  plunder  ;  but  no 
outrages  were  committed  upon  the  defenceless  women  and  chil- 
dren, other  than  carrying  them  into  captivity — a  circumstance 
that  has  been  attributed  to  the  absence  of  the  Tories  in  this  ex- 
pedition, and  also  to  the  fact  that  there  was  no  divided  com- 
mand— Brant  being  himself  the  sole  leader.  Be  that  as  it  may, 
the  Mohawl-  chief  is  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  this  instance  of 
humanity,  in  forming  a  final  judgment  of  his  character. 

But  the  strength  of  the  main  fort  did  not  deter  the  chief  from 
leading  his  warriors  directly  into  its  vicinity,  where  the  church, 
distant  about  a  quai-ter  of  a  mile,  and  the  parsonage,  together 
with  several  other  buildings,  were  burnt.  Sixteen  of  the  in- 
habitants were  killed,  between  fifty  and  sixty  persons,  mostly 
women  and  children,  were  taken  prisoners,  fifty-three  dwelling- 
Iiouses,  and  as  many  barns  were  burnt,  together  with  a  grist- 
mill, two  small  forts,  and  a  handsome  church.  Upward  of  three 
hundred  black  cattle  and  horses  were  killed  or  driven  away, 
the  arms  of  the  people,  their  working-tools  and  implements  of 
husbandry  destroyed,  and  the  growing  crops  swept  from  the 
fields.*  Indeed,  the  fairest  district  of  the  valley  was  in  a  single 
day  rendered  a  scene  of  wailing  and  desolation ;  and  the 
ravages  enacted  in  the  Indian  country  by  General  Sullivan  the 
preceding  year,  were  in  part  most  unexpectedly  re-enacted  by 
the  Indian  chieftain  himself  in  the  heart  of  the  country  of  his 

invaders.t 

The  first  admonition  of  the  invasion  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Johnstown,  fifteen  miles  from  Canajoharie,  was  by  the  ascending 
columns  of  smoke  from  the  burning  buildings.  The  people 
were  employed  harvesting  in  the  fields,  but  they  turned  out  im- 

*  MS.  lettef  of  Colonol  Clyde  to  Governor  George  Clinton. 

■f  A  drtachment  from  this  expedition  was  sent  by  Brant,  at  the  same  limp,  against 
the  settlement  on  the  Norman's  Kill,  in  the  very  neighborhood  of  Albany,  where 
tbcy  siieeeeded  in  br.ming  twenty  •- -jsss.— Jifasiraiss. 


a780.] 


BURNING   OP   CANAJOHARIE. 


97 


•he  scene  of  confla ™a'  o^*^  A"'  fJ'."""  """«».  P™«ied  to 
retreat.     Indeed  it  i,  in,i„  ,Ti,      *'"">""•  °'  '» intercept  his 

^.eo„,o„e,,t;ci'::r;^;,rf-™x^>2'^ 

was,  nevertheless  bv  nn  mo.%,c        •  ^'  ^"®  former 

men  that  night  in  the  fort     tLT  I  ^°'°"^'  ^"^^^^^  '"^^ 

regular  andlrre^dar  were  on  n  J  '""'"'"-^'  ^'^"^  ^^^«  *^°°P«. 
covered  on  fire  S  l  dil!  v.  ^^  ?  '"'"'"  ^""'^'"^  ^^^^«  dis- 
day  before  The  atten^nVT^f  '.'^  ^^^^"^^^  ^^«  «-"««  the 
to  le  fact,  helt^rkeHaf  if^t^^^  7'"^'''  ^'"^  '^'-^^^d 
to  go  in  pursuitThev  nit  M  ^  r'""'""''"  ^^^«  ^«P«««d 
Trjon  cLntrnlmLX had^ ifed  th  V^''  ^'^^  °^ ''^ 
diately  turned  out.  «  We  hastened  to  1  ^  "'°'"'"^'  '"''"'" 
"con Id      Thp  »n         -J      fastened  to  the  place  as  soon  as  wo 

leave  their  own  St  uS.^!l  .   '' '''"' """  <^'""I«»«' "» 

-penin,  the  — Sr^l^  ^c^Sc' hti^ S.T^  ^^ 
assured  that  their  to^^-n  could  hp  in  nn  ^  ^^^^'-  ^"t  bejng 
to  the  order,  and  their  i^il  t  a  m^ched  e^^^^^^^^^^  ^"'™^^ 
the  valley.  The  result  was  deplTaHe  el  '^  TZr^l:' 
cess  of  his  stratagem  added  another  plurne  to  the  ^es!  n^^^T 
Great  Captain  of  the  Six  Nations.''^  °^    *^" 

•  MajorThomas  Sammons,  who  was  in  the  wl.Pnt  fi»M  -  u     .u 
and  who  immediately  repaired'to  the  scene  ofVc.ioT  '"  ''^  ""**'  ^  "«»• 

t  MSS.  of  Major  Sammons. 

Brant.  But  this  couW  Ja^  „  have  l^eJ  h;  rT  '".  '^f  "P^"°"  '^"'^  ^"P'"" 
upon  the  sohject.  Thelt^aZn^ltedta^  b  It"  ""J""'"  "^  "'^"' 
57  houses  and  42  bams  were  burnt     17  n  ^  ,^  ">«  Canajohane  settlements 

the  same  time,  it  waTs,rd  thaT  n  I'ofT  f A'"'  '' ''''^" P""""^"-  ^' 
were  burnt,  7  persons  k  ltd     an3  Ti\  "^^""'  "'"'"'"^"'^  «''  '«'"''-' 

houses  bum.     Total   140  hn..'/^    taken  pnsoners.     At  Nomian's  Kill,  20 
umi.     1  otai,  140  houses  and  bams  burnt :  24  people  kiUed  •  ^nA  i"       Z 
pnsoaen,.-v«,««,'.  Remembrancer,  Part  7/.-1780.  '  ""*^ 


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*• 


CUAPTER  IV. 

GrnRritl  pmgrPM  of  Iho  War— Dpnign  Rirainitt  Now- York — OUnrn  nt  llio  Soiitimm 
TimipainnH— Trt'nmin  of  ArnoKI-  K«(>rtilioii  of  Anilr*— ?iiiliiiii  ilcmitnlion  to 
Count  (In  Uuclmiiil>i>»u,  in  lllio<li)  liliiiid — InvuRion  of  tlio  8oholiArut-Killuiul  t)ie 
Muliawk  Vallii'n,  liv  .Sir  .loliii  Joliii!<oii,  lliaiit,  kiiiI  tlio  Corii-I'liiiiti^r — Siirprisn 
of  tlio  u|<|ior  fori— I'lio  niiilill"  fort  iiivcutwl— (\»nil<iol  of  Murphy  in  Iking  ujior 
•  ll.ijj — Sin){nlnr  pi'oiiH:iitioii  of  tlia  mo^o — Murphy's  continimcy — Tho  lla^*  lircd 
upon  thriei'— Sir  John  pn>cre<lii  to  the  lower  fort — After  n  l)ri«f  hilt,  iiil»«n- 
ct'«  Bstniu  to  tho  Mohitwk,  dt'stroviiii;  every  thing  in  hi*  wny — Mnrih^r  of  Iho 
inhrthitiUU^— The  Vroonmim-  Her.  «in  of  a  woman — .Sir  John  arrivim  at  Fort 
1  Inuter— lUvn.^es  tho  Mohawk  Valh-y— nnlllo  of  Stonn  Arahia  ftod  dotlh  of 
Colonel  Hro\vii— llin  character — ll«iniirkal)lo  anecdote  of  OunornI  Arnold — 
Sir  John  proo('(><lM  to  Klock'n  Field— !«  pnriined  hy  Van  lleoHnehier,  thonah 
with  nnaeeouDlahle  delay— Hallle  of  Kloek'g  Field— Flight  of  tho  Indiani— 
Str«n>;o  relreat  of  Van  Uensiielaer— Affair*  of  the  night — Swret  ilight  of  the 
*^n>eii»  and  Uan>;(>r«— The  porsuit — Oenerat  Van  Rensnelaer  prematurely  ro 
linipiiHhen  it— Capture  of  (Captain  Vnxiinan  and  hiK  company,  by  Hranl,  in  tho 
nei<{hhorhood  of  Oneida — 'rouchinir  incident  al  Fort  Hunter — Singular  story  ro- 
(<p<'elin«;  the  Corn-Planter — Major  CHrleion'n  expe<lition  asinintl  Foria  Anne  and 
iJeoisji'— Correspondence  on  the  (uhjoct  of  phjwucra—Allaifa  at  Niagara — Sui- 
ting in  of  Winter. 

TiiF.  nctivo  operations  of  tho  war,  dnrinsj  the  open  months  of 
tho  proscnt  yi^ar,  with  tho  oxcoptioii  of  tho  succossive  invasions 
of  tho  Mohawk  Valloy  by  Sir  John  Johnson  ami  Captain  Briint 
at  tho  head  of  tho  loyftHsts  and  Indians,  were  chioHy  confniod 
to  tho  Sonthem  states.  True,  indeed,  in  anticipation  of  the 
arrival  of  another  Frcncli  (loot,  with  an  army  under  the  (\>nntde 
Rochjnnlxvtu,  for  the  hmd  service,  an  attack  hod  been  meditated 
hy  the  (^unmander-inH'hief  upon  New- York,  and  vtu-ious  prc- 
Uniinary  measures  \\'cro  adopted  for  that  object.  Hut,  in  order 
to  cover  the  real  desiijn,  on  attempt  was  made,  after  the  return 
of  the  Marquis  do  lioftiyette  from  France,  in  the  Spring^,  to  di- 
vert the  attention  of  tlie  British  Commander  hy  inducing  a  be- 
lief that  Ciuiada  was  again  to  be  invaded  by  a  combined  move- 
ment of  the  Americans  luid  tJieir  alHes.  For  this  purpose,  pro- 
clamations, addressed  to  the  Canadian  i)eople,  were  prepared, 
one  of  which  was  written  in  French,  and  signed  by  Lafayette. 
These  proclamations  were  printed  witli  great  secrecy,  but  at  the 
same  time  for  the  express  purpose  of  allowing-  copies  of  them  to 
fall  into  tlie  hands  of  the  enemy,  to  mislead  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 
The  printing  was  confided  by  Washington  to  General  Arnold  ; 
and  as  the  stratagem  was  unsuccessful,  subsequent  events  induced 
a  b«Ucf  tl'iai  the  tfeasonable  practices  of  tiiat  ofSccr  Iiad  ilicn 


1780.] 


OKNKIIAL    IMlOOaKHS    oP   TilK    WAR. 


99 


ady  cormnoMCKl.     'Pi.o  ,.,tt.r  from  W.ushm^on  U.  Arnold 
-IK.  ...^  the  pr.„t.M,  of  thoso  proclanuaion-s,  wu«  daM      no' 
4f  .      t  w,us  aflorvvanl  satisfarUTily  as,x.;tainod,  that "  ibr  .ovoral 

•sU/   to  tho  enemy,  hy  sending  intdli^r,,..,,  concerning  the 
^movement.,  and  p|,u..s  of  the  An.erican  arn.y.-     Vario  n  n  " 
to^vard  arcumstancos  concnrred  in  frnstrating  U.e  dcs  ^m    f    o 
u  ,en.Ied  con  ,n.ed  n.oven.ent  njK.n  New- York.     In  th    H    t 
P  HOP  .though  (;onKres.s  had  made  h.r,e  pronnse.  to    'an 
of  e/hc.cnt  coM,,)c.r«tion,  In  the  event  of  ListanCo  fror      1' 
-l-rte,  yet  tho  backw,udnes.  oHnany  of  the  sl    .f ^^ 
7s!^    re.spect.vo  „uoh.  of  n.en,  ,u.d  tho  continued  deiicily 
of  ^^pphe«  wero  ser.ons  disconr«gen.ents  to  tf.e  Commander- 
m-ch  ef,  and  ho  almost  beg^m  to  despcur  of  tho  undertakir.J  |1 
fore  the  arrival  of  his  alhes.    In  ,ho  second  pllt  o  Zt  "^ 
U.C  Chevaher  Ternay,  with  the  army  of  the  cL^d  LcW 
hK.a     d^^^^^  not  arrive  so  early  by  .several  weeks  as  was  toS 
In  le    nrd  place,  S.r  Henry  (Jlinton  havin,  retnrned  to  New 

Yo      d  ^t   :    P  "'•  ;■''?"'  "'  "''^'^"'^  ^''«  ^-^-  or  New- 
York  Orcct   t^io  I  rend,  admiral  was  constrained  to  put  into 

he  harbor  of  Rhode  Island,  where  the  arn.y  wa.s  land.S    and 
fore  dLsposmons  could  be  ,nade  for  a  combined  n  ovir^.l 
henco  ..pon  New-York,  tho  British  Adn.iral  Graves  ,n7ved  ofl 
Rhode  Is  and  wuh  a  superior  force,  so  that  the  Chevalier  Ternay 
«.  blockaded     Tho  result  of  all  these  occurrences  wi  I  .^' 
linq.ushment,  for  the  time,  of  tho  ent(,rprise  ajfah.st  New  Yo/k  • 
and  the  French  and  An.erican  arn.ies  were  doomed  to  omp   1' 
tive  mact,v.ty  at  tho  north  the  whole  season.  ^ 

Not  so,  however,  at  the  south.     After  the  fall  of  Charleston 
in  the  Spr.ng,  the  British  troops,  under  those  able  and  S 
officers,  Cornwallis,  Tarleton,  Lord  Rawdo...  and  others  almost 
cnrm^ly  over-ron  the  Southern  States.     Tarl^o.x's  first  I^^^^^^^^ 
mm  wo.  tho  cutting  up  of  Colonel  Buford,  with  abou  four 
hundred  men,  at  the  Waxhaws.    In  South  Ca  olina  all  idel  of 
farther  res^tance  seemed  to  be  abandoned,  until  Sumpterre 
turned    and  revived  their  spirits  by  provi.  g  at  wXCoS 
ph.ntaf.on  that  the  invaders  were  not  invincibl.    B^       Tlv 
after  General  Gates  had  assumed  the  command  in  the  Southed 

.~™  Wash..gton  to  LafayeUe.  Arnold.  a.,d  o^.r^^Z ,2:^ ::7i!'^ 


C) 


c^ 


f 'i 


8   iWf 


Mr 

Si 


ill  t;. 


100 


LIFK  OP  nnANT. 


[1780. 


M'i 


ni'prvrttnVnt,  to  which  tho  brnvo  Huron  Do  Knlb  hod  oyKMitnl  the 
w.iy,  the  st'von!  d'sastiT  at  ( 'mndon,  whoro  tho  inilitin  ran  nwiiy,  fw 
usniil,  lit  tlio  Uf^iiiuin^f  of  tho  battlo,  rnndorod  all  (i^ain  jjlooitiy 
as  lioliiro.'  Tlio  Huron  I)oKi\l!»  foil  in  this  juMion,  covownI  witli 
wounds.  ("^loHO  upon  tho  hools  of  this  dofout,  foUowod  tho  snrpriso 
and  all  hut  annihilation  of  Sinnptor'a  forcos,  liy  Tarloton,  at  tho 
Watoreo.  Hut  tho  splondid  alfair  at  Kind's  Monntain,  on  tho 
7th  of  Ortohor,  in  which  hVrjfusnn,  with  a  Invly  of  twolvo  or 
fiftocn  hundrod  loyalists,  and  ahont  ono  hnndrod  British  rojfu- 
lars,  was  dofoatcd  and  takon  by  ('amplMill,  8holby,  luid  C1«mivo- 
land,  at  tho  hoad  of  tho  hardy  nionntainoc^rs  of  Virjrinia  and  North 
( -arolina,  witli  tho  ro-npiwaranrc^  of  kSuinptor  in  tho  t'uM  at  the 
hoad  of  a  bmly  of  volnntoors — <lol'oatinsj  Major  Weniys  fJ  Uroad 
rivor,  on  tho  12th  of  NovoiulM'r,  and  ropnlsin^r  Tarloton  himsolf 
at  Hlivck-ytoclcs  nwir  thoTiirdr  riv«r,on  tho  2(Hii, — conlrilintodnot 
a  littlo  to  n>vive  tho  spirits  of  tho  Aniorican.^  in  that  qnartor.  At 
tho  north,  tho  only  considerablo  moveinont  by  tlio  onemy  was  the 
oxpodition  of  tho  Hessian  Gonorul  Knyphan.sen  into  Now  Jorsoy, 
Jnrinij  whicli  ho  burnt  thirteon  housos  and  tho  chnrcli  at  Oon- 
nocticnt  Karnv,  and  fifty  houses  at  Sprinsrfiold.  Fiffhtinjj;  a 
battle  at  that  i)lace  without  achiovinsf  a  victory,  he  returnod  to 
Elizabethtown,  and  thence  back  to  New- York. 

Hut  the  great  event  of  the  Summer  at  tho  north,  was  the  cap- 
ture of  the  Hritisii  Adjutant  General,  Major  Andr6,  in  the 
character  of  a  spy,  and  the  consequent  detection  of  tho  treason 
of  Gtnieral  Arnold.  The  annals  of  war  furnish  not  a  more 
tkjjnuU  instance  of  treachery  than  that.  Arnold  was  a  bravo 
man,  who  had  sharetl  largely  in  the  confidence  jf  Wivshington 
during  the  earlier  years  of  tlio  war ;  and  altho'  igli  events  had 
suljscqnently  occurred  which  must  seriously  'lave  sliakon  the 
finitJi  of  tlie  Cotnmander-in-chief  in  liis  private  virtue  and  in- 
tegrity, still  he  could  not  have  entertained  the  slightest  suspicion 
of  his  patriotism,  or  his  integrity  to  the  country;  ignorant, 
probably,  of  the  fact  which  will  appear  a  few  pages  ahead,  that 
even  that  had  been  questioned,  during  the  Canadian  campaign  of 
1776.    But,  aside  from  Arnold's  thirst  for  military  fame,  which 

•  From  the  time  of  his  leaving  tlic  command  at  Providenre  in  the  beginning  of  the 
preceding  winter,  General  Qites  had  been  residing  at  his  own  home  in  Virginia. 
He  was  unanimously  appointed  by  Congress,  on  tlie  13th  of  June,  to  take  command 
in  the  southern  department. — Sparks. 


ITfiO.] 


THKAHON    OK    AHNOrn. 


101 


lro..|«  li,  1778    JZnl  ■7""m„„„  ,,y  ,l,„  |,ri,i,,, 

nn  ()xt!  icniKT  wlii,.».  i„.,i  I  ,         ^     ^^^  '  """  '"  «"pf'ly 

.-ii...H;iLT;:';::r::r;:;':^::""  "'''•"',': "'"- 

l»r„.r.     AnoUi-r  d„vi,-n  J  „  V      „     "''I'"™'""  ""I  I'"'"'  '!» 
so  ™orm.,,,»  ,.  ,o  .        ",'"""  "'  "••"""if.w.insi  il,„  |„,|,!ie, 

mij,„ : " ;,:':'  ,1'"'  •"™'«'"i™'  i-y .-.  i."ar,i  „;■,,.„,„: 
.■.0  .*>»ruo,-,,.,,™,rr< :  :,:;:nol:;:™:;.;:'  ",r 

Wfifl  short  V  uftorwirrl  hro.,,.*,*  .  "'"wci  looriiiicfi.    Ho 

only  ™p«l  tl„i„^  ea4i„M     v  ?  ,  i"""-™"""'  ■  "'"'  ''" 

pronounce  highly  „,p„h„„,i|,le  by  lI; ,;  • ,'  Xh  ;  "™ 
suhj^tod  .0  .  reprimand  ft„m  ehi^  Comnl^  ;  .T':  'f  ;7''' 
improssion,  however,  was  Mron„.    ,„,,  """""-""-«""=l-    The 

o«.h.  .0  have  i^n'aZZ"L:t::7S"z  r.!'" 

qu.ek  a.  these  ee„,„res  of  the  (W«7  Z  r„„rf      ?    .  u° 

terly  because  oSowlll        .    '"^"^'"^  ''"" '''«  '"^^^^  ^-^t- 

before  him'^Arnold  hid  ainu.  .  '  '"^^'^  '"'"  '^  ^^^'^^ 

Arnold  had  almost  consummated  his  long-medi- 

fo.    So  gre..  WM  her  .xony;  that  the  feJJL ff  W  I  '  ""'*  "''""'""  """•"'  '"""'- 
officer.,  V   .^grctly  «cLf;  her  b^jTCll^'u "«!""•  "^'""'°"'  «"''  "'her 

par/  wh«n  ihe  exhibited  hor  distrew     «!h«  .„     ,1  7      .         ^"^^  """  ""'y  "'""g  » 

ofPen„,,,vani,.„dhaSr:;;ri!doT^^^^^^^ 

had  correspond-jd  with  Major  Andr*  durin.lh^        Philadelphia  ,n  1779.    She 


I'i  ^ 


f 


■i; 


i 

r 


101 


LIKE   OP   nilANT. 


[1780 


tated  treachory,*  whon  the  arrost  of  tho  unfortuimto  AndW;  saved 
not  only  the  citadel  of  tho  uriny,  but  probably  tho  cause  of  tho 
coniitry  itself. 

With  a  seeming  dosire  of  active  service,  Arnold  had  urged 
forward  his  trial,  that,  as  he  protested,  he  might  be  enabled  tho 
earlier  to  take  the  field.  But  in  pursuance,  no  doubt,  of  his 
understanding  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  his  great  anxiety  was  to 
obtain  the  command  of  West  Point.  With  this  view  he  wrote 
to  General  Sclmyler,  who  was  then  in  camp,  as  one  of  a  (Com- 
mittee of  Congress  ;  and  it  is  supposed  that  he  likewise  corrc- 
ppondod  with  Robert  R.  Livingston  upon  the  subject.  At  all 
events,  Mr.  Livingston  opplied  to  General  Washington  for  that 
station  in  behalf  of  Arnold.  The  application  was  successful, 
though  not  immediately.  On  the  first  of  August  Arnold  was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  lefl  wing  'f  the  army.  Com- 
plaining, however,  that  his  wounds  were  j^et  too  painful  to  allow 
him  to  act  with  efficiency  in  the  field,  on  tho  3d  of  the  same 
month  he  was  directed  to  repair  to  West  Point,  and  take  the 
command  of  the  post.t 

It  v.'ould  be  foreign  to  the  main  design  of  the  present  work, 
to  recapitulate  the  history  of  this  memorable  instance  of  the 
blackest  treachery.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that,  after  his  arrest,  the 
conduct  of  Andr^  was  characterised  by  candor,  manliness,  and 
honor.    He  was  tried  by  a  board  of  officers,  and  convicted  on 

in  New- York,  Mrs.  Arnold  stopped  on  the  way  of  tlie  hou*!e  of  Mrs.  ProTost,  ai 
Pnramus,  the  lady  of  a  British  officer,  and  aflerwurd  the  .vit'o  of  Colonel  Burr,  wher- 
she  st.-iyed  one  niglit.  Here  the  frantic  scenes  of  Went  Faint  were  re-enacted  wl. 
there  were  otrangers  present ;  but  as  soon  as  they  wore  alone,  she  became  trnn- 
qiiilised,  and  assured  Mrs.  Provost  that  she  was  heartily  siik  of  the  thcatrius  she 
waR  playing;.  She  stated  tiiatshe  had  corresponded  with  the  British  commander — 
that  si.e  was  i^ijj'usted  with  tho  American  cause,  and  those  who  had  the  manage- 
ment of  it ;  an-  ''■>t  through  great  precaution  and  unceasing  perseverance,  she  had 
ultimately  br<i'nh'  '■  C  -  eral  bfo  the  arrangement  to  surrender  West  Point  to 
the  British,  &^  Ax  '"ir  furtl- .-i  particulars  upon  the  subject,  see  Davis's  Life  of 
Burr,  pp.  219, 'i>'  I  hi  -  ler  in  her  hrhalf  to  General  Washington,  Arnold 
of  course  cntiicly  ••:5«;>!i-^)at»td  his  wife.  lit  (.Hiblic  vengeance,  he  said,  "ought 
alone  to  fall  on  inr:.  Sho  '.?  as  good  and  as  innocent  as  an  angel,  aud  is  incapable 
of  doing  wrong." 

♦  Elightcen  months  before  the  consummation  of  his  trea«on.  General  Arnold  com. 
menced  writing  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  anonymously,  and  from  time  to  time  commu- 
nicated to  him  important  intelligence. — Sparks, 

\  Letter  of  Washington  to  General  Arnold,  August  3, 1780.  See,  also,  note  of 
Sparks  to  the  same,  and  other  antecedent  letters. 


i 


cs 


1780.] 


EXECUTION    OK   ANDRE. 


108 


"W'ough,  i„  n-^ardoAnlM  ■  "'""'"•«   >n<lividu«l.      For, 

rnblo;  vol  hiimnnf,,,        "'°'°*'  "intjuslicc  should  bo  inexo 
victim,  XoTZlZZ     '  """  """  "■"  ""'^  <■»'»  "f  "« 

youthful  stranJr  J  nob ri;^™"  1 '"  "'"  >^''*°'  »"  "Woh  ,ho 

"  fer  death  witl  J^^^  ^t,  ZruTef'^r.?, """  ^"I- 
of  a  gallant  soldier  who  wj,  in  „,.    j  '  '"°  '""""* 

W^imprisonmem;  aid  ,hZo„r^?1'™r'""  "™  "»""« 
".a.  officer,  and  his  de^tnTd™  „i  L",  vt:'?  ™""  '^ 
vening  between  his  arrest  nnrl  n!^     t-        ^  ^  ^'^'^"^^  ^"^^^ 
out  exciting  emotions  of  hiM„  ?'"'■""'  '"""°'  ^  ^^^  ^^'h- 
Happy,  hoLrr  Trhi.  ?       ™'''''""  and  profound  regret.' 

be  shunned  through' life  T;  nH  h     ^'^fl'^^^^P^^'  «'^»sed  him  to 

loathing  and  scori^tfiLl:^^^^^^^^^^^       '"^"—  ^'^i-'  «^ 
able  grave!  •  '^^"^'^  ^^ '"^yone-a  dishonor. 

Re  mming,.'igain,  the  Indian  relations  of  fhn^ 
occr  -I  -ice  to  be  noted  is  a  vi.if  T !i  T  ^'''■^^'  ^'^^  ^"t 

by  the  British  and  Prind  1  r  f -"^'-^  of  Canada 
the  ancient  attachmenTrohirK  rV""''"  '"^P"^^^  ^'^^^ 
the  French  had  nXn  ^1  Tst  T  ^'^  f '"^  ^^^^"^^  '« 
^at  "When  M.  de  Vaudreuil  t^rdere'^T^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^    • 

.n  AidHle-canip  to  the  CommanderZE'  ^.^''■^""'^•'.^"'""i"on.  «t  .hat  time 
picture  gallery  of  Yale  Colleae.  New-Ha  nn  n,  "'  """"" '"  '^^  '"'^»^y  or  the 
"pon  paper,  by  himself.  d.rC his  confinol"  '"  •"■  ^"^"^  A"'"'*'  '^^^''-^d 

wetution.  "        '=<»'finement,  ana  out  a  short  ii.-no  befvi^hh 


i  m 


r:  .1 


IH 


104 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1780 


"  glish,  he  gave  to  the  Indians,  as  tokens  of  recognizance,  a 
"  golden  cracifix  and  a  watch ;  and  it  was  supposed  that  a  re- 
"  newal  of  the  impressions,  which  had  been  in  some  degree  pre- 
"  served  among  tliem  by  these  emblems  of  friendship,  might 
"  have  the  effect  to  detach  them  from  the  influence  of  the  En- 
"  glish,  and  strengthen  their  union  with  the  Americans  and 
"  French."*  That  the  British  oflicers  were  apprehensive  that  an 
influence  adverse  to  the  cause  of  the  King  might  be  awakened 
among  the  Indians  by  the  alliance  of  the  French  with  the  Ame- 
ricans, was  rendered  highly  probable,  from  the  pains  taken  by 
the  former  to  impress  them  with  a  belief  that  no  such  alliance 
had  been  formed.t  Hence  it  wos  judged  expedient  by  General 
Schuyler,  who  was  then  at  Albany,  that  a  delegation  of  the  In- 
dians should  be  sent  to  Rhode  Island,  where  conviction  of  the 
fact  might  be  wrought  upon  their  senses  by  the  substantial  evi- 
dence of  the  fleet  and  army.J  Thirteen  Oneidas  and  Tuscaro- 
ras,  and  five  Caughnawagas,  were  accordingly  despatched  to 
Rhode  Island,  under  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Deane  the  Interpreter. 
They  arrived  at  Newport  on  the  29th  of  August,  and  were  re- 
ceived with  distinguished  marks  of  attention  by  the  French 
commaiiders.  "  Entertainments  and  military  shows  were  pre- 
"  pared  for  them,  and  they  expressed  much  satisfaction  at  what 
"  they  saw  and  heard.  Suitable  presents  were  distributed  among 
"  them ;  and  to  the  chiefs  were  given  medals  representing  the 
"  coronation  of  the  French  King.  When  they  went  away,  a 
"  written  address  was  delivered  to  them,  or  rather  a  kind  of  pro- 
"clamation,  signed  by  Count  Rochambeau,  copies  of  which 
"  were  to  be  distributed  among  the  friendly  Indians."  It  was 
in  the  following  words : — 

"  The  King  of  France,  your  father,  has  not  forgotten  his 
children.  As  a  token  of  remembrance,  I  have  presented  gifts 
to  your  deputies  in  his  name.  He  learned  with  concern,  that 
many  nations,  deceived  by  the  English,  who  were  his  enemies, 
had  attacked  and  lifted  up  the  hatchet  against  his  good  and 
faithful  allies,  the  United  States.  He  has  desired  me  to  tell  you, 
that  he  is  a  firm  and  faithful  friend  to  all  the  friends  of  America, 
ajid  a  decided  enemy  to  all  its  foes.     He  hopes  that  all  his 


*  Sparks. 

i  LatUr  from  Washington  to  Count  dc  Rochambeau. 


}  Idsai. 


1780.  J 

childn 

fiither 

TJie 

than  V 

both  k 

donbtfii 

niovoin 

cienfly 

ii.'uvaga 

which  r 

division 

ceivc'd,  ^ 

IJut  c 

savao-os, 

ofSulliv 

son  to  J( 

stniction 

a  suflicio 

sive  expe 

ject  to  be 

execution 

and  the 

latter  chic 

ing  in  tJie 

The  In 

Tioga  Poi 

dillu,  who 

Avhose  fore 

liis  own  re 

a  detachmi 

one  compa 

*  Note  in  til 
ler  from  the  C( 

t  This  is  til 
Indian  annols, 
with  his  tribe  a 
of  his  parental  i 
the  name  accon 
of  the  eloquent 
destroyed  and  h 

t  Mary  Jeini 
VOL.  11 


t 


1780.] 


INVASION    OF    SCIIOHAUIK. 


105 


JonI„n,l,  however,  whefher  eiuL^Z  o  i  "!.  "'r'  "  '" 
niovemont.     TLe  Oneidas  and  T„f  ""  '^^™"  "'« 

ci-.Hnmo  in  their  Tl  ate  wWuh  Z"  '"'■°  ""''""^  ""^■ 
"■■;»'«S«.  had  made  friend  ^I^  a  cos  "rr'  ''"°  ":""»""- 
wlneh  resulted  i.,  „„,hi„„/  And    rf„°  '™°"''  ''°'°'^' 

divisions  of  the  Six  Nations,  tl  hosU  ttv  ,  7  "'"  ^™"'' 
ecived,  was  not  abated  '^'  '  "''"  "°'"'  1"=  P"' 

^tr,,e,io„of  cZoh  riehr'r  T^^^^    ""  '""  '"™^'""  »"1  0= 

-unicient  retaliC^il  i^rt'S'.::::'""^"'™ 
s.ve  expedition,  Loth  as  to  the  nnmhrmo  h^         ^\      "'  ™"-'"- 

jec.  .0  be  aceo„,p,ished,  was  th^t:  ,?  fafdtr n  f  * 
execution,  under  the  ausnicps  nf  <iir  t  /  " ,  ^  '^"^  ^'^'  "«I  mto 
«..d  the  tatnons  Se,SrrLrf'a'"p;' ■'''"'''' "'""'■ 
inner  chief  was  a  half-bre,.,!  hT  ^  ,       ^     '''^"^'"-^     'J'h's 

<!.»",  where  a  jttnetion  L  fo™ed  tith  S   "  ZV^  """ 
wliose  forces  consisted,  besides  Mol,n„l  =     r  Jolinson, 

W^  own  reginten.  of  oWerst  „neX;;'„  '^^^^^^^      °' 
a  detachment  of  two  hnndred  men  from  Zh  V         '  ^"S""  ^ 

0"eco.p.n,orBneishre,ul.::rrt^:^^^^ 

WUI.  his  tribe  againstGeneral  SullLn     Thl  i     „  '  '^^     "^^  "'"'  '"  ""^  «"''' 

ori.is  parental  name.     It  has  been  wri  ten  aI       n^" .     '^'  "'  '"  "•"  ""''og'^phy 
.l.e  na,no  according  to  ^Iarv  W  n     \"  „  '"  '  "'  "  •",'  '^'^^"-     '^'"' '»«- '» 

of  the  eloquent  K^epor-A wdce   Red  Jacket  h    '  '"■  "  7'."'^"'"™'^'«  P^'O'J-  the  rival 
dc'stroyed  an.l  hi.nself  aupplLL  '   ^  ""'"  '"'  "'""•="^°  "'"  ""^n^atclv 

}  Mary  Juiiison.  c  n.ccj     m.   . 

VOL.11.  J  ^^^S-«f^*«JO^  Thomas  Sammo*, 


.||:i 


r.i 


c:; 


.Hi; 


c: 


o 


'^  -11 


I?  ;    I 


-f'     , 


I&: 


tlil 

"    11  -  ■ 


Si!     I'Ml 


106 


LIFK   OP    lUlANT. 


[1780. 


I  ■ 

I  I 


HI 


■ 


I 


ri 


of  Captain  Richard  Duncan,  tlid  sou  of  nn  opulent  gcnlleni;in 
residing,  previous  to  the  war,  iu  llio  nrighborhood  of  Schenec- 
tady.* The  troops  of  Sir  Jolui  wuro  collected  at  Lachiue,  near 
IVIontreal,  whence  they  ascended  I  ho  St.  Lawrence  to  Lake  On- 
tario and  Oswego.  From  this  poiul  tiiey  crossed  the  country  to 
the  Susqueluanna,  wiiero  tJKiy  were  joined  by  the  Indians  and 
Tories  from  Tioga.  Sir  Johu  liad  with  liimtwo  small  mortars, 
and  a  brass  three-pounder,  callc^d  a  grasshopper,  from  the  cir- 
cumstance of  its  being  niountod  upon  iron  legs  instead  of  wheels. 
These  pieces  of  ordnance  were  transported  through  the  woods 
upon  pack-horses.  Every  soldier,  luid  every  Indian,  was  pro- 
vided with  eighty  rounds  of  cartridges.! 

The  Indians  never  breathed  more  liercely  for  vengeance  than 
at  this  time,  and  they  wont  Ibrlh  uiKin  tlie  war-patli  with  a  de- 
termination that  nothing  should  iuipede  their  march  or  prevent 
their  depredations. t  Their  niiuibors  have  been  variously  esti- 
mated at  from  eight  hundred  to  11  (loon  Inindred  and  fifty — aTi  de- 
scriptions of  troops  included.  Tito  latter  estimate  is  probably  the 
nearest  to  the  truth,  judging  from  the  results  of  the  campaign. 

Their  course  was  by  their  old  route,  along  the  Charlotte 
river,  (sometimes  called  the  eastern  branch  of  the  Susquehanna,) 
to  its  source,  and  thence  across  to  the  head  of  the  Scho- 
harie-kill,  for  the  purpose  of  making  thorough  work  in  the  de- 
struction of  the  continuous  chain  of  settlements  througli  that 
beautiful  valley  to  its  junction  with  the  Mohawk.  The  enemy 
had  designed  to  keep  the  moveniant  a  profound  secret,  until  pro- 
claimed lay  his  actual  presence.  Two  of  the  Oneidas,  in  their  ser- 
vice, having  deserted,  frustrated  that  design  by  giving  information 
of  their  approach  to  the  settlements, 5  Whether  from  weariness  of 
continual  alarms,  or  from  ignorauco  or  doubt  as  to  the  quarter 
where  the  blow  was  to  bo  struck,  or  from  criminal  negligence, 
cannot  be  told  ;  but  it  is  certain  that  the  surprise  was  as  com- 
plete as  the  success  of  the  campaign  was  discreditable  to  those 
who  did  not  prevent  it. 

The  plan  of  Sir  John  and  Captain  Brant  was  to  enter  the 
valley  by  night,  pass,  if  possibl(>,  dio  upper  fort  unobserved,  and 
then,  by  silently  destroying  tho  intervening  settlements,  attack 

*  Gileg  F.  Yates,  Esq.  f  Major  Sammons. 

J  Mary  Jemison,  who  seems  to  liuvo  liimii  pranfliit  at  tlie  gathering, 
o  Lefter  of  General  Haldimand  to  Tiord  Ororge  Germaine. 


1780.] 


INVASION    OP    SCIIOHAUIK. 


107 
the  nxiddle  iovt,  at  Middleburgh,  early  in  tlu,  niorui^o-     Thi^ 

"p    ;  success^  .^1^^^  *"  "'^'  f""  ""f^---"!.  'v- 

at  once  beat  to  arms,  and  Major  Woolsey  requested  foZ  1 
toers  to  sally  forth  and  discover  the  cans'  oH  ^  alt^  tZ 
man  on  duty  promptly  responded  to  the  invitation,  a  "d  the  com 
plement  was  therenpon  counted  off  from  the  rio-M  -ZT  .      I 
;n  eh.       of  Lieutenant  Spencer.     Th^  ^^^1^:^^ 
with  alacnty  uz  the  direction  of  the  burning  buildings  'm 
they  suddenly  encountered  the  enemy's  advance.     T    ^     o 
.ere  exchanged,  when  Spencer  retreated,  and  bronoj  t  his  d 
tacluTient  back  mto  the  fort  withotU,  the  loi  of  a  ma    I     At  thL" 
moment  the  concerted  signal  of  three  guns  from  the  1  ppt  fo 

evKknt  that  the  enemy  had  passed  that  fortress  without  molestim 
It.  A  proper  degree  of  vigilance,  however,  ouo-l,t  cert  Jn  Mn"  ^ 
enabled  thesentinelsofthatgardsontoobW;^)^^^ 
mvadu^g  army,  mstead  of  merely  catching  a  glimpse  ot  s  et 
The  moment  the  enemy  had  thus  been  discovered  from  .nd  Zl' 
concealment  of  his  approach  being  no  longer  pot  bleUw' 
w..  indiscriminately  applied  to  such  houst  andtrns  "t 
m  h.  way.    The  season  had  been  bountiful,  the  rTh  allS 

;  ,^W  TT'  """^'"''P  «™'''-  '"  "'«  -'"'or'.s  possession. 

cold )•  :!^z:  n:::^tL^''"^  vn '- ''- "--  °^ ''-^- »« -on. 

cot  h,  the  ridicule  ofVlvirre,  I  :'„.";  '"  "^  !"""'  •"'"  ^'^^"  '^"•-" 
t  MS.  statement  of  Piiilip  Graft. 


c> 


jk'i 


*••"••      if  n 


J     '. 


'i;'' 


108 


MFli    OK    lUlANT. 


[1780. 


bottoms  of  the  Schohario-kill  producing  an  nni  snully  !il)iiii(lant 
liarvest  that  yoar.  'I'iie  hams  wcro  ihorcloro  well  stored  with 
lh(3  earlier  grains,  while  tlie  liolds  were  yet  heavily  burdened 
with  tlic  uutntiuial  crops.  Unt  the  husbandniou  iu  the  neigh- 
boriiood,  or  those  lodging  for  greater  security  iu  the  little  apology 
for  a  fortress,  looked  abroad  at  sunrise  to  behold  the  produce 
of  their  industry  m  Ihunes. 

Soon  at^er  sunrise  tlie  main  forces  of  the  onoiny  had  arrived, 
and  the  fort  was  completely  invested.  A  column  of  troo))s,  wilii 
the  pieces  of  light  artillery  heretofore  mentioned,  passed  roimd  the 
north-east  side  of  the  fort,  and  planted  their  guns  upon  an  emi- 
nence comijiianding  the  American  works.  An  ollicer  with  a  llag 
was  now  despatciied  toward  the  garrison,  and  from  the  moment 
lie  was  seen,  an  order  was  given  to  cease  liring.  All  was  silent 
until  he  had  ai^proached  to  within  the  distance  of  fair  rifle  shot, 
when  the  reader's  old  acciuaintance,  ]\Inrphy,  recently  of  Mor- 
gan's rilie  corps,  but  now  making  w.ar  on  his  own  responsibility, 
expressed  a  determination  to  shoot  down  the  oflicer  by  whom  the 
flag  vriis  borne.  He  was  instantly  ordered  by  the  officers  of  the 
regular  troops  to  forbear.  But  the  militia  irregulars  encouraged 
him  to  persist  in  his  mutinous  determination.  He  did  so  ;  but 
for  once  his  rifle  wius  untrue,  and  tlie  flag-officer  immediately 
fliced  about  and  retired  to  his  own  ranks. 

Sir  John  thereupon  opened  his  artillery  upon  the  fort,  while 
the  Indians  and  rangers  kept  up  a  brisk  fire  of  musketry— both 
without  much  ellect.  The  enemy's  field-pieces  were  probably 
of  too  small  calibre  for  the  distance,  and  the  shells  were  thrown 
with  so  little  skill,  for  the  most  part,  as  either  to  fall  short,  or  tly 
over  the  works,  or  to  explode  in  the  air.  Two  shells,  however, 
fell  upon  the  roof  of  the  house  witlnn  the  fort,  one  of  which  was 
preci{)itated  down  into  a  room  occupied  by  two  sick  women. 
It  sanlc  into  a  feather  bed,  and  exploded— but  without  inflicting 
farther,  injury.  Fire  was  communicated  to  the  roof  of  tlnj 
building  by  the  other  shell,  and  was  extinguished  with  a 
single  pail  of  water  carried  up  and  applied  by  Philip  Graft. 
Unfortunately  the  garrison  was  unable  to  return  the  tire  with 
spirit,  for  the  want  of  powder.  The  regular  troops  had  only  a 
lew  rounds  each,  and  the  militia  were  but  little  better  provided 
in  that  respect.  Messengers  had  been  despatched  to  Albany  on 
the  preceding  day  for  animuuition,  and  also  for  reinibrcementis ; 


1780.] 

but  nei 

proj)ar( 

litiitioii 

his  fhio 

Sir  Joii 

pecting 

that  cin 

It  wa 

the  whc 

upon  th 

der  anoi 

was  one 

stood  a 

several  i 

littie  ban 

tlic  cnei 

Spencer 

of  his  m( 

In  the 

toward  t! 

shoot  dow 

rifle.    Mi 

tia  again  ] 

drew  iiis 

he  persist( 

denco  in  t 

surrender 

fate  would 

approache( 

and  the  I'k 

John.*     ^^ 

against  su 

War,  the  m: 

who  paid  n 

miglit  obsei 

siegers  won 

conductinl 

and  murde 


irso.] 


INVASION   OP    SCnoiIARIK. 


109 


;  d  r':trin;:T'-''  ™  "••■■'  "■=  ^-t ..,  ,„„  „. 

aor.,.o.„„,  ra™.„„„..  j,a  b,r„  3  '';::■ '■;,',  ""■ 

was  o,.o  l,-,r.;e  1mm,  ,,i,„,,,.xl  „c„r  ,},e  for   3  ,      "™ 

■stood  ..clrcloof.„,.,cfe„f  „,,c,.      TLthn       """'"<'"''"='' 
several  ti,„«  „,  fire  b„l  Lin,  %  ""=«  "  ".'■'"■.nv  ulten.picd 

Spenco.. ™  fired  >,F0„.ri..,i„  .,.,,„„.   .::'':,;;:- 

.ot:f  u,:z:;L?L,';;rs «,:"":'  "-'^^ "-'--«' 

mie.     Maj  ,r  Woolscy  and  the  officers  interposed    bnf  thr       7 

l.e  P.rsi.,ed,  ye,  .„e  rifleman  coo  ly  „U  d  .h^fh'et '"""«'''' 
donee  i„  ,„e  eom™„di„„.  officer,  wh:tt  e^e^' ^  ^^i"?- 
^rrender  , he  for, ;  ,ha,.  if  ,,,l,en,  he  knew  we  ,1,7  'In 

jr-^^ro=rri;~^^^ 

.-.gain,,,  s„oh  a  barl,„ro„s  vio,a.ion  "f  e  „sZ^  oTClf 
-.r.,ho  ,„i,i,i„.„,r,ier.  replied  .ha,  .hey  wXit';"  ,!'* 
who  pa,d  no  regard  ,o  sueh  usages ;  „„d,  howev  ^7  „v  Ih™ 
m.g:,.  observe  .he  n.les  of  war  and  of  e.iqn'e.te  therseteT  .l,e  J 
.egers  wo„ld  he  .he  las,  men  ,o  exhibit  a  eorrespoSri  X^; 
cod„e„„,heevem„f,hcir=ueeess.  The wailings ofdm ,  rf 
»nd  murdered  toulie.  wi.hou.  .he  for.,  and  ,he  coCi^f 

♦  Statement  of  Philip  Graft. 


i; 


'  m . 


■if  i» 


\i 


m. 


'II; 


ifl 


i* 


H'^ 


110 


LTFK    OP    riRANT. 


[1780. 


finoke  and  fUuno  then  ascoiiding  to  tlio  hoavcns,  aflTdidcd  a.in[)l« 
tcvsliinony  oftho  truth  ol'tlusir  position,  "  Tho  sava<fes,  and  tlicir 
"companions,  tlie  'rorics,  still  more  sava<r(!  tlian  tii(^y,  liad 
•'shown  no  respect  to  age,  sex,  or  condition ;  and  it  was  not 
"without  force  that  the  (lucstiou  was  r(!pi!ated,  are  we  Ijound  to 
"exercise  a  ibrhcarance  totally  unrecijjrocated  by  tlii;  eniMuy  7"' 
••  liesides,"  it  was  added,  "  let  us  show  that  we  will  neitlujr  taiiJ 
"  nor  give  (piarters ;  and  the  enemy,  discovering  our  desperation, 
"will  most  likely  withdraw."* 

The  desultory  battle  wtus  again  renewed— smtiU  parties  of  thi^ 
garrison  occasionally  watching  opportunities  to  sally  ibrth  and 
do  what  niischiet  they  could  to  the  enemy,  retreating  within 
the  gates  agiiin  when  likely  to  be  borne  down  by  superior  num- 
bers.    Sir  Jolm,  percoivmg  at  length  that  neither  shot  nor  shells 
made  any  impression  upon  the  garrison,  formed  his  disciplined 
troops  under  shelter  of  a  small  building  more  immediately  in 
the  neighborhood  ol  the  fort,  and  prepared  for  an  attempt  to 
carry  it  by  assault.     A  flag  again  approached,  and  Murphy 
brought  up  his  rille  to  fire  upon  it  the  tliird  time.     He  was  ad- 
monished, as  before,  to  desist,  and  an  ctlbrt  was  made  to  arn^st 
him.     But  he  was  a  universal  favorite,  and  the  soldiers  woidd 
not  allow  the  procedure.     A  white  Hag  was  then  ordered  to 
be  raised  from  the  fort,  but  Blurphy  threatened  instant  death  to 
any  one  who  obeyed  the  direction  j  and  as  the  enemy's  flag 
continued  to  approach,  he  was  again  preparing  his  piece,  wIkmi 
an  officer  once  more  interposed.     Captain  Reghtmeyer,  of  the 
militia,  standing  by  tlie  side  of  Murphy,  gave  him  the  ordef  to 
fire.  The  continental  officer  made  a  demonstration  toward  Reght- 
meyer, by  attempting  to  draw  lis  sword;  but  immediately  de- 
sisted as  the  latter  clubbed  his  fusee,  and  gave  an  impressive 
motion  with  its  breech,  of  an  import  not  to  be  misunderstood  ; 
whereupon  the  Major  stepped  back,  and  there  the  rr-tter  ended.t 
The  officer  bearing  the  flag,  having  been  thus  a  third  time  re- 
pulsed. Sir  John  convened  a  council  of  wjir,  and  after  a  brief 
consultation,  abandoned  the  siege,  and  proceeded  on  his  Vandal 
march  down  the  valley.     The  reason  of  this  hasty  change  of 
purpose  has  never  been  known.    Some  have  asserted  that  a 
pretended  loyalist  gave  the  Baronet  an  exaggerated  account  ol 


•  TIte  SexBgennry. 


t  Ibid. 


1780.J 


INVASION   OP   SCHOUARIK. 


in 


ho  strcngtli  of  I,e  garrison  and  its  means  of  resistance- 
O  .crs  mve  sa.d  that  rnn.ors  of  approaclnng  rein  br^^ 
induced  hnn  to  luusten  forward,  lest  liis  projected  ,.•  n-h  T 

H,mlc°/";'H,''°'''lr  """*'■'  "™  '"I"''  '"  'l--lircc,io„of  Port 
Hunlcr,  ,it  tlie  conlluuicc  of  llic  Scholi.u  i,-kil|  „-itl,  r]„.  M„l.     i 

produce  of  every  airricultural  description.!    On  arrivino-  i,,  T, 
jrcnnty  of  the  Lower  Fort  at  Old  Scl  ohari ,  .Sn  I  hn  J  v^d   , 

0  the  left  of  the  fort,  while  the  Indians  skirted  the  meadow^ 

siac  ol  the  fort,  they  made  a  stand  for  a  hrief  sn-ifo  nf  ti, 
an    a  few  shots  were  uUerehanged.     Some  s^^^.!^  '^^ 
'ng  been   stationed   in   the  tower   of  the  churri/  n 
-ought  one  of  their  tield-pieces  to  belr  Ifpon     "  1   inrS 

:2"z^^''f\r'''r'''  --^-'  andaiis;:^^ 

grape  honi  the  fort  drove  the  mvaders  back,:  whereuDo.j  thoir 
march  was  resumed  and  continued  to  Fort  Hunter    at  vi.h 
place  they  arrived  in  the  night  without  interrn  t    .'      n^t 
course  the  whole  valley  was  laid  in  ruins.     The  hottts  td     ' 
-ns  were  burnt,  the  horses  and  cattle  kdled  om  k  T   tnd 

iv  V     t/     f'fr"''  r'  '''''"  '^*"^'^  °^  -^"•'^J  '"to  cap. 

1  ^'  ,  -„  .  .'''"''^'"^^'  '"^'^^^^  ^y  'he  Indians  and  Tories  fo 
i>elong  to  a  ^^Ing,  was  saved.  Sir  John  had  ordered  lis  f  ^ces 
to  spare  the  church  at  the  upper  Fort,  but  his  mandat  t.  dt 
obeyed,  and  the  structure  wa«  laid  in  ashes.     The  lou  i  «. 

struction  of  their  own  habitations,  the  Whigs  soon  caused  these 

*  Campbell. 

thousand  l,usl,e!s  ToTn-ful  ofw"r  t"""'  ""''''  '"^^  '"'-'''^''^'"^  ^'s^-^y 
A-«r.  7,  1780.  "  ""^  ""^  >^w/««s«m  to  Ike  President  of  C^^»i 

\  Campbell's  Annals. 


,* 


,'{  (■■■  :: 


I 

V* 

c" 

:) 

pm<  ' 

'1 

!• 

:i 

^  ■ 

,# 

.*•■' 

I'M 


111 


112 


LIKK  OP  bhant. 


[1780. 


to  be  numbered  in  the  common  lot.*  Thns  was  tlie  wholu 
valley  of  the  Schohario-lvill  made  desoi;itc. 

The  loss  of  the  Ainericaas  at  the  forts  was  very  trifling. 
Only  two  were  killed,  and  one  wounded,  at  the  middle  Fort,  and 
none  at  the  lower.  But  of  the  unprotected  inhabitants,  num- 
bers— according  to  some  accounts,  one  hundred — were  killctl. 
There  were  some  individual  occurrences  during  tiie  day,  more- 
over, which  are  worthy  of  being  specially  noted.  It  happened 
early  in  the  morning,  that  John  Vrooman  and  two  of  his  neighbors 
were  upon  a  scout  in  the  woods,  about  eight  miles  from  the  ibrt, 
when  they  discovered  an  hidijm.  Vrooman  tired,  and  the  Indian 
lell.  At  the,same  instant  another  Indian  was  discovered  through 
the  bushes,  who  was  also  brought  down  by  one  of  Vrooman's 
companions.  A  third  savage  was  now  seen  ;  but  as  Vrooman's 
third  companion  hesitated  about  firing,  Vrooman  himself  snatch- 
ed his  rifle  from  him,  and  brought  that  warrior  also  to  the 
srround.  At  the  same  instant—  for  it  was  all  the  work  of  a 
moment — up  rose  from  the  ground  a  group  of  Indians  and  Tories, 
who  set  upon  them  with  a  terrible  yell.  Vrooman  and  his  com- 
panions fled  in  different  directions  at  the  top  of  their  speed,  and 
succeeded,  by  reason  of  their  wind  and  bottom,  and  their  zigzag 
flights,  in  making  their  escape.  It  was  noon  when  the  former 
reached  his  own  home, — only  to  behold  his  house  in  flames. 
His  wife  and  her  mother  were  made  captives  by  an  Indian 
named  Seth  Hendrick,  who  had  formerly  resided  in  Schoharie  ; 
but  they  were  released  and  sent  back  on  the  following  day,  by 
Captain  Brant,  together  with  a  letter,  written  upon  birch  bark, 
explaining  his  reasons  for  allowing  flieir  return.  |- 

One  of  the  farmers,  on  that  day,  while  engaged  with  his  boys 
m  unloading  a  wagon  of  grain  at  the  barn,  hearing  a  shrielc, 
looked  about,  and  saw  a  party  of  Indians  and  Tories  between 

*  TliR  Indians  spared  oiio  hniisn,  from  the  consideration  that  it  liad  formerly 
oeen  occupied  at  one  of  thrir  treaties. 

^  The  Sexasenary.  The  Vrnomans  were  an  extensive  family  in  the  Schoharie 
Bettlemenia,  and  were  severe  suflbrcrs.  In  the  last  preceding  chapter  hut  one,  the 
boastinos  of  Becrafi,  wiio  had  murdered  one  entire  family  of  that  name,  have  been 
noted.  During  the  present  expedition,  the  following  persons,  amonii  others,  were 
murdered,  viz  : — Tunis  Vrooman,  his  wife  and  son  ;  whileat  the  same  time  Ephraim 
Vrooman  and  his  two  sons,  Bartholom'W  and  .Tnsia?,  John  Vrooman,  Martin  Vroo- 
man, r>artholo!ni'W  Vrooinan,  .Inn.,  Simon  Vrooman,  hi?)  wifwind  his  son  .Tacob, 
were  taken  prisoners  and  carried  to  Canada.— (?i7f»  F.  Yules> 


1780.] 


INVASION   OF   SCHOHAniE. 


113 


umsolf  and  the  house.     "The  enemy,  my  boys!"  .said  the 
athor,  and  .sprang  from  the  wagon,  but  in  attempt.ng  to  lelp  t  e 
once,  a  ntle  ba  1  brought  bin.  dead  upon  the  spo^t.   ^'h    1^ 
md  proceeded  from  his  w.fe,  who,  in  eon.ing  from  the  4  d^ 
had  discovered  the  savages,  and  screan.ed  to  give  11  e^Jarm' 
^he  was  struek  down  by  atomahawk.     Pier  little  son    iveyeaTs' 
Id,  who  had  been  playing  about  the  wagon,  ran  up  to  hi  mT 
ther  in  an  agony  of  grief,  as  she  lay  weltJring  in  b  o  "  Td 
was  l..oeked  on  the  head,  and  left  dead  by  the  sil  of  his  .4    t 
lie  two  other  boys  were  earned  away  into  Canada  and  d  d 
not  return  until  after  the  war.*  ' 

fnru^'' /''"'i^  "^  ^P'"'"™  ^'°"'^''^"  ^^^  ^^'<>  particularly  un 
fo    n,ate.    He  was  at  work  in  the  field  when  he  first  discovered 
a  stragghng  party  of  the  enemy  approacJnng.     He  startedTfuli 
speed  for  his  house,  in  order  to  obtain  Ihs  annsndt^^ 
hfe  as  dearly  03  possible.     But  in  climbing  a  fence  he  was  ^iz  d 
and  taken  pn.soner.    His  wife,  in  endeavoring  to  e^;    bv 

bf  r ''?' ,'"'  '"'"^ ''''  ''y^'-  ^^  ^^'-  f«">  '-  it  ll 

aughter,  aged  eleven  years,  ran  up.  and  cast  hersel    dow    by 
the  s,de  0    her  dymg  parent,  a.  clinging  to  her  for  protec  torf 
when  an  Indian  came  up,  and  addedto  the  agony  of  The  S 
and  the  cnmes  of  the  day,  by  crushing  her  it^ad  with  a  ston  ' 
There  wa.s  an  aged  man  in  the  middle  Fort,  who  performed 
a  bold  exploit     He  w..  the  owner  of  a  mill  about  two  n^s 
distant,  at  which  his  son  had  passed  the  night.     KuoZXat 
some  one  or  more  of  the  enemy's  plundering  parties  Zdd  t 
snredly  visit  the  mill,  at  the  instant  Lieutenan  Spencer's  \rZ 
encountered  Sir  John's  advance  g^iard  in  tlie  mo^i^rthe  2 

TllV'l  ^T"''"''^:     "^P'^'-"''"  Vroo-nan  liimseir  was  carried  nuav  l.v  SwI, 
Hen.lnck,  who  treated  him  with  m„ch  kindne.s  hy  the  wnv     tLT"       , 
three  other  Indians  in  the  immediate  parlv  with  Soth      tLp  h  r        "'       "  "I 
at^>eir^p,a.  of  domination.  ,rew  .ireLr  their  pSl,!;::;;;^:  t^^^^^ 
him.     Mr.  Vrooman  overheard  the  conversation,  which  was  conducted  in  a  wh  inl 
and  repealrd  it  to  FIcndrick.     Hendrick  assured  l,im  in  ,h„        ?  ^    ' 

«h»t .  not  a  hair  of  his  head  should  be  touch  d' and  21  .  P"  •""'  """""' 

reprimand  for  their  nngenerous  Irpi  a  ^v^^Af  e^t^rTe.^:::;;^^^"-  -'- 
t-onary  contest,  Hendrick  paid  Mr.  vLman  ,  visit.tdTo,:  ^d  L  tr: 
tZZ       "":,'  '"^^•™""  "-"Phorical  langnageof  his  natio^.     The  ,  mahawk 
d  he,  ,s  used  only  m  war ;  in  time  of  peace  H  is  huriod-it  cnts  down  Z    ,  .rdJ 


t  The  Sexa 


cnarv. 


« 

C) 

n 

fH>  It 

""  ;» 
'"    1 


^ 

I 

Wl  < 

c> 

*fP 

'I ) 

i 

.  '"l 

...»  • 

..,1  i^ii ., 

I 


1 


•\l 


114 


LIFE    OP    BUANT. 


[1780. 


m;ui  sallied  out  and  hastened  to  the  rescue  of  his  son.  Mount- 
uv^  a.u'.h  a  horso  to  return  to  the  fort,  they  found  it  already  in- 
vested by  the  enemy  on  their  arrival.  Nothing  daunted,  however, 
thoy  passed  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy  at  full  speed, 
dasli;;d  up  to  the  rear  of  the  Port,  and  wore  received  in  safety.* 

There  was  another  incident  transpiring  at  the  fort,  which 
stands  in  hanpy  contrast  with  the  conduct  of  the  comniunding 
major.  Tlie  temales  within  the  tbrtress  are  said  to  have  dis- 
played a  djgiee  of  lieroism  worthy  of  commendation  and  of 
all  praise.  Being  well  provided  with  arms,  they  were  deter- 
mined to  use  them  in  case  of  an  attempt  to  carry  the  works  by 
storm.  One  of  them,  an  intoresting  young  woman,  whose  name 
yet  lives  in  story  among  her  own  mountains,  perceiving,  as  she 
thought,  symptoms  of  fear  in  a  soldier  who  had  been  ordered  to 
a  well  without  the  works,  and  within  range  of  the  enemy's  fi.-c, 
for  water,  snatched  the  bucket  from  liis  hands,  and  ran  forth  Un- 
it herself.  Without  changing  color,  or  giving  the  slightest 
evidence  of  fear,  she  drew  and  brought  bucket  after  bucket  to 
the  thirsty  soldiers,  and  providentially  escaped  without  in- 
jury.! 

Sir  John  remained  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Hunter  on 
the  17th,  continuing  the  work  of  destruction  in  every  possible 
direction.  On  the  evening  of  that  day  Captain  Duncan  crossed 
the  river  with  three  companies  of  the  Greens  and  some  Indians. 
On  the  morning  of  the  18th,  all  that  had  been  left  standing  of 
Caughnawaga  at  the  time  of  the  irruption  of  Sir  John  in  the 
preceding  Spring,  and  all  that  had  been  rebuilt,  was  ruthlessly 
destroyed  by  fire.  A  simultaneous  and  most  desolating  march  up 
the  river  was  then  commenced  by  Sir  John  and  the  main  body 
of  his  forces  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  by  Captain 
Duncan's  division  on  the  north.  As  at  Schoharie,  the  march  of 
both  was  one  of  entire  devastation.  Rapine  and  plunder  were 
(he  order  of  the  day,  and  both  shores  of  the  Mohawk  were 
Ughted  up  by  the  confljigration  of  every  thing  combustible ;  while 
the  panic-stricken  inhabitants  only  escaped  slaughter  or  captivity 
by  flight — they  knew  not  whither.t  Conspicuous  among  the 
sutTerers  was  Major  Jelles  Fonda,  a  faithful  and  confidential 
officer  under  the  father  of  Sir  John ;  but  who,  having  turned  his 


The  Sexagenary. 


I  Idem. 


*  MSS.  of  Major  Thomas  Sammons. 


I 


1780.] 


INVASION   OP   THE    MOHAWK    VALLKY. 


110 


(>Hclc  upon  the   royal  cause,  was  singled  out  ns  a  special  and 
y>n\   nmrlc  of  vengoancc.     His  nmnsion  at  "  The  Nose  "  in 
"•  ^o^Vi.  of  Palatine,  w,.  destroyed,  together  with  properly  to 
t^u,  a.uo,nU  oi  s.xty  thousand  dollars.     The  Major  was  InnLlf 
'l>M  M  .      II,,  wdo  escaped  under  die  em-tain  of  a  thiek  -o.r,  and 
'".•ide  her  way  on  foot,   twenty-six  .niles,  to  Seheneetady.l     «ir 
•lol".  encamped  with   his  /brces  on  the  night  of  the  ISth  nearlv 
opposite,  or  raUier  ahove  the  N'ose.     O.i  the  (ollowii.g  niOLune 
Iio  crossed  the  river  to  the  nortli  side,   at  Keder's  Rifts      I'l.t 
gn-eater  part  of  the  motley  army  continued  its  progress  directly 
up  the  nver  layn.g  waste  the  country  as  before.     A  detacJiment 
01   oneinmdred  and  hfty  men  was,  however,  dispatched  from 
Keder.  Rdts  agamst  the  small  stockade  called  Fort  Paris,  in 
Stone  Arabia,  some  two  or  Jiree  miles  back  from  the  river,  north 
of  Palatme.     But,  r.fce.  marching  about  two  miles,  the  n.ain  body 
also  whee  ed  off  to  the  right,  to  assist  in  attacking  the  fort.    The 
work  of  devastation  was  continued  also  in  this  direction,  as  at 
other  places.  ' 

The  small  fort  just  mentioned  was  at  this  time  in  command 
01  Coionel  Brown,  with  a  garrison  of  one  hundred  and  thir'y 
men.    An  unfortunate  occurrence  induced  him  to   leave  liis 
defences,  and  resulted  in  his  discomfiture  and  fiill.    The  circimi 
stances  were  these:-the  moment  tidings  that  Sir  John  had 
broken  into  the  settlements  of  the  Schoharie  reached  Albany 
General  Robert  Van  Rensselaer,  of  Chivsrack,  at  the  head  of  the 
Uaverack,  Albany,  and    Schenectady  militia,  pushed  on  by 
^rced  marches  to  encounter  him,  accompanied  by  Governor 
Cluiton.    Havmgarrived  at  Caughnawagaon  the  is'th,  and  hav- 
ing likewise  ascertained  that  Fort  Paris  was  to  be  assaulted  on  the 
morning  of  the  19th,  Van  Rensselaer  dispatched  orders  to  Colo- 
nel Brown  to  march  out  and  check  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
while  at  the  same  time  he  would  be  ready  to  fall  upon  his  rear 
Brown,  fiiithful  to  the  hour  designated,  sallied  forth,  and  ^aye 
on-  John  battle  near  the  site  of  a  former  work,  called  Fort  Key 
scr.     But  General  Van  Rensselaer's  advance  had  been  impeded 
so  that  no  diversion  was  created   in  Brown's  favor;  and  his 
forces  were  too  feeble  to  withstand  the  enemy,  or  even  to  check 
lu:5  progress.     Colonel  Prown  tell  gallantly  at  the  head  of  his 


In  the  Stale  Hcnatc,  llie  1 


t  Antiqiiariani  Rcseardic?,  hy  Giles  P.  Yatc 


egislature  being  tlien  in  Session  at  Po 


ighkcep 


sie. 


o 


c-J 


4  ilS.i 


'i 


^'Wm 


;>• 


\u\ 


I, IKK    OF    mi  A  NT. 


irHo 


lilllo  division,  of  whit'Ii  fVom  I'oiiy  lo  lorty  (Ivc  wore  n\m  nIiijii. 
Till'  hMimiiulcr  oChis  Iroiips  Noiitilil  snii'ly  m  tliillit. 

<'i>loiii'l  Urowii.  who  (i'll  on  (Ins  oitiisiom,  was  n  moMI*'!' of 
jjfn'.il  i'oini»mv  iiMil  ln|rli  nionil  worth.  Ho  was  j<iiily  in  Ihn  j^or* 
\  U'l',  anti  was  cnuasi"'"!  ni  tlu'  niciiioralilc  and  nllnnalily  diwuN- 
(lons  «'ani|tf0^n  ni  ranada.  NMiili' llif  Anifiiraii  army  was  at 
Soicl,  lir  diMcilfd.  or  hi<lii'vi'd  he  di'li-cd-d,  a  di'sij^n  on  (iu'  part 
ol  Ucni'ial  Arnold  (lu'n  to  play  llio  irailor.  Arnold  was  aliont 
luakini*-  a  njyNlorioiiN  nijflil  niovcnionl  ol'dio  (Ktlillu  of  liijlil  \vh- 
sols  iM'loniini^j'  lo  (ho  AnuTioans,  thon  willi  llio  army  m  llio  Si. 
I  .awioni'o.  whit'h  ( 'olonol  I'.asitin.  snspoclmu;  all  wa.s  not  iiw:hl, 
picviMiliMl  hnl  iiol  nnlil  ho  had  onlorod  two  or  [Uwv  pioi-cs  ul 
ordiianro  to  hoar  npon  llu>  vcsnoIs,  Ihi-oaloniny;  to  liro  tipon  Ihoni 
It"  thoy  procoi'ditl.  Tho  oonviclion  n|H>n  tho  minds  ol'  llasloii 
.".nd  Hrown  was,  iliat  u  was  iho  pnrposo  o\'  Arnold  lo  rnn  t>ll 
wuh  tho  lloidla,  a)\d  s(<ll  oiu  to  Sii  (jny  Carlolon. 

Al^or  tht>  closo  ol"  (ho  Canadian  oampaiirn,  dnnnjf  Iho  wilitor 
ol"  l77(>-*7,  whilo  AnioUl  and  many  o(  (ho  olliccrs  wore  cpiar- 
(ortnl  in  Alhany,  somo  dillionlty  ooonrrod  hotwoon  Hrown  and 
tho  t'onnor,  whioh  rosnlicd  in  dl  II>olini>-  Iwlwoi-n  them.  Arnold 
was  at  Iho  lioiul  of  a  moss  ol'sixloon  or  oij^hloon  »)iru'ors,  ainony; 
whom  was  folonol  Aloroiin  l,owis.  ( 'olonol  Mrown,  havinvj; 
Mvak  OWN,  and  IxMHif  tthliiiiil  to  livo  ahstomionsly,  ooonpiod 
•juarloi-s  adonlini*'  ijroal«T  roliromont.  In  oonscipu-p  •  >  of  Ihn 
misnndoi-staiuhnii'  roforrod  l(>,  Colonial  Hrown  pnhlislicd  a  hand- 
hill.  attaoKinu;  Arnold  with  sxroal  scn-orily  ;  rohoarsinii;  Iho  snspi- 
oionsciriMimstaticos  (hat  had  oconrrod  at  iSorol ;  and  nphraiding 
hinj  for  Siiokina;  tlio  oily  of  iMonlroal  whilo  ho  Wius  in  Iho  (Ktu- 
jvmoy  of  that  plaoo.  'VUo  hiindhill  oonohidod  with  thoso  ro- 
juaikahlo  wonls :  -"  IMonkv  is  this  man's  (.Jon,  ano  to  uet 

r.NOlUJH  OP  IT,  IIK  WOl'I.n  SACIllKirK  HIS  COUNTllY." 

Suoli  a  pnhlioatiiMi  oonld  not  h\it  prothico  a  jjrcat  scMisation 
amoncf  tho  olfioors.  It  was  nvoivod  nt  Arnold's  (jnarlors  while 
tho  mess  woi-o  at  dintior.  .-xnd  road  alond  at  tho  tahlc — the  ac- 
onst^l  himsolf  siiiins;  at  Iho  hoad.  Arnold,  of  courso,  was  groatly 
exoittxi  and  appliod  a  varioty  of  epithets,  coarse  and  harsh,  to  Co- 
lonel Hrown,  prononncinsj  liim  a  scoundrel,  ami  doclariiiir  that  lie 
would  kick  him  whort^six?ver  and  whensoever  heshonld  meet  him. 
("»ne  of  the  ollicers  jire^ent  remarked  to  the  CJeneral,  that  (^>lo- 
imA  Hrown  was  Ins  friend  ;  and  tliat,  j»s  tite  remarks  just  upplied 


17H(I.| 


»ii;M/»iiKAMr.i;  ani;(!|m»ti..  ,„,.  Aiiivoi.fi. 


nr 


»'»  llini  Im.l  |„.,.M  NO  pill.lirly  „„m|,.,  Im.  |,m  Mi„nr,|  flM,-..  r.M,|,|  |,n 
""  '••'l"Hln„  ,„  |„H  rr|M.all,IM  t|..>|,l  In  llml  olli.rr.  AllM.I.I  i<.. 
I'l'-'.  •••TfMlMly   nnl  ;    .uMurr.  ,|„„    |,„  ,|,„„|,,   ,„,.,  |,„„M.|r  Ml.||,r..,| 

f'Mmy  ufllrrr  wIm.  w.h,|.|  ,„(,„,..  Colnn,.)  Mmwii  .,(  whni  lm.| 
l"-ll  sm.l.      Tl,,,  „|li,.,,r    n.,,|„„|  (|,„l   |,n  h|,ui,|,|   ,i..  m.  I.r|n|r    I,., 

I'lnlrrllM.s,.  niniinst.MMVM  no  lii,,.-  w/w  Umt  m   nmkiinr  ||„. 

""' ""ii.'ulioM   1.,   Col.MM.I    Mn.wn.      f'„lM,M.|    |,.wim   Unmv\r 

OHllr.l  .||M.,I  Ulnw.l  ill  tlin  ..miinm  of  iIk-  Wi-mu^r,  ,,,,.1  til.-  ,„..tl.r 

was  iIh.  ,,niin|,„l  i„|,i,;  <,C  ,:oiivcrN(,(H.ii.     Tlin  C„\,„w\   wi.m  /, 

.""'''  '""'  """"'''"  '""".  "'">  '"■  "wmI.-  no  rrnmvk  oC  |MMl.r„h.r 

lw.rNliiM.,MN  ,„•  l,il(..rM..ss,  m   n.N,„rt  I.,   Ani„|,|;   l,u(,  (..vvanl  ll.r, 

H..N..  nl  ihn  in(rivi..\v,  li.,  ol.Nr.v.d     "  \VHI,  I.-vvin,  |  wi.sli  vh, 

w.ml.l  mvitn  !...<  (.,  Hill.,  willi   yo.ir  uwm  (o-inoirow."     "  Wi»li 

"N  M.y  l.-arl,"  was  il,,,  n.,,|y  ;  .«  will  you  nmv.  T     Urovvn  .ai.J 

»•"    woMl.l,  an.l   (iH.y  j.ailr.l.     Tl.o   n.-xf  .lay,  n-ar    Mm,   I.m...  of 

Nnviiii,r  .liiiii.T,  ColnnH   MnMvii  aii,v...|,  an.l  was  .isl,,.,..,!  „,. 

I'"  "il.l.,  was  N|,r..a(l  in  a  lonjr  loooi,  a(  on..  ,,„!  of  wl.i.l,   ih« 

''"""•  "P''""'I  «lim-lly  o,,,,osit..  lo  ||,„  (in.pla,.,,  at  ll.o  oll.rr.     Ar 

nnj.l  wa.H  at  ll.,-  inoii.rni  Nlan.lni^r  willi  his  hark  lo  tla,  (in-,  so  thaf 

as  Mrown  opnnd  ih..  ,| •  ihry  at  onm  ..n.o.n.t.Tr.l  ,.a,'|,  other 

''"•«'  ••»  '<"••"•      It  was  a  ni.an.-nt  of  hn'athl,.s,s  inlnrsl  {\n  the  n- 
sull.     MrowM  walk,,,I  nilinly  in,  and  lurninir  (o  avoid  tlir  tahi*. 
imssrd  round  with  a  d.-lihriata  sfp,  and  advan.'iiiff  up  rio.so  to 
Arnold,  Mopped,  and  looked  him  directly  in  th.;  eye.     Alter  tho 
pans.,  ofa  nioinenl,  ho  oh.served  :  "J  (,m,|.,uhtani.,  Sm,,  that 

I'  VOU  MAVi:  HAM)   VOU  WOUM)  K,CK  M  K  :    [   Nr,w   IMIIiHKNT  M  V- 
"8Kt,l.'T0aiVK    YOU  AN    OIM-OKTUNIT  V  To  l-OT   vr,IU  Tll/M  AT 

«  INTO  KXK.-uTioN  I"  Another  hrief  pause  v.imml  Arnr.ld 
opnied  not  hi.s  lips.  Mmwii  then  said  to  hiin-'<,Sm,  vo.; 
"Aui;  A  i)iiiTVHcouNi>ui.:r-."  Arnold  wa.s  Mill  silent  as  the 
.splunx.  Wherciiipon  Mrown  turned  upon  his  h(;el  with  di-nity 
apoloirised  to  tlu,  fre„t|e,„en  present  for  his  intrnsion,  und  irn- 
mediatoly  left  tlu;  room. 

Tills  was  c(.rtainlyau  (!Xtraor(hnary  .seene,  and  morn  extra- 
ordinary still  is  tho  fact,  that  the  partionlars  have  nov(T  heon 
com.numcated  m  any  way  to  tfie  pnhlic.  Arnold  certainly  did 
not  la(>k  i)ersonal  l,rav.;ry  ;  nnd  tho  unhroken  silenco  preserved 
hy  liiin  on  tho  oceasion,  can  only  l)o  aemimfed  for  .n.on  th» 
bupposition  that  lie  loured  to  provoke  inquiry  upon  the  sulyect. 


C) 


mm*t 


\ 


V* 


.!»* 


^1 


\ 

\ 

'    1 

1  si'i 

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1 

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♦  I 


!     * 


0-  '1 


118 


iAVi:   OK    nilAN'P. 


[1780. 


while  at  the  saino  time  ho  could  throw  himself  upon  his  well- 
attested  courage  and  his  rank,  as  excuses  lor  not  stooping  to  a 
controversy  witli  a  subordinate  oliicer.  But  it  must  still  be  con- 
sidered as  one  of  tlie  most  extraordinary  personal  interviews  to 
be  foimd  among  the  memorabilia  of  military  men.* 

In  the  year  following,  during  the  campaign  of  Burgoyne, 
owing  to  the  intrigues  of  Arnold,  Brown  was  left  without  any 
command.  But  he  was  too  much  of  a  patriot  to  remain  idle  m 
such  a  moment  of  his  country's  peril.  He  raised  a'corps  of 
volunteers  on  his  own  account,  and  performed  one  of  the  most 
daring  exploits  of  the  whole  war.  While  Burgoyne  was  yet  in 
the  full  career  of  victory.  Brown  dashed  into  his  rear,  and  pro- 
ceeding down  to  the  north  end  of  lialce  George,  fell  upon  a 
small  post,  which  he  carried  without  opposition.  The  surprise 
was  complete.  Ha  also  took  possession  of  Mount  Defiance, 
Mount  Hope,  the  landing-place,  and  about  two  hundred  bat- 
teaux.  With  the  loss  of  only  three  killed  and  five  wounded, 
Colonel  Brown  liberated  one  hundred  American  prisoners,  and 
captured  two  hundred  and  ninety-three  of  the  enemy.  He  made 
an  attempt  on  Mount  Independence  and  Ticonderoga ;  but,  too 
weak  for  the  investment  of  those  works,  he  returned  throuidi 
Lake  George  to  Diamond  Island,  containing  the  enemy's  depot 
of  provisions.  He  attacked  the  works  upon  this  island,  but  being 
repulsed,  burnt  the  vessels  he  had  captured,  and  returned  to  his 
former  station.  This  brilliant  affair  by  Colonel  Brown  took 
place  at  the  time  when  Arnold  had  the  ear  of  General  Gates : 
and  the  consequence  was,  that  in  giving  an  account  of  the  ex- 
pedition. Gates  carefully  avoided  even  naming  the  gallant  offi- 
cer who  had  planned  and  achieved  it.  It  was  an  instance  of 
neglect  for  which  that  officer  ought  for  ever  to  have  been  ashanr- 
cd.  Colonel  Brown  was  a  gentleman  of  education,  bred  to  the 
bar,  and  greatly  respected  by  those  who  enjoyed  the  pleasure 
of  his  acquaintance.     But  to  return. 

After  the  fall  of  Colonel  Brown,  and  the  defeat  of  his  troops, 
Sir  John  dispersed  his  forces  in  small  hands,  to  the  distance  of 
five  or  six  miles  in  all  directions,  to  pillage  and  destroy.  I«itc 
m  the  afternoon  he  reunited  his  troops,  and  leaving  Stone  Ara- 


•  Tho  particulars  of  thi^  int.Tt'Sling  story  W'cru  dirivnd  liy  the  aiithnr  fi-< 
i;p9  of  Gonurai  Lewi.s  liimsulf, 


tlin 


1780.] 


INVASION    OP    THH    MOHAWK    VALLEY. 


119 


bia  a  desert,  nmrched  back  to  tlie  river  road,  Ccvst  of  Caroos 
Creek  The  detachment  of  Captain  Dnncan  lutving  come  un, 
feir  John  again  moved  toward  the  west.  There  was  a  small 
defence  not  far  from  the  nioutli  of  the  creek,  called  Fox's  Fort 
Avoiduig  this  work  by  diverging  from  the  road  to  the  maro-in  of 
the  nver  on  the  left.  Sir  John  continued  his  course  three'miles 
further,  to  a  place  called  Klock's  Field,  where,  from  the  fatigue 
of  us  troops  and  the  over-burthens  of  provisons  and  plunder 
With  which  they  were  laden,  it  became  necessary  to  ha'^ 

General  Van  Rensselaer  was  now  close  in  pursuit  of  Sir 
John,  with  a  strong  force.     Indeed,  he  ought  to  have  overtaken 
him  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  since  he  had  encamped  the 
night  before  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  at  Van  Eps's,  nearly 
opposite  Caughnawaga,  while  Sir  .John  himself  was  encamped 
opposite  tlie  Nose,  only  two  or  three  miles  farther  up  the  river 
Sir  John's  troops, moreover,  were  exhausted  by  forced  maiches  ac 
tive  service,  and  heavy  knapsacks,  while  those  of  Van  Renssela-r 
were  fresh  in  the  field.    On  the  morning  of  the  same  day,  whilo 
continuing  his  march  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  Vaii  Reus- 
selaer  was  joined  by  Captain  M'Kean,  with  some  eighty  volan- 
teers,  together  with  a  strong  body  of  Oneida  warriors,  led  by 
their  principal  chief,  Louis  Atayataronghra,  who,  a.s  stated  in  a 
former  chapter,  had  been  commissioned  a  lieutenant  colonel 
by  Congress.     With  these  additions,  the  command  of  General 
Van  Rensselaer  numbered  about  fifteen  hundred-a  force  in 
every  way  superior  to  that  of  the  enemy. 

Sir  John  had  stationed  a  guard  of  forty  men  at  the  ford  to 
dispute  Its  passage.     On  approaching  this  point.  General  Van 
Rensselaer  halted,  and  did  not  again  advance  until  the  cr„ard  of 
the  enemy  had  been  withdrawn.     Continuing  his  march  still 
upon  the  South  side  of  the  river,  wliile  the  enemy  was  actively 
engaged  m  the  work  of  death  and  destruction  on  the  North 
Van  Rx^nsselaer  arrived  opposite  the  battle-ground  where  Brown 
had  fallen,  before  the  firing  had  ceased,  and  while  the  savage 
war-whoop  was  yet  resounding.     This  was  at  11  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  and  the  Americans  came  to  a  halt,  about  three  miles 
below  Caroga  Creek,  still  on  the  south  side.     While  there,  some 
of  the  fugitives  from  Colonel  Brown's  regiment  came  running 
down,  and  jumping  into  the  river,  forded  it  without  difficuUv 
As  they  came  to  the  south  bank,  the  General  inquired  wb-^nc(i 


m 


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MKK.    or    nil  A  NT. 


[17S0. 


tliey  caino.  One  of  tlicrn,  ii  miiilia  olliccr  niiinrJ  Van  Alien, 
repliud  that  they  had  cscapod  IVoiii  IJrown's  battle.  "  How  has 
it  gone?"  "Colonel  IJrown  is  lulled,  with  many  of  his  men. 
Are  you  not  going  there'/"'  "  I  urn  not  acquainted  with  the 
fording  place,"  said  the  Gencsrul.  He  was  answered  that  there 
was  no  dilliculty  in  the  case.  Tiio  General  then  inquired  of 
Van  Allen  if  ho  would  return  as  ii  ])ilot,  and  the  reply  was 
promptly  in  the  allirniative.  Hereupon  Captain  M'Kean  and 
the  Oneida  chief  led  their  ros|iectivo  commands  through  tlie 
river  to  the  north  side,  expecting  the  main  army 'immediately 
to  follow.  At  this  moment  Colonel  Dubois,  of  tlie  State  levies, 
rode  up  to  the  General,  who  immediately  mounted  liis  horse, 
and  instead  of  crossing  the  river,  accompanied  the  Colonel  to 
Fort  Plain,  some  distance  above,  to  dinner  as  it  was  understood. 
Meantime  the  Ijaggage  wagons  Were  driven  into  the  river,  to 
serve  in  part  as  a  bridge  lor  the  main  body  of  Van  Rensselaer's 
forces,  and  they  commenced  crossing  the  stream  in  single  files. 
The  passage  in  this  way  was  not  ollected  until  four  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  at  which  time  the  General  returned  and  joined 
them,  just  as  the  last  man  had  crossed  over.  Governor  Clinton 
remained  at  the  fort.  As  tho  (leiieral  arrived  at  the  water's 
edge,  Colonel  Louis,  as  tho  Oneida  chieftain  was  called,  shook 
his  sword  at  him,  and  denounced  iiini  as  a  Tory.  Arrived  on 
the  north  side,  Colonel  William  Har|)er  took  the  liberty  of  remon- 
strating with  the  General  at  wliat  \u\  conceived  to  be  a  great  and 
unnecessary  delay,  attended  with  a  needless  loss  of  life  and  pro- 
perty, on  the  part  of  the  inhubitanis  who  had  been  suffered  thus 
long  to  remain  unprotected.  From  that  moment  Van  Rensselaer 
moved  with  due  expedition.  'I'iio  troops  were  set  in  motion, 
and  marched  in  regular  order,  in  three  divisions,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  Oneida  warriors  and  tho  volunteers  under  M'Kean, 
who  regulated  their  own  movements  as  they  pleased — showing 
no  disposition,  however,  to  lag  behind.  The  advance  was  led 
by  Colonel  Morgan  Lewis. 

Anticipating  that  he  should  bi'  compelled  to  receive  an  attack, 
Sir  .Tohn  had  made  ins  disjiosilioiis  accordingly.  His  regular 
troops,  Butler's  rangers,  and  tho  Tories  less  regularly  oriranized, 
weie  posted  on  a  small  alluvial  plain,  partly  encompassed  by  a 
sweeni !!,'''■  bond  of  the  river.  A  slight  br!\nst-wnrlc  bad  been 
hastily  thrown  across  tliu  iKJcli  of  the  little   peninsula  thus 


I'^SO.] 


BATTLE    OP   KLOCK's    FIELD. 


121 


formed,  for  the  protection  of  his  troops,  and'the  Indians,  under 
inayendanegea,  were   secreted   among  the  thick  shrul)  ouks 
covering  the  table-land  of  a  few  feet  elevation,  yet  farther  north 
A  detachment  of  German  Yagers  supported  the  Indians  * 

It  was  near  the  close  of  the  day  when  Van  Ilensselaer  ai-rived 
and  the  battle  was  immediately  commenced  in  the  open  field' 
1  wo  of  the  advancing  divisions  of  State  troops,  forming  the 
leil,  were  directed  against  the  regular  forces  of  Sir  John  on  the 
flatts,  commencing  their  firing  from  a  great  distance  with  small 
arms  only— the  field-pieces  not  having  been  taken  across  the 
nver.     Colonel  Dubois  commanded  the  extreme  right,  which 
was  so  far  extended  that  he  had  no  enemies  to  encounter.     Next ' 
to  him  were  M'Kean's  volunteers  and  the  Oneida  Indians, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  attack  Thayendanegea's  Lidians  and  the 
Yagers.     These  were  supported  by  a  small  corps  of  infantry 
cominanded  by  Colonel  Morgan  Lewis.     The  American  left  was 
commanded  by  Colonel  Cuyler  of  Albany.     Sir  John's  right  was 
formed  of  a  company  of  regular  troops.    His  own  regiment  of 
Greens  composed  the  centre,  its  left  resting  upon  the  ambus- 
caded Indians.     The  latter  first  sounded  the  war-whoop,  which 
was  promptly  answered  by  tlie  Oneida^.     Both  parties  ea<rerly 
rushed  forward,  and  the  attack,  for  the  instant,  was  mutually 
impetuous.     Dubois,  though  too  far  extended,  brought  his  regi- 
ment speedily  to  the  support  of  M'Kean's  volunteers,  who  were 
following  up  the  attack  of  the  Oneidas.     The  hostile  Indians 
manifosted  a  disposition  to  stand  for  a  few  moments ;  but  Dubois 
had  no  sooner  charged  closely  upon  them,  than  they  fled  with 
precipitation  to  the  fording  place  near  the  upper  Indian  Castle 
about  two  miles  above— crossing  the  road  in  their  flight  and 
throwing  themselves  in  the  rear  of  the  Greens  as  a  cover.    The 
Mohawk  chief  was  wounded  in  the  heel,  but  not  so  badly  as  to 
prevent  his  escape. 

Tlie  enemy's  regular  troops  and  rangers,  however,  fou<rbt 
with  spirit,  although  Sir  John  himself  was  reported  by  son/ to 
have  fled  with  the  Indians.!    On  the  flight  of  the  Lidians,  Major 


il 
I' 

!i 

I; 


It- 


A' 


,4 


A  \ 


\  i 


li:' 


♦  Theae  Yagers  were  a  Bort  of  rifle  corps—using  short  rifles. 

t  Major  Thomas  SammonB,   from  whose  moni.scripts   the  author  has  chieflv 

drawn  tno  Tnrta  nf  this  nnrti..n  ^  tl .:...  «...  .      ,     ,  _.  ^ 

Rensselaer  at  Van  Eps's-i.  poeiiiva  in  hi.  d,olar«tioi«,  that  the  Briti.h  Command. 
VOL.  II. 


I 

p 


I'i  ' 


i 


InlH  i 


122 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1780. 


Van  Benschoten,  ot  Dubois's  regiment,  hastened  to  the  General 
for  permission  to  pursue  the  Hying  enemy.     It  was  just  twilight ; 
and  tlie  indications  were  not  to  be  mistaken,  that  the  best  por- 
tion of  the  enemy's  forces  were,  in  confusion,  and  on  the  point  of 
being  conquered.     The  disappointment   was  therefore  great, 
when,  instead  of  allowing  a  pursuit  of  the  Indians,  or  charging 
upon  the  feeble  breast-work  on  the  flatts,  and  thus  fiuisning  the 
battle,  (Seneral  Van  Rensseher  ordered  his  forces  to  retire  for  the 
night.     His  object  was  to  obtain  a  better  position  for  a  bivouac, 
and  to  renew  and  complete  the  battle  in  the  morning— for  whicli 
purpose  he  fell  back  nearly  three  miles,  to  Fox's  Fort.    His 
troops  were  not  only  disappointed,  but  highly  incensed  at  this 
order,  believing  that  tlie  contest  might  have  been  victoriously 
ended  in  a  very  few  minutes.     Indeed,  the  brave  Colonel  Louis, 
of  tlie  Oueidas,    together  with   Colonel   Clyde  and   Captain 
M'Ke-ui.  refused  to  retreat,  but  sheltered  themselves  in  the  ad- 
jactat  buildings— hanging  upon  the  enemy's  lines  several  hours, 
and  making  some  prisoners.     In  the  course  of  the  evening 
Clyfie,  with  a  handful  of  Schoharie  militia,  succeeded  incaptur- 
m<;  one  of  the  enemy's  field-pieces.    The  Americans  were  still 
;nore  chagrined  on  learning  from  one  of  the  prisoners  that  the 
troops  of  Sir  John  were  on  the  point  of  capitulating  at  the  very 
moment  of  Van  Rensselaer's  order  to  retreat.     And   from  the 
fact  that  the  river  was  alike  too  rapid  and  too  deep,  where  it 
curved  round  the  battle-field,  to  admit  of  an  escape  in  that  direc- 
tion, no  doubt  can  be  entertained  that  the  enemy  had  been  (;n- 
tirely  within  their  power.     But  it  was  now  too  late.    The  golden 
opportunity  had  been  lost.    On  the  morrow's  dawn  there  was 
no  enemy  in  the  field  to  encounter.    Under  cover  of  darkness 
the  Royal  Greens  aiid  Butler's  Rangers  had  followed  the  exam- 
ple of  the  Indians,  and  made  good  their  escape. 

Louis  with  his  warriors,  and  M'Kean  with  his  volunteers, 
crossed  the  river  early  in  the  morning,  in  pursuit.  General  Van 
Rensselaer  also  arrived  on  the  battle-ground  between  8  and  9 
o'clock,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  work  of  the  preceding 
day.  While  he  was  crossing  the  river  and  preparing  to  follow 
on,  some  ofM'Kean's  volunteers,  who  were  waiting  for  the  main 
army,  in  strolling  about,  came  upon  a  little  block-house,  in  which 


er  was  amon?  the  first  to  flee.    Other  accounts  speak  differently, 
mona  was  in  the  faatde,  wiioiig  Uie  volunteers  of  M'Kcan. 


Major  Sam- 


1780.] 


FLIGHT   OP   SIR   JOHN   JOHNSON. 


123 

they  found  nine  of  the  enemy  who  had  been  nu.de  prisoners- 
dunng  the  rught.     One  of  the  party  making  the  discovery  wl 
rhomasSammons,  and  among  the  prisoners  was  a  Toi/who 
ad  been  his  near  neighbor  in  Johnstov.n.     On  being  asked  how 
thy  came  there,  this  man,  whose  name  was  Peter  &ass,  replied 
~    Why,    am  ashamed  to  tell.     Last  night,  after  the  bittle  we 
crossed  the  river.     It  wo.  dark.     We  Vard  the  word,  <  lly 
d  wnyourarms.'    Some  of  us  did  so.    We  were  taken,  nine  of 
IS,  and  rnarched  into  this  little  fort  by  seven  militia-men.     We 
formed  the  rear  of  three  hundred  of  Johnson's  Greens,  who 
wererunnmg  promiscuously  through  and  over  one  another 
thought  General  Van  Rensselaer's  whole  army  was  upon  us 

"  r^off^rrfr"  "T"?  ^"^^^-'^y'  after  sir  John 
"renderV  Indians  and  left  us?    We  wanted  to  sur- 

Wlien  Sir  John  fled  from  the  field  with  the  Indians  and  Ya- 
gers, he  doubtless  supposed  all  was  lost.     He  laid  his  course 
direct  for  the  Onondaga  lake,  where  his  boats  had  been  cone  al- 
ed,  pursuing  the  main  road,  and  making  only  a  slicrht  deviation 
to  the  south  of  tneGerman  Flatts,  to  avoid  the  forts^'IltLtX 
His  Greens  and  Rangers  followed  closely  upon  his  heels,  and 
overtook  him  at  Oneida.     Van  Rensselaer  pressed  forwa  d^„ 
pursuit,  with  all  his  forces,  as  far  as  Port  Herkimer,  where  he 
^vas  overtaken  by  Governor  Clinton,  who  did  not,  however 
interfere  with  the  command.    Louis  and  M'Kean  were  now 
pushed  forward  m  advance,  with  orders  to  overtake  the  fumtive 
army  if  possible,  and  engage  them-Van  Rensselaer  promisL  to 
continue  his  march  with  all  possible  rapidity,  and  be  at  hand 
to  support  them  m  the  event  of  an  engagement.     On  the  next 
morning  the  advance  struck  the  trail  of  Sir  John,  and  took  one 
of  h!s  Indians  prisoner.    Halting  for  a  short  time.  Colonel  Du- 
bois came  up,  and  urged  them  forward,  repeating  the  a^urances 
ot  fho  General's  near  approach  and  sure  support.     The  march 
of  the  advance  was  then  resumed,  but  they  had  not  proceeded 
far  before  they  came  upon  the  enemy's  deserted  encampment- 
the  fires  yet  burnnig.     The  Oneida  chief  now  shook  his  head 
and  refused  to  proceed  another  step  until  General  Van  Rensse-' 
laer  should  make  his  appearonoe.     There  was  accordingly  a  halt 
tor  some  time,  during  which  a  Doctor  Ailnn  arri-^i  %o.^  t'^e 
main  axmy,  informing  the  officers  that  the  pursuit  had  already 


lift-* 


•Mt! 


c:> 


00t    Mi»«t 


4'        \ 


124 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


i*;' 


[1780. 

been  abandoned  by  the  General,  who  was  four  miles  distant  on 
his  return-march ! 

The  expedition  was  of  course  at  an  end.  But  fortune  hed 
yet  another  favor  in  store  for  Sir  John  Jolmson — to  be  won  with- 
out the  bloodshed  that  had  attended  his  desolating  course  through 
the  Mohawk  Valley.  Having  ascertained  where  Sir  John's 
boats  were  concealed,  General  Van  Rensselaer  had  despatched 
an  express  to  Fort  Schuyler,  ordering  Captain  Vroqman,  with  a 
strong  detachment,  to  hasten  forward  in  advance  of  the  enemy, 
and  destroy  them.  Vrooman  lost  no  time  in  attempting  the  ex- 
ecution of  his  orders ;  but  one  of  his  men  falling  sick,  or  fei  n- 
ing  himself  to  be  so,  at  Oneida,  was  left  behind.  Sir  John  soon 
afterward  came  up ;  and  being  informed  by  the  treacherous  in- 
valid of  .Vrooman's  movenient.  Brant  and  his  Indians,  with  a 
detachment  of  Butler's  rangers,  were  hastened  forward  in  pursuit. 
They  came  suddenly  upon  Vrooman  and  his  troops  while  they 
were  engaged  at  dinner,  and  every  man  was  captured  without 
firing  a  gun.* 

The  last  obstacle  to  his  escape  having  thus  been  removed.  Sir 
John  reached  Oswego  without  farther  molestation.  By  this  third 
and  most  formidable  irruption  into  the  Mohawk  country  during 
the  season,  Sir  John  had  completed  its  entire  destruction  above 
Schenectady— the  prmcipal  settleuent  above  the  Little  Falls 
having  been  sacked  and  burnt  two  years  before.  General  Van 
Rensselaer  has  always  been  censured  for  his  conduct  in  this  ex- 
pedition. Indeed  his  behavior  was  most  extraordinary  through- 
out. On  the  night  before  the  battle  of  Klock's  Field,  Sir  John  was 
not  more  than  six  miles  in  advance— havmg  left  Van  Eps's  just 
before  dark,  where  Van  Rensselaer  arrived  and  encamped  early 
in  the  evening ;  and  it  was  obvious  to  all  that  no  extraordinary 
share  of  energy  was  required  to  bring  the  enemy  to  an  engage- 
ment, even  before  the  encounter  with  Colonel  Brown.  Major 
Sammons,  at  the  close  of  his  account  of  the  expedition,  remarks 
withemphtisis— "When  my  father's  buildings  were  burnt,  and 

♦  Major  Sammons ;  also  statettient  of  John  More,  yet  living,  who  was  one  of  Sir 
John's  soldiers.  Ac^'>rding  to  the  official  returns  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  this  afTuirof 
the  cnpfure  of  Captain  Viooman  and  his  detachment  took  place  on  the  23d  of  Oc- 
tober at  a  place  called  Canaghsioraga.  Two  captains  and  one  lieutenant  were 
taken,  together  with  eight  non-commissioned  offioera  and  forty-five  privates.  Thre« 
privates  and  one  lieutenaiit  vvtire  killed. 


1780.] 


GENERAL    HALDIMAND's   ACCOUNT. 


125 

"2  brothers  taken  prisoners,  the  pain  I  felt  was  not  as  great  as 
at   he  conduct  of  General  Robert  Van  Ronsselaer."'    ^ 
But  Sir  John  s  escape,  after  all,  was  rather  a  flight  than  r  re- 
treat;  and  had  .t  not  been  for  the  capture  of  Vrooman'  "etach 
ment-a  most  unexpected  conquest-lthe  visible  trlhies  ^f  ht 
expedition  would  have  been  few  and  dearly  purchased     Indu 

ed  d'lo  ""  T"  'T^"'^'  '^  ^^^  P— '  ^hat  he  tl 
reduced  to  a  n.ost  uncomfortable  situation  ;  and  from  the  Ba- 
ronet's own  letter  to  General  Haldimand,  ii  appears  Tht  her" 
were  many  m>ssn.g,  who  it  was  hoped  would'Sid  the  way 
to  Oswego  or  Niagara.  General  Haldimand  wrote  to  his  J 
vernment  that  Sir  John  «  had  destroyed  the  settlements  of  Scho- 

tr;"\:hth ''"  ^"''^'  ^"'  ''''  '^^^'^  ^  ^-^  -tent  of  foun 
try,   which  was  most  true.     It  was  added  :-«He  had  several 
engagements  with  the  enemy,  in  which  he  came  off  victorLns 
In  one  of  them  near  Stone  Arabia,  he  killed  a  Colonel  bZu 
a  notorious  and  active  rebel,  with  about  one  hundred  officor^ 

t  T  ;  ^  ''""'^  ^"^^'^  ^^'tf^""t  ^^P^-^^i".-  to  your  Lord! 
«  ship  the  perfect  satisfaction  which  I  hav^,  from  the  Lai  S 

and  activity  with  which  Sir  John  Johnson  ha.  conkS 
« this  arduous  enterprise."t  ^""uuciea 

sui!?/sir''j'orT?"  ^"'^^^'^^r^-  P-hing  forward  in  pur- 
suit  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  an  incident  occurred  at  Fort  Hunter 
which^peaks  volumes  in  favor  of  the  character  of  Joseph  Bran  ' 
The  plundered  and  distressed  inhabitants  of  the  Schohartsel' 
lemente,  the  day  after  the  enemy  had  departed  from  Fort  Hun 
ter,  crowded  about  the  fort,  each  his  tale  of  loss  or  grief  to  re" 
late.    Among  them  was  a  woman,  whose  husband  £id  several 

*  •'  With  regard  to  the  b.tde  on  Klock's  Farm,  and  the  facts  st.t.J  ■■  „««,  m 
per«,  I  would  .ay  that  I  jomed  with  Captain  M'Kean  aa  a  volunteer,  and  me  Ge" 
Van  Rensselaer  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  opposite  CanghnawaU  e.l  in  th« 
mornmg;  and  of  my  own  knowledge  I  know  most  of  the  faets  to  be  I  tC  : 
stated.  1  8t«,d  with  the  volunteers  after  the  battle,  and  held  th.  conversation  wiA 
the  prisoners  found  in  the  little  block-house  the  next  mornm.,  as  stated  ,  J^ 
wjthCapt.  Kean  when  he  had  orders  to  advance  and  overtake  Sir  lit  T 
short  time  after  saw  Dr.  Allen,  who  came  to  inform  us  that  C  Ren  se.ae  d^ 
turng.  W.th  regard  to  the  route  of  Sir  John,  I  deceived  my  acco.m  from T" 
of  h,s  own  party  who  are  now  living,  and  men  of  undoubted  veracity."-^!?,;/ 
Major  Sammons— 1836.  ^       *^"**  "j 

t  Letter  of  Sir  Frederick  HaM!rnan<1  to  LnM  nc-i-r--  "         •       -,- 
ftegi,ter  1781.  "  ^'°"  ^•^"'=""'=»  ^^ew  Annu.1 


I'' 


ni .  1 


., .', 


J  [M  t 


:f     ^ 


'■i  7f 


'iiilir   ^M 


ill 


126 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1780. 


other  members  of  the  family  wore  missing.  She  was  in  an  agony 
of  grief,  rendered  more  poignant  by  the  loss  of  her  infant,  Avhich 
had  been  snatched  from  the  cradle.  Early  tlie  next  morning, 
while  the  officers  at  Van  Ili^,nsselaer's  head-quarters  were  at  break- 
fast, a  young  Indian  warrior  came  bounding  into  the  room  like 
a  stag,  bearing  an  infant  in  his  arms,  and  also  a  letter  from 
Brant,  addressed  "  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  rebel  army." 
General  Van  Rensselaer  not  being  present  at  the  moment,  the 
letter  was  opened  by  one  of  his  suite,  and  read  substantially  as 

follows :—  •  ■  n, 

«  Sir :  I  send  you  by  one  of  my  lunners,  the  child  which  he 
«  will  delivTjr,  that  you  may  know  that  whatever  others  may  do, 
«  /do  not  make  war  upon  women  and  children.  I  am  sorry  to 
«  say  that  I  have  those  engaged  with  me  in  the  service,  who 
«  are  more  savage  than  the  savages  themselves." 

Among  those  thus  referred  to,  he  proceeded  to  name  several 
of  the  leadinjy  Tories,  including  the  two  Butlers,  and  others 
whose  names  are  not  recollected.*  It  was  very  speedily  ascer- 
tained that  the  infant  was  none  other  than  that  of  the  discon- 
solate mother  of  whom  mention  has  just  been  made.  Her  sen- 
sations on  again  clasping  her  infivnt  to  her  bosom  need  not  be 
described ;  nor  could  they  be.t 

There  was  yet  another  adventure  connected  with  this  expedi- 
tion, which  was  alike  interesting  and  amusing.  The  Senecas, 
it  has  already  been  stated,  were  led  by  the  Corn-Planter,  whose 

•  The  bitter  hostility  of  the  Torioa  of  the  Mohawk  cmintry  toward  their  former 
neinhbors,  was  at  times  exhihiteil  in  acts  of  such  fiend-Hke  ferocity  as  to  defy  ex- 
planation and  stagger  belief.  In  a  former  chapter  the  case  of  nn  infant  murdered 
in  its  cradle  bv  a  Tory,  after  the  reffsal  oi' an  Indian  to  kill  it,  has  been  stated. 
There  -f/na  another  like  instance  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Little  Fulls,  maiked, 
if  possible,  by  Ptillg'eater  brutality.  An  Indian  having  refused  to  kill  an  infant 
as  it  lav  smiling  in  the  cradle,  the  morn  savage  loyalist,  rebuking  IhR  compassion  of 
the  red  man  thrust  it  through  with  his  bayonet  as  a  fisherman  would  spenr  a 
salmon,  and  held  it  wrilhina  in  its  agonies  in  triumph  above  his  head.  A  senile- 
man  of  the  Bar,  late  of  Little  Falls,  has  assured  t!ie  author,  'hat  to  his  knowledge 
the  wretch  who  committed  that  diabolical  act  had  the  effrontery  a  few  years  since  to 
present  himself  as  a  candidate  for  a  pension,  under  one  of  the  acts  of  Congreps  for 
rewardin"  the  surviving  soldiers  of  the  revolulion.  The  fact  just  related  was  for^ 
luaately  elicited  before  his  paf)er3  were  completed,  and  the  result  need  not  b« 

Btatcd. 

+  The  author  has  received  the  account  of  this  interesting  occurrence  from 
General  Moroan  Lewis,  who  was  present  at  the  time,  a  spect^itor  of  all  the  particu- 
lars. 


1780.] 


AXFcnoTR   OP   COnN-PLANTEH. 


12? 


father  as  it  hns  also  boon  stated,  was  a  white  man  named  O'Bail 
fothe'r  w  '  '"  f '•^.•^^^•"^•^""'  t^'«  residoneeof  Uie  Corn-Planter's 

from  th  T  Z        '""r^  "^  '^"'■^  P^^"'^'  ^"^'  °^«""rse,  not  far 

from  the  battle-ground  of  Klock's  Field.    He  had  forme;i.  been 

n  the  habit  of  travelling  back  and  forth  from  Albany  throiigh 

the  Seneca  country,  to  Ni..gara,  as  a  trader.     Becoming  ena- 

rTrfi     r*"  ^n^  '^""'^  ""^""^  '^'  ^'""^'^'^  i"  Pro'e««  of 
time  the  Com-Planter  became  one  of  the  living  evidences  of  his 

affection.  Whether  the  father  wa.s  aware  that  a  chief  of  so 
much  enanence  was  his  own  son,  hi.story  does  not  tell ;  but 
thesonw^T^  Ignorant  neither  of  his  parentage,  nor  of  the  resi- 
dence of  Ins  sire  ;  and  being  now  in  his  close  vicinity,  he  took 
a  novel  method  of  bringing  about  an  acquaintance  with  him 
Repairing  with  a  detachment  of  his  warriors  to  his  father's  house, 
he  made  the  old  man  a  prisoner,  and  marched  him  off.  Having 
proceeded  ten  or  twelve  miles,  the  chief  stepped  up  before  hit 
sire,  and  addressed  him  in  the  following  terms  ;_ 

"  My  name  is  John  O'Bail,  commonly'called  Corn-Planter     I 
am  your  s- m  !     You  are  my  father !     You  are  now  .ay  prison- 
er, and  subject  to  the  customs  of  Indian  warfare.     But  you  shall 
not  be  harmed.     You  need  not  fear.     I  am  a  warrior  !     Many 
are  the  scalps  which  I  have  taken  !     Many  prisoners  I  have 
tortured  to  death  !     I  am  your  son  !     I  am  a  warrior  !    I  was 
anxious  fo  see  you,  and  to  greet  you  in  friendship.    I  went  to 
your  cabin,  and  took  you  by  force  :  but  your  life  shall  be  spared 
Induins  love  their  friends  and  their  kindred,  and  treat  them 
wxth  kindness.     If  now  you  choose  to  follow  the  fortunes  of 
your  yellow  son,  and  to  live  with  our  people,  I  will  cherish 
your  old  age  with  plenty  of  venison,  and  you  shall  live  easy. 
But  If  It  IS  your  choice  to  return  to  your  fields,  and  live  with 
your  white  children,  I  will  send  a  party  of  my  tnisty  yoim<r 
men  to  conduct  you  back  in  safety.     I  respect  you,  my  father" 
lou  have  been  friendly  to  Indians  :  they  are  your  friends."* 

♦  Life  of  Mary  Jemison.  In  «  letter  written  by  Corn-Planter  fo  the  Governor  of 
Penn«ylvan.a,  ,n  1922  complninin.  of  an  attempt  made  by  the  officer*  of  that  State 
fol  oT"  «  wl"T         ""^  '^'  ^"''""'  "'''^''""  °"  'h"  Al'eshany,  he  began  a. 

t     frr    A    ?"     ''"  r'"'-  '  '''"^'^  ""'  ''''  """-fly-  •»'«  g™-hopper.  and 
the  frojs     As  I  grew  up,  I  began  to  pay  some  attention,  and  play  with  the  Indian 

me  that  mv  fl   "'"'"^  1  '"''""■"^  "'  '"y  ■""'^"""  '"«  '^-""^  ""d  «he  told 

me  that  my  father  was  a  resident  of  \ibany.    I  ate  still  my  victuals  out  of  a  bark 


I 

i 

1. 

(i 


J! 


3^ 


til 
I 


uif 


m 


•writ 


c:> 


:M^ 


^i  ', 


'ii   ■ 


?1.'- 


1  1   '■. 


i'    If?: 


I" 


w 


k 

1  i 
i 


I 


128 


LIFE   OF    BRANT. 


[1780. 


The  old  gcntlomnn,  liowever,  had  sown  his  wild  onts.  His 
days  of  roiniinco  woro  ovor.  ProCcrrius,  tliorcforo,  the  produce 
of  his  own  holds,  tlio  coinpuny  of  his  white  cliildreii,  and  the 
comforts  of  lus  own  house,  to  the  venison,  the  freedom,  and  the 
forests  of  the  western  wilds,  ho  chose  to  return.  His  son,  hil- 
fillin<j  liis  word,  howed  to  the  election,  and  giving  his  father  m 
charge  to  a  suitable  escort,  lie  was  enabled  to  reach  his  own 
dwelling  in  safety.  The  proud  Seneca  and  his  warriors  moved 
otf  to  their  own  wilds. 

Simultaneously  with  the  movements  of  Sir  John  Johnson 
through  the  Schoharie  and  Mohawk  country,  the  enemy  had 
been  actively  engaged  against  the  settlements  at  the  North  of 
Albany,  tetween'the  Hudson  and  Lake  Champlain,  and  like- 
wise against  some  of  the  upi>er  settlements  on  the  Connecticut 
river.  In  order  to  create  a  diversion  in  favor  of  Sir  John,  Major 
Carleton  came  up  the  lake  from  St.  John's,  with  a  fleet  of  eight 

dish-  I  "row  up  to  bo  a  voiin;:  man,  nn<l  marrio.l  me  n  wife,  but  I  hnd  no  kettle  or 
aun  Uhon  knew  whore  mv  father  lived,  and  went  to  aee  liim,  and  found  he  was 
a  whito  man,  and  spoke  tlw  Eni-Ksh  language.  He  gave  rae  victuals  while  I  was 
•ttiis  house,  but  when  I  started  to  return  homo,  he  gave  me  no  provision  to  ent  on 
the  way.  He  gave  me  nrithor  kettle  nor  gun,  neither  did  he  tell  me  that  the  United 
States  were  about  to  rebel  ogainat  tte  government  of  England,"  &c.  fcc  By  this 
itatement  it  a-'  -.a  that  ho  must  have  seen  his  father  several  years  before  the  Mo- 
hawk  campuign.  This  may  very  well  have  been,  and  yet  the  anec<iote  related  by 
Mary  Jemison  bn  true  al-xo.  In  every  instance  in  which  the  author  has  had  an  op- 
portunity of  testin"  the  correctness  of  her  statements  by  other  authorities,  they  have 
proved  to  be  remarkably  correct.  Corn  Planter  lived  to  a  great  age,  havmg  do- 
ceased  within  the  last  eight  or  ten  years.  He  was  an  able  man-dutmguished  in 
Bubsequent  negotiations.  He  was  eloquent,  and  a  great  advocate. for  Tempe.ance. 
He  made  a  very  eff.^ctive  and  characteristic  s=pe.>ch  upon  that  subject  in  1922.  «  The 
Great  Spirit  first  made  the  world,  and  next  the  flying  animals,  and  found  all  things 
good  and  prosperous.  He  is  immortal  and  everlasting.  After  finishing  the  flving 
animaU,  be  came  down  on  eaHh,  and  there  stood.  Then  he  made  different  kinds  of 
trees  and  woods  of  all  sorts,  and  people  of  every  kind.  He  made  the  Spring,  and 
other  seasons,  and  the  weather  suitible  for  planting.  These  he  did  make.  But 
■tills  to  make  whiskey  to  give  to  Indians,  he  did  not  make."  *•♦••*• 
"The  Qreat  Spirit  told  us  there  were  throe  things  for  people  to  attend  to.  First, 
we  ou"ht  to  take  care  of  our  wives  and  children.  Secondly,  the  whito  people  ought 
to  attend  to  their  farms  and  cattle.  Thir.lly,  the  Great  Spirit  has  given  the  bears 
and  deers  to  the  Indians."  ♦  •  •  "The  Great  Spirit  has  ordered  mo  to  qmt 
drinkin".  He  wishes  mo  to  inform  the  people  that  they  alwuld  quit  drink.ng  mtoxi- 
catin"  (Trink  "  In  the  course  of  the  same  speech,  he  gave  evidence  ttiat  he  was  not 
overmuch  p»eas»<d  with  the  admixture  of  his  own  blood.  ♦  •  '  "ThediTerent 
kinds  the  Great  Spirit  made  s-parate,  and  not  to  mix  wilh  and  disturb  eacli  other. 
.     . u—i,«r,  tl.;a  f.nmman'K  btf  mixino  their  color  with  the  In 

dians.    The  Indians  have  done  better  by  not  doing  so." 


1780.] 


MAJOK    CABLETOn's    EXPEDITION. 


129 


lar^ro  vessels  and  twenty-six  fl«t-lK)ttomed  bouts,  containing  t,p. 
ward  of  one  thousand  nion,  roirular  troops,  loyalists  and  Indians. 
I'ort  Gorge  and  Fort  Anne  were  hoth  taken  by  surprise,  and 
their  garrisoLu:,  which  were  not  large,  were  surrendered  prison- 
ers ot  war.»     The  party  directed  against  the  upper  settlements 
ot  the  Connecticut  river,  was  coninianded  by  Major  HauLrhton 
o(  the  53d  regiment,  and  consisted  almost  entirely  of  Indians  of 
whom  there  wore  two  hundred.     This  marauding  incursion 
was  likewise  successful.     In  addition  to  the  booty  taken,  thirty- 
two  of  the  inhabitants  were  carried  away  prisoners.     Several  of 
the  militm,  who  turned  out  in  pursuit  of  Major  Ilaughton,  were 
killed.    In  regard  to  Major  Carleton's  expedition,  sad  tales  of 
crnelty  were  reported.     Oii'    of  these  was  a  relation,  by  a  de^ 
serter  named  Van  Deuscn,  of  a  horrible  case  of  torture  inflicted 
upon  a  soldier  of  Colonel  Warner's  regiment,  taken  by  Carleton 
in  the  action  near  Fort  George.    Van  Deusen  was  a  deserter  from 
the  /mencan  army  to  the  enemy;  but  having  stolen  back  into 
iiis  own  country,  was  ai)prehended  and  executed.    Colonel  Gan- 
sevoort,  however,  then  in  command  at  the  North,  wrote  to  Major 
Carleton  upon  tlie  subj-rt  on  the  2d  of  November,  statin.r  the 
[.articulars  of  the  story.     Carleton  repelled  the  charge  m  the 
most  positive  and  earnest  manner,  as  will  presently  appear.! 

The  correspondence  between  Gansevoort  and  Carleton,  how- 
ever,  was  not  confined  to  this  particular  transaction.  Indeed 
t}r.t  was  altogether  an  incidental  affair,  and  the  correspondence 
with  Carlet(m  himself  was  also  incidental,  being  part  only  of 
a  more  extended  negotiation  with  other  and  higher  officers  of 
the  British  ari.^  in  Canada,  the  object  of  which  was  the  settle- 
ment  of  a  cartel  for  an  extensive  exchange  of  prisoners  at  the 
North.     The  story  will  be  best  told  by  the  introduction  of  a 

*  Forts  Anne  and  George  were  taken  by  Major  Carleton  on  thn  10th  and  1  lih  of 
October.  In  his  official  report,  xMajor  Carleton  stated  his  own  los.,  on  both  wca. 
sioiv«,  at  four  officers  and  twenty -tbreo  privates  killed.  The  number  of  prisoners 
taken  is  stated  at  two  capUins,  two  lieutenants,  and  one  hundred  and  fourteen  Dfi- 
vates.  " 

t  Speaking  of  Carleton's  expedition,  SirP.tderick  Haldimand,  in  a  letter  to  Lord 
George  Germume,  observes  :-'^  The  reports  assiduously  published  on  all  occasions 
by  the  enemy,  of  cruelties  committed  by  the  Indians,  are  notoriously  false,  and  pro- 
pagated  :n.re!y  to  exasperate  the  ignorant  and  deluded  people.  In  th.s  late  instance 
Major  Carleton  mform.  me,  they  behaved  with  the  greatest  moderation,  and  did  not 
strip,  or  in  any  respect  ili  use,  their  prisoners."  Sir  John  Tnbncon  hn-j  ),.„  -„.„. 
over  his  Indians  at  ISclioliarie. 


I 


m  ■ 


c:> 


.  < 


I-  ^ 


130 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1780. 


1 


portion  of  tho  correspondence  itself,  while  at  the  same  time 
several  otlior  points  will  receive  satisfactory  ilhutration. 

Genkral  Powell  to  Colonel  Van  Schaick. 

«  St.  John's,  Sept.  22d,  1780. 
"Sir, 

"  Agreeable  to  the  promise  made  in  my  letter  of  the  15th  of 
last  March,  I  send  by  your  returning  flog  of  truce,  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell, Mrs.  Moore,  and  their  families,  together  with  Matthew  Can- 
non, and  five  others,  made  prisoners  by  the  Indians  on  the 
Mohawk  river,  whose  advanced  time  of  life  and  earnest  solicita- 
tions to  return  to  their  families,  have  induced  General  Haldi- 
mand  to  grant  them  that  permission  ;*  as  also  Mr.  Williams  of 
Detroit,  who  desires  to  go  to  his  relatives ;  and  Mary  and  Betsey 
Lewis,  who  beg  to  go  to  their  father  near  A'bany.  His  Excel- 
lency is  sorry  that  the  breach  of  faith  on  the  part  of  the  colonists, 
in  the  cartel  of  the  Cedars,  has  put  it  out  of  his  power  to  enter 
upon  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  and,  notwithstanding  their  re- 
peated attempts  to  escape,  many  tKroughout  the  province  are 
enlarged  upon  their  parole.  They  have  all  a  plentiful  allow- 
ance of  wholesome  provisions,  and  those  w  horn  it  is  thought 
necessary  to  keep  in  confinement,  are  accommodated  in  the  most 
comfortable  manner  circumstances  will  admit  of.  They  liave, 
besides,  received  money  to  the  amount  of  the  within  ac<  ounts  ; 
and  if  this  last  indulgence  is  to  be  continued,  it  is  but  rcasimable  it 
should  be  remitted  in  coin  ;  to  which  I  am  to  desire  your  atten- 
tion, as  very  heavy  bills  are  every  day  presented  from  our  troops 
who  are  prisoners  in  the  colonics. 

"  The  attention  which  has  been  shown  to  Mrs.  Campbell, 
and  those  in  her  unfortunate  circumstances,  as  well  as  the  good 
treatment  of  the  prisoners,  which  it  is  hoped  they  will  have  (he 
candor  to  acknowledge,  is  referred  to  for  comparison,  to  those 
by  whose  orders  or  permission  His  Majesty's  subjects  have 
experienced  execution,  the  horrors  of  a  dungeon,  loaded  with 
irons,  and  the  miseries  of  want. 

«  The  families  specified  in  the  enclosed  list  have  been  long 
in  expectation,  and  many  of  them  promised  permission,  to  join 

»  The  prisoners  abovp-mentioned,  it  will  be  recollected,  were  taken  at  Cherry 
Valley  in  1778.    See  Mrs.  Uampb»>ii'8  Narratwo,  sketched  in  Vol.  i. 


l^SO.J  EXCIIANOFS   OP    PniSONERS,   &C.  131 

tlioir  lu,s!,.-uuls  and  relatives  iu  this  province :  it  is  therefore 
re<i„ostc.d  they  ,nuy  |,c  «ont  to  yo.;r  «dv«nced  post  on  the 
bi^enesborough  comm.n.ication.  and  a  flag  of  truce  .shall  bo 
relthTm  '  '"  ''"  ^'^""^  °f 'i^'^^o  weemn  order  to  re. 

'•  I  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient, 
"  Humble  servant, 

"H.  Watson  Powell, 

uT^  ni      1  ir      c  .    .  ''Brigadier  General 

"10  Colonel  Van  Schaick:^ 

Colonel  Gansevoort  to  General  Powell. 


"Sir, 


"  Saratoga,  Nov.  2d,  1780. 


"Your  letter  of  22d  September  last,  directed  to  Colonel  Van 
bchaick,  u  becomes  my  duty  to  answer,  as  com     ...dincr  this  de 
partment  unUl  the  arrival  of  General  M.^ougali,  who  is  daiiv 
expected.'     Phe  prisoners  whom  you  noticed,  I  am  informed, 
have  taken  the  route  to  Albar.y,  throne,},  Benmngton. 

"  The  families  sfx^ified  in  your  list,t  whom  I  believe  to  b« 

»n.e,  and  wa,  mndo  as  a  n««  dc  gucm  ,o  mislead  ihe  B.i.Ish  Genen.l  JrlZ 
«rength  of  the  Northern  Department.  The  ,nUh  wa,.  that  Colon.l  G.  evoort 
was  so  weak  .n  po.n,  o  troops,  t!  U  he  w.s  apprehensive  of  ase.ond  visUalnZm 
St.  JohnV  should  Powell  and  Carle.on  obtain  inforn.otion  of  hi.  actual  n,cans  of  rer 

bt.  Johns  that  .here  was  at  least  a  General'.,  command  of  troops  at  Saratoga    Colone 

Gansevoort  w«,,e  to  General  Washington  upon  .he  suhject.  and  g«ve  thi 

fi.r  the  deception  he  had  practised  in  his  letter  to  General  Powell.    There  waS,  indeed 

good  causeforapprehens,on«tthattime.AfterCarletonhad  captured  for,8Ge;raeani 
Anne,  and  returned  down  the  lakes  to  Sf.  John's,  he  had  suddenly  returned  with  rein 
orcements.    Theleaders  in  Vermont  were  also  at  the  same  time  Lid  T™',!: 

tZ  Tl'l  Z  ^"T  ^""""T'""  '"  ''''"'''''  ^  ^"'^^  --i-troason^abr; on  ,0 
Ethan  Allen  himself  was  at  the  head,  as  will  appear  hereafter.  General  Schu.ler 
had  obtained  some  knowledge  upon  the  subject,  which  he  >o.t  no  time  in  communi- 
catmg  to  the  Comm..,.:er.in-chief.    The  consequence  wa.,  the  ordenn.  of "ev  ri 

ZTonVn  "     r'^'  ""'il!  "PP"'"""-'  °f  Cfeneral  James  Clintonto  the  com. 
mand  of  the  Department  at  Mbany.-Washington^,  LfUm-Spark, 
t  The  following  is  ihe  list  referred  to,  as  enclosed  by  General'kwcll,  viz — 
Names  of  the  different  families  belonging  to  the  following  men  of  the  84th  Re^'t 
cTnt  n'    .rr";  J";-"  McDonoil-.  family;  Donald  McGrewer's  family  ;  Dun 
canMcDonell'sfaiuily;  John  Mcintosh's  ditto  •.  Duncan  M-^Dn.n..iN -J-.-    n-    -^ 
McDonald's  ditto ;  Kenneth  McDonell's  ditto ;'  John  McDonell's  father  and  moiher 


ii»«-« 


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132 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1780. 


all  in  the  vicinity  of  this  place,  were  to  have  been  sent  tc  the 
British  shipping  in  Lake  Champlain  in  the  beginning  of  last 
month.  Major  Carleton's  incursion  prevented  their  being  for- 
warded then,  and  as  all  the  batteaux  in  Lake  George  were  car- 
ried off  by  that  gentleman,  it  may  h^ive  been  impracticable  to 
send  them  on  since,  if  even  it  had  been  proper,  while  he  re- 
mained at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.  I  have  written 
Major  Carleton,  and  requested  him  to  send  batteaux  to  Fort  Anne 
or  Fort  George,  if  he  can,  for  their  conveyance.  As  soon  as  I 
am  advised  of  his  determination,  the  necessary  measures  will  be 
taken.  The  accounts  of  cash  advanced  to  the  prisoners  in  Ca- 
nada, I  shall  do  myself  the  honor  to  transmit  to  his  Excellency, 
General  Washington. 

"  It  affords  me  great  satisfaction  to  learn  that  the  British  have 
at  length  found  it  prudent  to  follow  the  generous  example  ex- 
hibited to  them  by  the  Americans,  in  the  mild  treatment  with 
which  the  prisoners  in  the  power  of  the  latter  have  been  in- 
variably indulged  during  the  war. 

« It  is,  however,  a  justice  due  to  General  Carleton  and  his  sue 
cessors  to  declare  that,  from  all  accounts,  the  prisoners  immedi- 
ately in  their  power  have  been  treated  with  much  lenity. 

"  But  you.  Sir,  suppose  that  British  subjects  in  our  possession 
have  experienced  executions,  the  horrors  of  a  dungeon,  loaded 
with  irons,  and  the  miseries  of  want.  It  is  true  some  spies  have 
been  executed,  and  amongst  these  Major  Andro,  Adjutant  General 
of  the  British  army  under  the  command  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 
And  even  his  death,  although  justice  required  it,  and  the  laws 
of  nations  authorised  it,  was  and  is  lamented  by  us  with  a  feel- 
ino"  of  generosity  which  does  honor  to  human  nature.  Nonn 
have  experienced  the  horrors  of  a  dungeon,  or  been  loaded  with 
irons,  excepting  a  few  on  whom  it  was  thought  proper  to  retail 
ate  for  the  many,  the  very  many,  indeed,  of  ours,  whom  British 
cruelty  and  inhumanity  could  suffer  to  perish  for  want  in  dun- 
geons and  prison-ships,  loaded  with  irons  and  with  insults.  If 
you  are  ignorant  of  these  facts,  I  can  excuse  your  observations, 
if  not,  give  me  leave  to  tell  you  they  are  unworthy  the  gentleman 
and  the  officer,  and  evince  a  degree  of  disingenuousness  unbe- 
coming either. 

«  Tf  General  Haldimand  considers  the  governing  powers  ot 
these  States  to  have  been  guilty  of  a  breach  of  faith  with  regard 


1780.] 


EXCHANOES  OP   PKISONEHS. 


133 


o 


I  t:Z:'  'p  °f  ?•  "=  ""S'^'  "  "PP>y  '»  *-  in  regard 

"  The  newspapers  announce  that  a  general  exchanse  of  nri 
^rs^  settled  beW.     VVheUrer  it  fxtends  to  cZ^^l  Z 

"lam,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient, 
"  Humble  servant, 

"Peter  Gansevoort, 

To  Brigadier  General  Powell." 

Colonel  Gansevoort  to  Major  Carleton. 
«  S jjj^  "  Saratoga,  Nov.  26,  1780. 

«  This  will  be  delivered  yon  by  Major  Rosecrantz,  of  mv  reoi.. 
ment  who,  together  with  the  persons  named  in  my  pass  of  this 
day  s  date,  goes  as  a  flag  to  carry  th'^  letters  he  is  charged  v/ith 
and  to  return  with  your  answer.  ' 

"General  Powell's  letter  of  the  22d  September  last,  Captain 
Monsell's  of  the  19th,  and  your's  of  the  24th  ultimo,  ;er.  d  iT 
vered  me  about  noon  to-day. 

"I  have  left  the  letter  for  General  Powell  under  flyino-  seal 
for  your  perusal,  that  you  may  learn  my  determination  respect- 
ing  the  families  he  requested  to  have  sent.  Should  you  con- 
clude to  send  batteaux  for  them,  they  must  come  a.s  far  as  Fort 
Anne,  as  the  roads  to  Skeneshorough  are  impassable  for  carria<res 
or  to  the  farther  end  of  Lake  George,  which  would  be  much 
easier  for  the  women  and  children.  Their  number  amounts  to 
nearly  three  hundred ;  and  I  believe  tea  batteaux  will  be  aeces- 

♦  The  maxim  of  Colonel  Gansevoort  was,  ■•  his  country,  right  or  wronc  »  He 
Zlr:  h  ";''''«™;'-'>-t«'""g.h.,wover,  ,o  justify  the  course  ad^ted  by 
Con.  ess  touching  he  cartel  agreed  upon  by  General  Arnold  at  the  Cedars,  fn! 
deed,  the  v.olafon  of  the  st.pulations  made  on  that  occasion,  had  created  difficult  "s 
^  osard  to  exchanges  of  prisoners  durin,  the  whole  war.  It  was  freqnen,!  a 
wurce  of  embarrassment,  and  even  of  mortification,  to  General  Wa.hin-ton.  du.L 
the  course  ot  nearly  the  whole  war.  ^' 


hi 


N    i 


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ii*-. 


lift' 


7T 


ii!    ■! 


134 


LtPE   OP   ORANT. 


[1780. 


sary  to  carry  them  all  at  once.  You  will  please  to  give  direc- 
tions to  the  officer  whom  you  may  send  with  your  flag,  to  pass 
his  receipt  for  the  number  of  mun,  women,  and  children  which 
shall  be  delivered.  Pray  adviso  mo  on  what  day  you  think  the 
battoaux  will  arrive  at  the  placo  you  may  intend  to  send  them, 
that  I  may  so  arrange  niattors  as  to  cause  the  least  delay. 

"  A  certain  James  Van  Douson,  who  deserted  from  our  ser- 
vice to  you,  and  who,  since  you  were  on  this  side  the  lake, 
has  stolen  back  into  the  country,  has  been  apprehended,  and 
will  suffer  death  as  a  deserter.  He  confesses  that  after  the  ren- 
contre near  Fort  George,  with  some  of  Colonel  Warner's  men 
and  your  party,  in  which  ono  of  our  Indians  was  killed,  your 
Indians,  in  cool  blood,  scalped  ono  of  Warner's  men  alive,  tor- 
mented him  a  considerable  iimo.  and  afterward  cut  his  throat — 
and  all  this  in  your  presence.  Your  character.  Sir,  suffers 
greatly  on  this  account.  It  has  hitficrto  been  marked  by  con- 
duct the  reverse  of  this  sod  catcvstrophe ;  and  men  of  honor  are 
unwilling  to  believe  Van  Douson.  I  wish  you  to  explain  your- 
self to  me  on  the  subject. 

« I  am,  Sir, 

"  Youi'  most  obedient  and 
"  Humble  servant, 

"PfiTKR   GaNSEVOORT, 

"Col.  3d  N.  Y.Reg't. 
"  Major  Carleton.''^ 

Major  Carleton  to  Colonel  Gansevoort. 


"Sir, 


"  Mile  Bay,  Nov.  6th.  17S0. 


«  By  your  flag  I  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  of  the 
2d  instant,  with  one  directed  to  Rrig;adier  General  Powell.  Re 
specting  the  families  intended  to  be  sent  in,  I  answer  to  both. 
Being  entirely  ignorant  of  the  purport  of  Brigadier  Powell's  letter 
to  you  on  the  nubject,  and  having  no  instructions  from  General 
Haldimand  respecting  that  business,  lean  only  say  that  such  per- 
sons as  are  specified  in  the  Brigadier's  list  will  be  received,  pro- 
vided the  number  of  boats  mentioned  in  my  postscript  can  con- 
tain them.  Should  there  l)e  room  to  spare,  the  names  contain- 
ed in  the  enclosed  list,  or  as  many  of  them  as  can  be  taken  on 
board,  will  be  rcecivr;d.     My  bouts  shull  Iw  at  Skcnesborough  on 


irso.] 


INDIAN    CRUELTIES    DENIED. 


135 

the  9.h  where  they  shal.  remoin  till  the  H,h  at  night,  and  ,he„ 

"I  should  have  expected  Captain  Chapman  ,vo„id  have  ..iven 

»ne  r  ,°"T  '"  •""""  ^'"'  D<"«»'»  confession  No  p" 
jer  was  scaloed,  or  tortured  alive.  1  s,.ved  the  live,  of  several 
of  the  prisoners,  who  were  neither  stripped  nor  insultedT Ti 

«Iam,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient,  and 
"  Most  humble  servant, 
"Chr.  Carleton, 

«  Colonel  Gansevoort.  "  ^''^''  ^^^''  ^'S't- 

to  furnis.  more  than  ^  boal'"  C^lT  o  1^ ^^^^^ 
carry  up  the  last  families,  be  sent  down  with  these?"-    ^ 

No  farther  outrages  were  committed  on  the  northprn  .rA 
western  frontiers  durino- that  Antnmn  t^i  "^.'^^  «»d 
received  nf  Rmn.      Vu^  Autumn.     The  next  mformation 

received  of  Brant  and  his  associates,  was  brought  to  Port  Schuv 

ThPv  i^  "^^"'''^'^  ^"^°  ^'-^d  been  released  from^^a  '  I 

wtS^dt  thill    ^'''  °"/^  '^^  ^^"--b-  ^S' 

Weisenfeldts,  then  m  command,  caused  the  head  Indian  of  the 
pait^  whose  name  wa.  Jacob  Reed,  to  be  examined,  and  he 
whole  examination  was  transmitted,  as  taken  down  by  q    st Ln 

peered  that  Joseph  Brant,  Colonel  Butler,  and  Colonel  Guy 

«..os  for  the  bna  sK.tC.  of  the  expedU.onB  of  Carleton  and  Major  Haughton! 


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136 


LIFE    OP    BnANT. 


[1780. 


I 


Johnson,  were  then  in  their  old  winter-quarters  at  Niagara,    Of 
the  Oneida  warriors  only  thirty-seven  had  been  persuaded  to  join 
the  royal  cause  ;  one  of  whom  had  been  killed,  and  five  others 
had  returned  with  Reed.     The  forces  at  Niagara  at  this  time 
were  stated  to  be  sixty  British  regulars,  commanded  by  a  cap- 
tain ;   four  hundred  loyalists  commanded  by  Colonel  Butler, 
andtvelve  hundred  Indi-ms  (including  women  and  children,) 
commanded  by  Brant  and  Guy  Johnson.     One  of  the  objects  of 
the  late  expedition  to  the  Mohawk  was  stated  by  R«ed  to  be  the 
destruction  of  Schenectady ;  but  as  they  had  not  penetrated  so 
far,  Brunt   and  Johnson  were  meditating  another  campaign. 
The  prisoners  taken  from  Stone  Arabia,  after  reaching  Niagara, 
had  been  shipped  for  Buck  Island  in  the  river  St.  Lawrence ; 
but  from  the*  long  absence  of  the  vessel,  and  the  fragments  of 
a  wreck,  drums,  furniture,  <kc.,  which  had  been  washed  ashore, 
it  was  believed  that  she  had  been  lost,  and  that  all  on  board  had 
perished.    Reed  farther  stated,  that  as  soon  as  the  snow  was 
hard.  Brant,  with  five  or  six  hundred  warriors,  was  coming  to 
the  Oneida  coimtry,  in  order  to  keep  within  a  convenient  dis- 
tance for  sending  scouts  down  the  Mohawk.     One  of  their  ob- 
jects was  to  be  at  all  times  prepared  for  cutting  off  the  supplies 
proc3eding  for  the  garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler.    The  Indians  at 
Niagara,  according  "to  Reed's  account,  were  well  JDrovided  with 
every  thing  they  could  desire.*    But  it  was  far  otherwise  with 
Fort  Schuyler  at  this  time.     The  letters  of  General  Schuyler 
were  full  of  complaints,  not  only  of  the  diflicuUy  of  procuring 
provisions,  but  also  of  forwarding  them  to  the  outposts.      In 
one  of  his  letters,  written  at  that  period,  he  said  there  wii,s  not 
flour  enough  in  Fort  Schuyler  to  suffice  for  a  single  day's  con- 
sumption.! 

Thus  ended  the  Indian  campaigns  of  the  North  for  the  year 
1780.  There  were,  indeed,  other  petty  occurrences  on  the  out- 
skirts, alarms,  and  now  and  then  a  few  shots  exchanged  with 
a  straggling  Indian  or  Tory  scout.  But  no  other  ocjcurrence  of 
importance  within  the  range  of  the  present  history,  marked  the 
winter  then  closely  advancing.  And  never  did  winter  spread  his 
mantle  over  a  scene  of  greater  desolation  than  lay  beneath  it  in 
the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk. 


i! 


•  General  Clinton's  Monnscnnts. 


t  MSS.  of  General  Schuyler. 


CHAFPER  V. 


movement,  of  BranI   „ X  Mohawk  1  i^i-''""'^  "'  '^^  No^t'— Active 

da«-Lelter  of  ColonW  Clan °  Z,,?,    "  '^T'^."'''''''''''  "'""'^  "P""  ""'  0"''i- 
Srhuy|er-D,^«fmct7onofFo  t^^^  "'  >he  co.,ntry-Le.fer  of  General 

GrneVal  Clinton'/co?re°LnH'  '  "'  ^^  "T  ""^  f^^i-S»^P«^lom  of  design- 
in  the  North-  [ndSrofe^l.T''"'  ""  <^n>aBtrophe-Ho.tile  indicarion, 

appomted  to  th«  command  of  .Afhl'"';;--'''-"  '"  »''^"^'fy~CoIonel  Willett 
8nl-B„rnins  of  Cu7rrtown  R-H  /n  '^'^•"'^^'-•'I'ender  mean«  at  his  dispo- 
of <\inf.nn  \1'K».nn  I  ."~  •  ''r,"*^  D..ilaoh-D.f,.af  of  the  Indians-Death 
Wili;,'^  "inflnence~on't.r,  '7"  P"'"!'!"-Willett'.s  I.„er  to  WashinoVon- 
ne«,hof  SmnNJ^^oodith'^qr  '"'"-"-Hn'tle  near  .he  German  Ffatt"- 
ster  Conntv  hyn"  linn  and  fc^^-''  o''"  ^-^"'r!'""  Sh,H-Tnva«ion  of  Ul- 
individual  bra/ery^nddema^or the  Keiay^rde?"''"'^"-^"'''''^^  ^-«  «^ 

The  sun  of  the  new  year  was  veiled  by  a  cloud  of  deeper 
gloom  than  had  previously  darkened  the  prospects  of  the  Ameri- 
can  arms  at  any  period  of  the  contest.     The  whole  anny.  in  all 

everely  both  for  clothms:  and  provisions.     Indeed,  the  accumtf 
ated  suffenngs  and  privations  of  "the  army  constitute  a  larc^e 
and  interestu,g  portion  of  the  history  of  the  war  of  American 
";^«P«ndence.    At  the  date  now  under  review,  Winter,  with- 
out ,T,uch  lessenmg  the  toils  of  the  soldiers,  was  adding  to 
their  suffenngs.     They  were  perpetually  on  the  point  of  starv- 
•mg,  were  often  entirely  without  food,  were  exposed  without 
proper  clothing  to  the  rigors  of  the  season,  and  had,  moreover, 
now  served  almost  twelve  months  without  pay."»    Such  wa^ 
the  general  fact.     The  Pen.  sylvania  troops  had  still  farther 
grievances  of  which  to  complain.     They  had  been  enlisted  in 
ambiguous  terms-to  "serve  three  years,  or  during  the  war." 
A    the  expiration  of  the  stipulated  period,  "three  years,"  the 
soldier  ckimed  his  discharge,  while  the  officers  insisted  upo'a 
holding  him  to  the  other  condition  of  the  contract.     The  con- 
sequence  was  great  dissatisfaction,  increased,  of  course,  by  the 
miich  higher  bounties  snbsequent/y  paid  for  enlistments. 

1  he  Pennsylvania  line,  consis-ing  of  six  regiments,  was  can- 
toned  at  Morristown,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Briga- 


:■■} 


VOL.  II. 


♦  Marshall's  Lifo  of  \Vashii.;;;i()n. 


i      )  I 


I 


i 


' 


I 


! 


138 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


dior  General  Woyne.     So  long  had  they  been  brooding  over 
tlieir  wrongs,  so  intense  had  become  their  sufferings,  and  so  dis- 
couraging; were  the  prospects  of  remedy  or  redress,  that  the  dis- 
contents which,  down  to  tlie  last  day  of  the  preceding  year,  liad 
only  been  nurtured,  broke  out  into  open  mutiny  on  the  evenmg 
of  the  next.     The  spirit  of  insubordination  was  from  the  first  so 
decided,  and  the  evidences  of  revolt  were  so  general,  as  at  once  tc 
jeopard  the  cause.     An  effort  was  made  to  quell  the  rautmy,  in 
the  course  of  which  several  of  the  turbulent  soldiers  wero 
wounded,  as  also  were  some  of  the  officers,  who  were  endeavor 
ing  to  repress  the  disorder.     One  of  the  officers.  Captain  Billings, 
was  killed.     But  the  cause  of  the  revolt  was  too  deeply  seated, 
and  the  disaffection  too  extensive,  to  b^  easily  overcome.     Even 
Wayne  himsdf,  the  favorite  of  the  Pennsylvanians,  was  without 
power.     Drawing  a  pistol  and  threatening  one  of  the  most  tur- 
bulent of  the  revolters,  a  bayonet  was  presented  at  his  own  bo- 
som.*    In  a  word,  the  authority  of  the  commissioned  officers 
was  at  an  end.     The  non-commissioned  officers  were  generally 
engaged  in  the  mutiny,  and  one  of  their  number  being  appointed 
Commander-in-chief,  they  moved  off  in  the  direction  of  Phila- 
delphia, with  their  arms  and  six  pieces  of  artillery—deaf  to  the 
arguments,  the  entreaties,  and  the  utmost  efforts  of  their  officers 
to°change  their  purposes.!    As  a  last  resort,  Wayne  and  his  offi- 
cers attempted  to  divide  them,  but  without  effect.     Those  who 
at  first  appeared  reluctant,  were  soon  persuaded  to  unite  with 
their  comrades,  to  march  upon  Philadelphia  and  demand  a  re- 
dress of  their  wrongs  at  the  doors  of  Congress. 

*  Marshnll. 

+  Letter  of  Washington  to  President  Weare  of  New  Hampshire.  This  was  a 
letter  urging  upon  the  government  of  New  Hampshire  to  make  some  exertion  to  ro 
lieve  the°dirtresses  of  the  army.  A  cireiilar  wag  sei.c  to  all  the  New  England  States 
to  the  same  effect,  and  confided  to  General  Knox,  as  a  special  agent  to  enforce  the 
appeal.  To  President  Weare,  the  Commander-in-chief  said,  plainly  :— "I  give  it 
deddodly  as  my  opinion,  that  it  is  in  vain  to  think  an  army  can  be  kept  together 
much  longer  under  such  a  variety  of  sufferings  as  ours  has  experienced ;  and  that  un- 
less some' immediate  and  spirited  measures  are  adopted  to  furnish  at  least  three 
months'  pay  to  the  troops  in  money,  which  will  be  of  some  value  to  them,  and  at  the 
same  time  provide  ways  and  means  to  clothe  and  feed  them  better  than  they  have 
been,  the  worst  that  can  befall  us  may  l,e  expected."  The  Legislatures  of  Massa- 
chusetts  and  New  Hampshire  nobly  responded  to  the  call,  and  immediately  voten  a 
gratuity  of  twenty-four  dollars  in  hard  money  to  each  of  the  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  belonging  to  those  States,  who  were  engaged  to  serve  during  the 
war. — Spwrks. 


1781.]  REVOLT   OP   THE   PENNSYLVANIA    LINE.  139 

los.  that  would  have  been  severe  of  itself.     But  the  most  un 
pleasant  apprehensions  arose  from  the  danger  not  onlvTa  Z" 

but  that  the  mutmeers  might  fail  away  in  a  body  to  the  enemv 
who  would,  of  course,  lose  not  a  moment  m  avaLg  h  n^e  f  ol" 
such  a  diversion  m  his  favor.     Coercive  measures  havinTf  Ld 
to  brmg  the  revolters  back  to  the  path  of  duty,  Wayne  vvith  his 
prmcipal  officers,  determined  to  follow  close  upon    hd    ret 

wtt  vntu"  '''Trr  °' '''''  p-'-  should  s;tid:  t^ 

what  vntue  might  be  found  in  the  arts  of  persuasion  The 
General  overtook  them  at  night  in  the  neighborliood  o ^Middle 
brook,  bnt  being  advised  in  their  present  tLper  not  to  venture" 
among  them,  he  invited  a  deputation  of  one  sergeant  "om  each 
regiment  to  meet  him  in  consultation.  The  dohbera  ionTwere 
amicable,  and  the  General  suggested  a  mode  of  obtaining  Xs 
of  their  grievances,  which  satisfied  the  delegates,  who,  on  /etir! 

to  dutr  R  .  H  ''"'  *''"  "'"^"^^  ^"  ^""^"-"^^  ^he  men  back 
o  duty.    But  the  attempt  was  ineffectual ;  and  on  the  day  fol- 

lowing  the   mutineers  marched  to  Princeton-the   few  who 
were  well  disposed  and  willing  to  separate  from  the  mutineers' 
ontinuing  with  the  majority  at  the  request  of  their  officers,  in 
he  hope  that  their  exertions  might  "  moderate  the  violence  of 
their  leaders,  and  check  the  contagion  of  their  example." 
The  crisis  was  most  critical.     The  Commander-in-chief,  on 
receiving  the  first  advices  of  the  revolt,  was  disposed  to  repair 
at  once  to  the  camp  of  the  mutineers;  but  on  advisement  and 
reflection,  this  course  was  relinquished.     The  complaints  of  the 
Pennsylvania  line,  in  regard  to  destitution  of  provisions  and 
clothing,  were  common  to  the  whole  army,  and  it  was  doubtful 
how  far  the  contagion  of  disaffection  might  already  have  spread 
Z      .V^^  Commander-in-chief,  whose  head-quarters  were 
at  New  Windsor,  venture  upon  a  visit  to  the  mutineers,  without 
taking  with  him  a  sufficient  force  to  compel  obedience  to  his 
commands  should  the  exertion  of  force  become  necessary.     But 
a  sufficient  body  of  troops  for  such  an  object  could  not  be  spared 
without  leaving  the  fortresses  in  the  Highlands  too  weak  to  resist 
an  attack  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  who  would  be  sure  to  strike 
upon  thoso^  important  works  at  the  first  favorable  moment. 
he  river  being  free  from  ice,  Sir  Henry  would  possess  every 


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LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1781. 


facility  for  such  a  movement  the  instant  the  back  of  "VS  iishing- 
ton  should  be  turned  upon  the  North.  Under  all  the  circum- 
stances  of  the  case,  therefore,  the  Commander-in-chief  remained 
at  his  post,  neglecting,  however,  no  measure  of  justice  within 
his  power  to  heal  the  discontents,  or  of  precaution  to  prevent 
their  farther  extension. 

Meantime  the  mutineers  remained  several  days  at  Princeton, 
refusing  to  proceed  to  the  Delaware  and  cross  into  Pennsylva- 
nia, while  Sir  Henry  Clinton  made  every  disposition  to  avail 
himself  of  the  revolt,  and  lost  not  a  moment  in  despatching 
emissaries  to  their  camp,  with  tempting  offers  to  induce  them  to 
jom  the  ui-mies  of  the  King.  But,  mutineers  as  they  were,  they 
nevertheless  spurned  the  proposition  ;  and  retaining  the  emis- 
saries in  custddy,  handed  the  commvmications,  of  which  they 
were  the  bearers,  over  to  General  Wayne.  Though  in  rebellion 
against  their  officers,  the  soldiers  were  nevertheless  indignant  at 
the  idea  of  turning  their  arms,  as  Arnold  had  done,  against  their 
own  country ;  and  those  about  them  who  were  well  disposed, 
availed  themselves  of  the  occasion,  with  much  address,  to  im- 
press upon  their  minds  the  magnitude  of  the  insult  conveyed 
in  propositions  made  to  them  in  the  character  of  traitors.* 

News  of  the  revolt  had  no  sooner  reached  Philadelphia,  than 
a  committee  was  appointed  by  Congress,  consisting  of  General 
SuUivan^t  and  two  other  gentlemen,  in  conjunction  with  Presi- 
dent Reed  on  behalf  of  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  to  meet 
the  revolters,  and  attempt  to  bring  them  back  to  reason.  The 
demands  of  the  mutineers  were  exorbitant,  but  were  in  the 
end  acceded  to  with  some  unimportant  modifications.  They 
then  moved  forward  to  Trenton,  and  in  the  end,  although 
better  things  were  anticipated  from  the  stipulations  agreed  upon, 
the  Pennsylvania  line  was  almost  entirely  disbanded.  A  volun- 
tary performance,  by  Congress,  of  much  less  than  was  yielded 

*  Tire  days  after  their  arrival  among  the  mutineers,  viz.  on  the  11th  of  January, 
Bir  Henry's  emissaries  were  tried  by  a  court-martial,  and  executed. 

f  Very  soon  after  he  left  the  army,  at  the  close  of  the  Seneca  campaign,  General 
BuUivan  was  elected  to  Congress,  of  which  body  he  was  an  efficient  and  patriotic 
mtftnber.  Afterward,  in  tlie  years  1786,  1797,  and  1783,  he  was  President  of  New 
Hampshire,  in  which  situation,  by  his  vigorous  exertion?,  he  quelled  the  spirit  of  in- 
surrection which  exhibited  itself  at  the  lime  of  the  troubles  with  Shays  in  Massa 
chusetts.    It  17S2  he  was  appointed  a  District  Judge.    He  died  in  1795,  aged  54. 


1781.J 


REVOLT   OP  THE    NEW   JERSEY   LINE. 


141 

di;;I;:„T"''"'  "°"^'  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^e  evU,  ana  saved  the 

Jersey  nne,  then  slatioiicd  al  Pomnton  m  (hli i     ■.  j 

pie ;  and  on  .he  ni.ht  of  the  2^7,:!  .  '"  '"^  """"^ 
•he  brigadfe  rose  in  ™  Their  .,°^  "  '"'•S"  P""'""  °f 
Jan..  aTthose  which  l^^nyZTZZZr'r''-  '"' 

iiie^  )n  future     A<:trnn^^„*    i  "^"^<^'iwtne  like  proceed- 

-e^!  against  the  int^^t^s  t  o  n":!  How""^  T  """"'"^'^ 
.0  malte  no  terms  wh'atsoeve'r  wh  el^Tolir^  TTri 
resistance.     General  Hnwn  ,„     e  !i.     •  *^°""""^d  m  a  state  of 

of  .he  H..,ead:rid:r:.  r :: rstt  '°r  ■"r 

'"vv.     ine  mutinous  brigade  retnmpH  tn.  i*^  a  *  , 

woh  vigorous  measures  were  taken  bvth!?  ^?  '' '  ""'' 

the  wants  of  tlic  armv  ,.,  off    .     n     T  ^"'"^  ."  ^PPly 

diseontentt  ButTtw^  „nl  h?,h  ^°'""^'"^  ""^  P'"-''^-" 
n>en.  that  those  su'p'pZ  ctX trutSr' 1,''"''^ 
discontents,  thouffh  less  immpHi.f.i  ""«=  ^'^o"^  the  people,  whose 
.-,  a.  !«;.  as  h^ad  tnThrSl  tr^'  ''""  -™«- 
openL?„T.h°:tw:rrT:t  °f«''"»'y  Clinton,  on  a,e    ' 

under  S.e  cond,  Jof  GeiS  ImoT  Th"  "^r' ^"«"i«. 
in  fact,  sailed  fmm  New  Y^  iTt^  j  7  "  "*-'™'»'  had, 

hu.  he  did  no.  enTr  *:  ci^stftr"' if„Xl'^™.-^'' 
Januar^-ianaing  at  WesLr  orJ'Z^^'t'ZSt 

w  i«.n  of  .,™„,  .„d  ,ha,  u,™  ...ruLn^"    "  ""f""™'  "f  litany ..  <i^r 

)  Si,  H™^,  Cir„,„„  1»,^^  ,r.,ST"'"'i'^  'ri"  "  ""  "•""  ™  "■•  SP"n" 
1  -nivT,  „ju,  ivnon,  j,^  ^jgj_  .  -I- —  w  -.tic  11X31  Aai»> 


<l««ia'* 


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142 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


R.ichmond,  and  after  some  trilling  skirmishes  on  the  way,  de- 
stroyf'l  the  stores  at  that  place,  and  also  at  Westliani ;  where- 
upoii  lie  retired  to  Norfolk.     Tliis  was  a  mere  predatory  expo 
dition,  attended  by  no  important  result.     Farther  south,  events 
were  continually  occurring  of  greater  moment.    General  Greene 
having  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  that  .I'Miartmenl,  after  the 
signal  discomfiture  of  Gates,  affairs  soon  wort;  a  brighter  aspect. 
The  loss  of  the  battle  of  Camden,  a  few  months  before,  was 
balanced,  and,  in  its  moral  effect,  more  than  balanced,  by  the 
decisive  victory  over  Tarleton,  achieved  by  General  Morgan  at 
the  Cowpens  on  the  ITth  of  January.     And  although  Greene 
was  defeated  at  Guilford  on,the  15th  of  March,  yet  the  victory 
was  too  dearly  won  by  Earl  Cornwallis  to  render  it  a  just  occasion 
of  triumph.    .So  likewise  in  the  repulse  of  Greene  by  Lord  Raw- 
don  at  Camden,  owing  to  the  misconduct  of  the  mil  itia,  the  British 
commander  was  nevertheless  so  roughly  handled  that,  although 
hereceived  a  reinforcement  in  thecourse  of  the  following  night,  he 
deemed  it  expedient  to  destroy  the  town,  and  retire  farther  down 
the  Santee.     But  these  apparent  disadvantages  were  amply 
compensated  by  the  masterly  manojuvres  of  Greene,  and  the 
brilliant  succession  of  victories  over  the  smaller  works  and  de- 
tachments of  the  enemy.    In  these  latter  affairs,  Forts  Watkin- 
son,  Orangeburgh,  Motte,  Silver  Bluff,  Granby,  and  Cornwallis 
were  successively  taken,  and  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  evacu- 
ate other  forts.     Lord  Rawdon  was  likewise  obliged  to  fall  back 
upon  Charleston,  ivhile  Cornwallis  was  pursuing  a  doubtful 
march  into  Virginia.     The  great  disadvantage  labored  under 
by  General  Greene,  was  the  necessity  of  depending  in  a  great 
measure  upon  the  militia— not  having  regular  troops  sufficient 
to  cope  with  the  veterans  from  Europe.    But,  though  not  always 
victorious  in  battle,  he  was  invariably  so   in  the  results.     And 
his  masterly  movements  proved  him  far  in  advance  of  any  of 
his  antagonists,  in  all  the  requisites  of  an  able  commander. 

But  while  events  thus  propitious  to  the  American  arms  were 
occurring  at  the  South,  the  aspect  of  affairs,  as  has  already  beer, 
seen,  was  sadly  discouraging  at  the  North.  In  addition  to  the 
destitution  of  the  main  army,  causing  the  insurrections  in  the 
Pennsylvania  and  New-Jersey  lines,  so  wretchedly  supplied 
were  the  small  garrisons  from  Albany  northward  and  westward, 
both  ip  respect  to  food  and  clothing,  that  it  was  only  with  the 


.(•»••• 
'•««»» 


1781.]  niSCOUUAGEMENTS    AT   THE    NORTH.  143 

Utmost  dimculty  that  the  officers  could  keep  the  soldiers  upon 
duty     lluwured  as  the  whole  Mohawk  country  had  been\h« 
pr^ce  ,ngSuuu„er  andAuturnn,uo  supplies  2!:^^^^^ 
'      tt  1    If'"""'^  ^"^  "'"^  impoverished  inhabUauts  remaining  iu 
£"u  t'Hn'  "''''  f  ""^  «I""lIy  difficult  to  procurlfu" 
It  IS  painful  to  read  the  private  correspondence  of  General 
Sc  uyier,  and  Governor  .uid  General  Clinton  upon  ths  suTSt 
Orders  lor  nnpressing  provisions  were  freely  issued,  partSv 

increased  .n  numbers  m  that  section  of  the  country ;  but  some 

General  Schuyler  that  they  had  nothing  more  for  their  oln 
support.  Meantime,  emboldened  by  his  successes  he  p  e  ed  ^" 
year,  the  enemy  hung  around  the  skirts  of  the  settlements Tf 
pn,ach,ng  almost  beneath  the  very  guns  of  the  fort  cvSg^ff 
all  commumcanon  with  them,  unless  by  means  of  string  ecfrl 
0  hat  It  was  difficult  and  often  impossible  even  to  Z  .2 
scanty  supples  into  the  garrisons  as  could  be  obtained 

The  One,das  having  been  driven  from  their  country  the  pre- 
ceding  year,  even  the  slight  barrier  against  irruptionsfrom  'the 
more  western  tribes,  who  were  all  hostile,   into  the  MohawU 
country,  afforded  by  that  slender  people,  wos'gone     Onte  i^h 
of  January,  the  scouts  of  Thayendancgea  apj-eared  openly  n 
the  German  Flatts,  and  attacked  some  of  the  inhabitants     Dur 
l'T.rTu  «^^«b-^-y  -d  March,  Brant  was  ho ve^"" 
about  the  Mohawk,  ready  to  spring  upon  every,  load  of  sp 
phes  destined  for  Forts  Plain,  DayL,and  SchTiZr   ItZ 
trongly  g^^arded,  and  cutting  off"  every  straggling  so  dk"  or  i^ 
habitant  so  unfortunate  as  to  fall  within  hisfrasp' 

Culn'f^'^fu^"''^'  ^^'^j"'  ^^^'^«'^«  ^^^'^  ^^'ote  to  General 
Clinton,  from  Schenectady,  informing  him  that  a  party  of  fifrn 
0  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt's  regiment,  at  Fort  Schuyl  r  L 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  Brant's  Indians ;  and  on  the  2d  of  Anril 

71  ^l  T  I'  '^"  '^"^"  '^"^^-^y^d  chieftain  made  prisoners 
iLt  ,H  f  ''^'"'"'  from  that  garrison  of  sixteen  men.  Th" 
difficulty  of  transporting  the  provisions,  however,  the  unbeaten 

rrri^r  ^:'''^'  'f  ^°  .-atlyretard^d  the;rorri: 
.n.,  .coats,  tx.ai  the  intrepid  warrior  was  disappointed  in  this 


c::> 


« 1  ^  ■ 


.    ^...•;^     .^ 

^       f 

!| 

c  ■■;. 

II 

-  ;i 

r-**  ■  ;# 

i 

m 


m 


144 


LIFE   OF   URANT. 


[1781. 

portion  of  the  spoils,  having,  ns  it  subsequenily  nj  peared,  at- 
tempted      strike  too  soon. 

But  the  himicd  Oneidas,  notwithstanding  the  neutrality  of  the 
greater  part  of  them,  were  not  alto^  >ther  safe  in  their  new  posi- 
tion near  Schenectady.  It  seems  to  have  chafed  both  Brant  and 
his  employers,  that  a  single  tribe  of  Indians  had  been  detached 
from  their  influence  or  service ;  and  their  destruction  mxH  again 
seri I 'Usly  meditated,  with  the  sanction  of  Sir  Frederick  Haldi- 
mand,  as  will  more  fully  appear  by  the  annexed  letter  from  Colo- 
nel Daniel  Claus,  th-  brother-in-law  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  to 
Captain  Brant. 

(/OLONEL  Claus  vo  Captain  Brant. 

"  Montreal,  3d  March,  1781. 

"Dear  Joseph, 

"  Captain  John  Odeserundiye,  about  a  month  ago,  showed  me 
a  letter  he  received  from  you,  with  a  proposal  to  him  about  the 
Oneidas,  telling  me  he  had  answered  you  that  he  would  join 
you  Avith  his  party  about  the  20th  of  this  month,  desiring  me  at 
the  same  time  to  keep  it  a  secret  from  the  Mohawk  Indians  and 
others,  for  fear  of  beinsr  made  public  ;  he  then  asked  me  where 
the  Oneidas  now  lived,  which  then  I  could  not  tell  him ;  but 
since  that  I  was  informed  that  the  re])els  had  posted  themselves 
at  a  place  called  Palmerstown,  about  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  west 
of  Saraghtoga,  of  which  I  acquainted  His  Excellency  General 
Haldimand,  together  with  your  intentions  and  plan ;  whereupon 
I  received  His  Excellency's  answer  enjoining  the  utmost  secrecy 
to  me,  and  which  I  hereby  give  you  in  the  words  of  his  letter, 
by  Captain  Mathews  his  secretary,  and  is  the  occasion  of  this 
express. 

«  His  Excellency,  General  Haldimand,  commands  me  to  ac- 
« quaint  you  that  Captain  Brant's  intention  meets  highly  with 
"his  approbation,  and  wishes  to  assist  it ;  which  might  be  done 
"from  this  place  in  the  following  manner,  but  the  General  de- 
«  sires  you  will  keep  it  inviolably  secret.  He  has  for  some  time 
« intended  sending  a  party  of  about  sixty  chosen  loyalists,  under 
« the  command  of  Major  Jessnp,  toward  Fort  Edward  :  this  party 
"rmo-ht  join  Joseph  against  Palmerstown  could  he  ascertain  the 
« time  and  place,  which  might  be  nearly  done  by  calculating  the 


i 


(I 


irsi.] 


LETTER   OP  COLONEL   CLAUfJ. 


145 

"  It  h'r  ''^?'  '^""''^  ''^'  *°  ^^'"«  ^^'"n  Cnrleton  Island-hi, 
"  march  from  thonce,  and  Major  Jossim's  from  Pnin  n 

Should  you  upon  this  ndopt  the  Gonoraiv  ..ff...  .r  i     •  • ' 
and  proce^  from  Carieton  IsiLd  to  T^lw  t''  S; '^S 
I  am  sure  several  of  Major  Ross's  men  and  othe  .  ' "     .st 
are  well  acquainted  with,  I  xvish  von  the  aid  nC  P       a  ? 

all  the  success  imaginable ,  in  l.ch  ctelt  wUl'  h^       ''7;^ 

her.,  .„d  «>:„,„  y„„  h'L  y;  „^  'T  ,lr  In?.    T"" 
.he  „.h.r,  here  „re  we,,,  and'a^l^'L     ^andl  .f"'  '!,?J 

"  Yours  most  sincerely, 

"P.  S.    The  great  advantage  of  setting  ont  frnm  r.r-Uf 
Is  and  „  fte  rou.e,  wl,ich  i,  S  unexpected  „    ^  ha.^h  t  fa 
hwdly  any  doubt  but  you  will  surprise  them  whi^hT 
pom.  gained      Wherea.,  were  you  I Z  lu,";;.  c'n  da"  £' 
ore  so  many  friends,  both  whites  and  Indians  to  the  ,,^7' 

-;5'::/:^ryrer.;:t°-;::-r^^^^^ 

The  narrative  is  therefore  resumed.  executed. 

So  great,  and  so  i-::;ucrsai,  wa^  the  distress  for  provisions, 


•  a 


•Mil 

m 


C„4 


in 


c:.:> 


Ml, 


t '/ 

il 

,    iJW 

.;■(•': 

I:.'^r 

i':t : 

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'  '■ 

,  m 

1 

H 

H 

r  4'i 

i^^^^^^i 

:i^ 

^^^H 

'^H 

i 

■ 

.1 

i-i«|^ 

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.';ii:.:^^^H 

"J  ^^^1 

t 

.  ^^H 

^^^^^^^^1 

r^'^^H 

■ 

m 

^^m 

II 


i 
il 


f; 


146 


LIFE  OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


already  adverted  to,  that,  on  the  29th  of  March,  General  Clinton 
wrote  to  the  Governor,  "  I  am  hourly  under  apprehensions  that 
"  the  remaining  different  posts  occupied  for  the  defence  of  the 
«  frontiers  of  this  ^State,  will  be  abandoned,  and  the  country 
"  left  open  to  the  ravages  of  the  enemy."  Such  continued  suf- 
fering of  course  produced  disaffection  in  this  department  also  ; 
and  the  greatest  possible  prudence  was  required,  on  the  part  of 
the  officers,  to  prevent  desertions  of  whole  bodies.  So  critical 
was  their  situation,  that  in  a  letter  to  the  Governor,  of  May  3d, 
General  Clinton  mentions  the  fact,  that  a  small  scout,  commanded 
by  a  corporal,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  George,  having  cap- 
tured a  party  of  the  enemy,  "  with  a  packet,  had  been  bribed  to 
"  release  them  for  a  guinea  each  and  two  silk  handkerchiefs." 
Still  worse  than  this  was  the  fact  that  the  General  was  afraid  to 
proceed  openly  to  punish  the  delinquency.  On  the  5th  General 
Clinton  again  wrote  to  the  Governor — "  From  the  present  ap- 
"  pearance,  I  am  convinced  that  the  troops  will  abandon  the 
"  frontier.  It  is  absurd  to  suppose  they  can  or  will  exist  under 
"the  present  circumstances.  However,  let  what  will  be  the 
"  consequences,  I  have  nothing  to  reproach  myself  with.  I  have 
"  repeatedly  called  for  assistance  from  every  quarter,  but  could 
«  obtain  none."  On  the  8th  of  May,  General  Schuyler,  writing 
from  Saratoga,  said — "  I  wrote  you  this  morning,  since  which, 
"  finding  the  troops  exceedingly  uneasy,  Colonel  Van  Vechten 
"  and  I  turned  out  each  one  of  the  best  cattle  we  had ;  the  meat 
«  proved  better  than  was  expected,  but  the  soldiers  still  continue 
"  troublesome  ;  they  have  hung  part  of  it  t  i  a  pole  with  a  red 
"  flag  above  a  white  one,  and  some  of  them  hold  very  alarming 
«  conversation.  I  dread  the  consequences,  as  they  can  so  easily 
"  join  the  enemy.  If  a  body  of  nine-months  men  were  here,  it 
"  would  probably  deter  the  others  from  going  off  to  the  north- 
«  ward,  [the  enemy  mear'  ig,]  if  they  should  have  such  an  in- 
«« tention." 

Great  blame  was  imputed  to  Congress,  and  likewise  to  the 
State  governments,  for  avowing  the  commissariat  to  come  to 
such  a  deplorable  pass.  The  resources  of  the  country  were 
known  to  be  abundant  for  the  cf  fortable  sustenance  of  a  much 
larger  army  than  Wi^  at  that  time  in  'he  field ;  but  the  efficient 
action  of  Congress  was  fettered  by  .cs  want  of  power.  The 
States,  icaloTis  of  their  own  sovereignty,  had  withholden  from 


1781.]  DISCOURAGEMENTS   AT  THE   NORTH.  147 

the  central  government  powers  whicli  were  essential  to  the  vicro 
rous  prosecution  of  the  war,  while  it  was  but  seM  m  hatZ* 
could  be  brought  into  a  simultaneous  and  harmonious  exerdon 

Stt  n/  '^^'  '"^  ''''  co-^Plicated  embarrassments  under 

w        S  m  trir"  T'^''^'  ''  ^^^"-^'^  ^-'"^^  ^he  whole 
w.  r.    j5till,  the  blame  did  not  rest  wholly  with  the  Stato. 

rhere  were  .jealousies,  and  heart-burnings,  and  ntri ^ue.  t  he 

oxten  the  subject  of  bitter  complaint  in  the  letters  of  the  Tom 
mander-m-chief.     The  following  letter  from  General  SchuyTr" 
b^ars  hard  upon  the  officers  of  the  federal  government,  wh  I 

It  th  r  '\^'^''''  '^'  ^^^^^'^^  destitution  of  th^  count^ 

at  the  north,  at  ihe  period  under  consideration :-  ^ 

General  Schuyler  to  General  Clinton. 
"Dear  Sir,  "  ^^ratoga,  May  ISth,  1781. 

lasIIZinrThl'd'f  "''"^'  ^"P^^'"  ^^^"-  d^'--d  - 
last  evenmg.     The  distress  occasioned  by  the  want  of  nrovi 

sions  in  every  quarter  is  truly  alarming,  but  was  the  nCa 
consequence  of  such  a  system  as  was  adopted  for  ^ipp  y^^^^^^^^^ 
army.     It  ,s  probable,  if  we  should  be  able  to  continue  th^wa 
ten  years  longer,  that  our  nilers  will  learn  to  conduct  it  J^h 
propriety  and  economy ;  at  present  they  are  certainly  ^orar^^ 
es.     Not  a  barrel  of  meat  or  fish  is  to  be  had  in  this  nrrter 
notT     """'^  of  silver  was  to  be  offered  for  it,  and  a'sle  o 
s  not  above  a  quarter  of  the  flour  or  wheat  sufficient  for  the 
use  0    the  inhabitants,  it  would  be  needless  to  appont  person 
he.^to  impress  those   articles.     I  therefore  reil^Zk 

"It  is  probable  that  some  flour  may  be  obtained  in  the  neicrh- 
borhood  of  Schaghticoke,  and  1  am  certain  that  a  ver^ X 
^derab  e  quantity  of  both  wheat  and  flour  is  lodged  in  ATbanv 
Ma,or  T  ush  could  employ  his  assistant  at  the  former  pi a^  and 
slTlto,:r"%'"  ''?  ''^"^^  '''''"'  --^  '-*S  A 
t  oops  here,  b.it  tha.  ,s  already  expended.     If  there  is  any  beef 

parrj  ot  nmp-muntns  men  under  an  active  spirited  oflicer,  to  im- 


•tail 

* 


,1"'    .' 

'"I  :» 


•**:  »* 


Vslll"*' 


r  ,1 

""  I* 


Mi 


'I 


i  fK 


•%\ 


r  •»  . 


■ 

'...  . 

■ 

1 

1 

fill 

'  ''■:  ''^Bl 

I 

I 


.! 


1:^ 


148 


LIFE  OF  BUANT. 


[1781. 


press  a  number  of  wagons  at  Kinderhook  and  Claverack,  and  to 
attend  them  to  the  former  places,  and  back  again  to  the  respec- 
tive landings  of  the  latter  on  Hudson's  river.  If  an  opportunity- 
offers,  pray  send  me  some  paper,  us  this  is  my  last  sheet.  Cap- 
tain Arson  is  not  yet  returned  from  Jossup's. 

"  I  am,  dea*-  Sir, 

•'  Yjurs  sincerely,  (fee.  dec. 

"  Ph.  Schuyler. 
«  Gen.  Clinton?' 

It  was,  i'^leed,  a  trying  situation  for  brave  and  patriotic  offi- 
cers to  find  themselves  in  command  •"'f  troops,  driven,  by  desti- 
tution, to  the  very  point  of  going  over  to  the  enemy  almost  in  a 
bod^  But  another  dishoarfxjiiing  occurrence  was  at  hand.  The 
works  of  Fort>  Schuyler,  having  become  much  out  of  repair, 
sustained  great  injury  by  the  swelling  of  the  waters  in  the  early 
part  of  May.  A  council  of  ollicors  WJis  convened  by  Ll.  Colo- 
nel Cochran,  then  in  command,  on  the  12th  of  that  month,  to 
inquire  and  report  what  should  \n  done  in  the  premises.  The 
council  represented  that  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  works  had 
been  broken  down  by  the  flood,  and  tliat  the  residue  would  be 
in  the  same  condition  in  a  very  tow  days  ;  that  the  only  remain- 
ing strength  of  the  fort  was  to  be  found  in  the  outside  pickets 
on  the  glacis ;  and  that  the  strength  of  the  garrison  was  alto- 
gether inadequate  to  attempt  to  rebuild  or  repair  the  works,  for 
which  purpose  five  or  six  hundred  men,  with  an  engineer,  arti- 
ficers, <kc.  would  be  indispensalily  necessary. 

But  even  if  the  works  were  not  altogether  indefensible  on  the 
12th,  they  were  rendered  so  on  '  o  following  day,  when  all  that 
had  been  spared  by  the  deluge  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Intelli- 
gence of  this  disaster  was  received  by  General  Clinton  at  Alba- 
ny, on  the  16th,  in  a  letter  from  Colonel  Cochran,  The  follow- 
ing is  an  extract  from  General  Clinton's  reply  to  that  officer, 
from  which  it  appears  a  strong  suspicion  was  entertained  thfit  the 
conflagration  was  the  work  of  design — a  suspicion  that  was 
never  removed: — "  I  have  just  receivejd  your  favors  of  the  13ih 
"and  14th  instants,  with  the  disagreeable  intelligence  contained 
"  m  them.  I  cannot  find  words  to  express  my  surprise  at  the 
"  unexpected  accident,  or  how  a  fire  should  break  out  at  noon- 
"day,  in  a  garrison  where  the  troops  could  not  possibly  be  ab- 


1781.] 


BURNINO    OF   PORT   SCHUYLER. 


149 


":rXS:*:ir— -»  or «...  a.. 

"examined  in  acloser  rX  „f   ■  f^.'     ''™  "  '°™^  '<>  ^ 

•' upon  i.  as  :i,"ervi;ltpro;r  ^^^i;-;  ™a,  t.  .h.„„ 

"loo much  reason.  I hav,- ,vr,(,en  to  hif"  ,  """■"  "PP""" 
"ject.  and  requested  liisl,  "  "  rf  rs  l.^^T  ""''' ™ '"" ™''- 
"days  ;  in  .he  meantime  I  toulfr^™"!  ."'''".'"  "  ''"' 

ool^rdtrLr  o;rsi;:,:::;:?dt^r  -' 

maer  the  circumstances  of  the  case   cfT  a     ■  '='^'™<^y. 
...opther,  »d  fallin,  hack  u^nTon^H^nt^^^On  1^^^^ 

i:rn|^^L\-~ '°  *■'=  -----.-r: 

General  Clinton  to  the  Governor. 
"  Dear  Sir,  "  ^^^*««y'  ^«2^  Uih,  178L 

"Smc^n^y  last  to  you  of  yesterday,  another  letter  bvevnr. 
has  been  received  from  Fort  Schuvlcr     rl         ,'^y  ^'^P^^^^* 

I  enclose  for  your  inforniat^  '^ ^o't'^^^^^^^^^^      -^^-^« 
to  seal  an^  forward  to  the  Commander  in  chkf  r  '""'^  ^""* 

Therecen  loS  thebatacTraTdr^^^^^       ''"'  "^'"y'^^- 
works,  have  con^med  themt  'Z  •""""'  '•^"^^•""  ^^^^e 

^  removing  it  to  tr^:™aSr  ^^^^ ^^ 
hey  are  disposed  to  afford  every  assistance  nth'  ""^ 
^uild  a  formidable  work,  confide^Xt  rj/be  abL  ^o^^M 
more  protection,  not  only  in  that  particular  quarter  bu  al  n  f  ?^ 
whole  western  frontier  in  ^en^ral  T  m,,.  r  .  *°  ^^^ 
long  since  been  of  this  oninio„     l  h  "'"'^"^  '^"' '  ^^^« 

cuiSstance  to  th^C^J^^:JJ7'T  T^"''^"^^  «his  --. 
come  better  from  voiuSf  alln?  '' "  ^ '""'^'"^  '*  ^'" 
r^rticular  circu  "sta^  rL  tir^it'"^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^ 

eultieswhichweshalllaboirS^:;.^-;;;:^^^^ 


*»IU|.I«  ^ 


r 


c: 


W" 


M 


'!    i;! 


tm 


I    f 


I 


150 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


ble  state  of  defence.  As  I  have  directed  the  troops  to  remain  ia 
possession  of  the  works  until  1  shall  receive  instructions  from 
liead-quarters,  I  wish  that  you  might  have  it  in  your  power  to 
have  a  conference  with  the  General  on  the  subject,  and  trans- 
mit to  me  the  result  of  it  without  delay. 

"  I  am,  Sir,  <fec. 

"Jas.  Clinton. 
"  Governor  Clinton!^ 

This  suggestion  was  adopted,  and  the  post  so  long  considered 
the  key  to  the  Mohawlc  Valley  was  abandoned.* 

In  addition  to  this  disheartening  state  of  affairs  at  the  west- 
ward of  Albany,  intelligence  was  received  that  another  storm 
was  about  breaking  upon  the  northern  frontier.  In  a  letter  from 
General  Schuyler  to  General  Clinton,  from  Saratoga,  May  ISth, 
after  speaking  of  the  "  chagrin  "  he  felt  at  the  destruction  of  the 
fort,  Schuyler  proceeds  :— 

«  Last  evening  Major  McCracken  of  White  Creek  came  here, 
and  delivered  me  a  copy  of  a  paper  which  had  been  found 
there,  m  the  same  liand-writing  as  one  that  was  put  in  the  same 
place  last  year,  announcing  the  approach  of  Major  Carleton  with 
the  troops  under  his  command.  This  contains  in  substance — 
'  That  the  writer  had  received  a  letter  from  a  friend  in  Canada, 
to  o-ive  him  notice  of  the  danger  which  threatened  these  parts  ; 
*  that  1500  men  were  gone  to  Ticonderoga,  from  whence  they 

<  weru  to  proceed  to  Fort  Edward  and  White  Creek  ;  that  they 
'  are  to  be  down  in  this  month,  and  from  what  he  could  learn, 

<  they  were  to  desolate  the  country.'  The  Major  thinks  he 
knows  the  channel  through  which  this  intelligence  is  conveyed, 
and  that  it  may  be  depended  upon  ;— as  it  in  some  degree  cor- 
roborates that  given  by  Harris,  and  the  person  I  had  sent  to 
Crown  Point,  it  ought  not  to  be  slighted.  Please  to  communi- 
cate it  to  the  Governor  and  General  Washington. 

"  Fourteen  of  the  nine  months  men  have  already  deserted, 
two  of  whom  are  apprehended.  There  are  now  at  this  pest  only 
tliirty-nine  of  them.  As  the  Continental  troops  here  are  with- 
out shoes,  it  is  impossible  to  keep  out  the  necessary  scouts.   Can- 

•  After  the  war  tlio  fort  was  rebuilt,  and  the  ambient  name  of  Fort  Stanwix  re- 
stored. The  works  were  repaired  and  i^ssentially  strengthened,  as  being  an  impor- 
tant DOst,  during  the  administration  of  the  elder  Adams. 


1781.] 


TREASON  AT   HOME. 


151 

"for  tliree  or  four  davs  m^t"     a    j        T  ^^"^^  ^""^ 

wrote  more  confident  tin  of  th.  "?  '^'  24th  the  General 
"  Gray  is  returned      h'  I  - '""^ '  '^P''""^'^-    "  Captain 

"mine^he  etem  t"  fofce  tti'"",""  ^"""^^  ^«  ^'- 
"  fires,  that  they  Ire  nu^rl  fT^r.  ^'  ''"^^"'  '>^  ^^^ 
"of  suspicion    that  thp  v  not  strange,  and  subject 

^'intellilencTiftl  tl^;^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^ord  us  .^ny 

the  west,  of  an  expedition  rnr."'°"''^  ^''"^'"-^  ^"  ^''^^ 
led  by  sir  Jo"n  J^uT.TcT    ,T"^'  '^^"^^"^>^'^'  ^«  ^o 

-ports  were  rife,  at  :^::a::f.^^i^:zii:t''  r' 

turns  amonor  the  hostile  Indians    han  h^^l  ^''''"''^^,  ^^'"hma. 
the  war.     But  even  this  ;«  1    aTl  ^''"''"''^  "^^'^^'^^^ 

worst  of  the  ca.e.  Treache "  wl  Tvo^lc  '  ^7  "?"  ^'^ 
per  of  groat  numbers  of  the  peop^     hi'  '°'"  "^"  ^^'^ 

fected,  and  the  intelligence  rece  ved  h  ''""■^^^  "'  ''''  ^''''^' 
intercepted  despaiche^  therP  Jl?  ^  ""'''"''  °^  ^P'««  «"d 
should  the  eneC  a.an?n    T  ^?  ''"''  ^'^  «PPrehend  that, 

north  or  the  C^^iSlZt.^  b^  ^^^  ^  ^^^ 
in  Albany.    oT  h'.  24TofT"  r^"'  T"^''^  '^*  ^^-'^  -- 

;-H  .i„.i.,  and  the  go:e::cnrof  i^^:.^;:,^'''?!''?;:^^  ^'^ 

had  been  .n  Albany  upon  the  business  of  the  ,e"ler,     ",7']         "'  ""'  '°""  '"^"™' 
-having  uttered  a  threat  on  hi,  depart,,  eH  1         -"""  ''"'"-^  ^issntisfied 

««  »^a,  informed,  at  tha  I^le  a  .  S-      L        "'"       """        '  "'  ^•''""'''  ^'^''"y 
- -sie  „„  ."jou—aick-as  was  pretended.  ^ 


I 
I 

!  ■  i,          r 

i. 

■     ■       '" 

n 

i 

!•■•«■  " 
flH'l  'I 


r 

«•■ 


* 


■'",.     "I 


h     1 


i  ''■? 


152 


LIFE   OP   BRAWT. 


[1781 


'1 


ni 


B*' 


north,  "  where  he  met  witli  five  of  the  enemy,  whose  coufi- 
"  donee  he  so  far  obtained  as  to  be  entrusted  with  letters  writf  an 
"  on  the  spot  to  persons  at  Albany,  whose  names  I  forbear  to 
«  mention,"  (says  Schuyler,)  "  for  fear  of  ar.oidents.  Tiioy  con- 
"  tained  no'Jiing  material,  except  the  arrival  of  the  fvuemy  in 
"  force  U  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga,  with  this  expression 
« in  one,  -  '  We  shall  makti  rare  work  with  the  rebels.'  "  But 
otherj  and  iSiore  "  mntonal "  despatches  were  soon  afterward  in- 
tercepted, froui  the  ii.ncT  of  whicii  the  conclusion  was  irresist- 
ible, noi  only  that  a  pt>'V3rfui  invasion  was  about  taking  place 
from  the  north,  but  that  very  extensive  arrangements  had  been 
made  in  Albany,  wid  the  Hviis  adjacent,  for  the  reception  of 
the  invaders,  wliose  standara  the  disaffected  were  to  join,  and 
whose  w  ants  Jlhc/  were  to  supply.  Among  the  papers  thus  in- 
tercepted, was  the  following  letter,  supposed  to  have  been  ad- 
dressed to  General  Haldimand  :— 

"  Albany^  9ih  May,  1781. 

"  Ycur  Excellency  may  learn  from  this  that  when  I  received 
your  instructions,  &c.,  I  was  obliged  at  that  time  to  put  myself 
into  a  oi;  ce  of  security,  as  there  were  heavy  charges  laid  against 
me.  I  ii/ank  God  I  have  baffled  that  storm.  Your  com- 
mands are  observed  to  the  letter,  part  of  them  faithfully  exe- 
cuted, the  particulars  of  which  I  hope  in  a  short  time  to  have 
the  'lonor  to  acquaint  you  verbally.  Now  is  the  season  to  strike 
a  blov/  on  this  place,  when  multitudes  will  join,  provided  a  con- 
siderable force  comes  down.  The  sooner  the  attempt  is  made 
the  bettei,  l^t  it  be  rapid  and  intrepid,  carefully  avoiding  to 
sour  the  inhabitants'  tempers  by  savage  cruelties  on  their  de- 
fenceless fivmilies.  If  a  few  handbills,  intimating  pardon,  protec- 
tion, &c.  &c.  were  sent  down,  and  distributed  about  this  part  of 
tlis  covmtry,  they  would  effect  w<mders ;  and  should  your  Ex- 
cellency think  proper  to  send  an  army  against  this  den  of  per- 
secutors, notice  ought  to  be  given  ten  days  before,  by  some  care- 
ful and  intelligent  person,  to  a  • .  tain  Mr.  McPherson  in  B-'l's 
Town,  who  will  immediately  c  •'.vay  the  intention  to  the  we 
affected  of  New  Scotland,  Nornuui's  Kill,  Hillbarack's,  N<  5- 
kaynna,  (fcc,  all  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany.  The  plan  is  alraad;: 
fixed,  and  shoul  i  a  formidable  force  appear,  I  make  no  doubt  pro- 
visions and  other  succors  will  iirunediately  take  place.  A  few  lines 


1781.J 

of  comt 
make  t 
the  Ver 
is  no  fe; 
ii-oni  thi 
fixjx^ctec 

SitUaliOll 

fore  now 

Accon 

in  the  sa 

o-vcry  po 

situation 

scii[)od; 

and  elsew 

Highland 

of  Ethan 

mont,  am 

tions  shov 

sively  at  v 

advised  of 

Under  i 

ger — with 

sure,  and  t 

serting  by 

over  to  the 

them,  and 

people,  Itjst 

•  This  docui 

Clinton.     H  jg 

writing,  stippo!! 

nuliior  has  not  I 

been  informpd  i 

aft(>rward   Chie 

Clinton  tran!>mi 

keopsie,  contain 

fiy  which  it  nppe 

in  that  quarter,  i 

hany,  &c.     Smil 

missioner  by  (he 

t  See  Apendi; 

VOL.  ir. 


CI 


» 


i& 


1781,1 


TREASON   AT   HOME. 


J  53 


llio  Vermonters  lie  still  as  I  h  .JT  V  '  *"S'"' ^  ""l  if 
;.»  no  rear  of  success.  lloXTr  LT  'tI;  "'"'  '^."^ 
irom  .h,s  .  lace  shortly  ,„  ^  sent :  pert^  1 1-,,/         T  "  ""« 

2;;«-.*et,..i,„e:.o„M'£XZ^*^^;-:-„J 

sm.at.„„  or  Alba„y,  and  the  Ihole  Moh  '  ,t  ''"''"' 

sctted;  tl,e  temper  of  the  pel  e  in  the  ,  ""'""'''•  ""^  ''= 
and  elsewhere  sel  rorth ;  theT,,  Sortie  °™'' ^''"''>' 

Higl>l»nds  given  with  all  .JsZLe  ,n  v'-'riT"  "'  *" 
ol  Ethan  Allen  to  Albany,  and  the  proW,  e  ',  r  '  ""*"' 
mont,  annonnced.    Indeed,  ,h       ll^of  ,hl"  '°"  "'  ^"■ 

»<.wid  or,Ke^rst:t*rzj:::;7'' "-""'  ^"-"^ 
."tht^Tx;=-^ -^^^^^^  ~  d.. 

snre,  and  those  so  miserably  provided  that  2  !,,f  "  "'''"• 
"tins  by  dozens,  showing  dVsitas  1. 1'^:!  „T" ''" 

i^opie,  lest  the  dis:,rec.io:rxrrLr:i*fer 

•  This  document  has  hem  discovered  bv  tho  «.,>».,,,  » 
Clinton.    It  is  endorsrd  as  follow,  •-«  A  C     f     ,       ""^  '^'  P^P'"  "''  ^f^neral 
wri-ing,  supposed  to  General  Haldimand.  TlerceLodTy/h  "l^T  ^"^"''^  '''""'■ 
autiior  has  not  hten  able  to  ascertain  m1^,.!1^  !  "'^  ^''^'  "''^'•"    The 

been  informed  ,t  Albany,  timt  1  e  Zs  „  bro^l"     -o^^^      "r','"''"  "'»"  «'''"  h«  »"«« 
afterward   Chief  Jus.ice' of  Now  Irunw  t"'' ''"'''^^°"^"«^New. York. 

Clinton  transmitted  a  special  n..J^ZTJZL7  "'"""'  °"^^"'°' 
eopsie  containing  important  information  respe  1 1 Idll:"   f "It'i'''  ''°"=''- 
hy  winch  .t  appears  that  Dr.  Smith  was  ac.ivelv  en^al     ^r  '  Vermonters, 

m  that  quarter,  and  had  held  interviews  ^^^^1111  T'  ''"''^"''°" 

b»ny.  &c.     Smith  is  spoken  of  in  that  message  ashali"  kT  "'  '"•'^"' '"  ^'■ 

7r Xr S:r ^^^^  •" "-'  -'^  ^^  ^— -  ""'"  '  '""•• 

VOL.  ir.  „ 


■ 

f  s,* 

|•■^^^•  • 

rl>  1  •  • 

c:j 

"'|,      '» 

.    i 

^ 

*"■*   ■*  H 

'   » 

[hi? 


lif  ,, 


154  LIFE    OF    BRANT.  [1781 

sivc  than  recent  disclosures  !md  taught  tlie  officers  to  suppose, — 
the  Spriugof  1781  may  well  lie  counted  as  the  darkest  period  ot 
the  revoUition.  Had  it  not  heen  for  the  gleams  of  liglit  shooting 
up  h-oni  the  soutii,  all  indeed  would  have  been  sullen  black- 
ni>ss,  if  not  despair.  But  the  truth  of  tl)e  lioniely  adage,  that  the 
darkest  hour  is  always  just  before  day,  received  a  glorious  illus- 
tration before  the  close  of  the  ye;ir.  "  Accustomed  to  contem- 
"  plate  all  public  events  which  might  grow  out  of  the  situation 
"of  the  United  St;ites,  and  to  prepare  for  them  while  at  a  dis- 
<'  tance,  the  American  chief  was  not  depressed  by  this  state  ot 
"alTairs.  With  a  mind  happily  tempered  by  nature  and  im- 
"  proved  by  experience,  tliose  fortunate  events  which  had  occa- 
"sionally  brightened  tlie  prospects  of  his  country,  never  relaxed 
'*  his  exertions  or  lessened  his  preeiuitions  ;  nor  could  the  most 
"  disastrous  state  of  things  drive  him  to  despair."*  Fortunately, 
in  the  Clintons  and  tlieir  associate  oincers  at  the  north,  the 
American  Commimder  iiad  sul)ordinates  possessing  in  no  small 
degree  the  same  great  characteristics.  Every  possible  precaution 
ii'T-ainst  Inrkinsf  treason  within,  was  taken,  and  every  practicable 
metms  of  preparation  and  defence  against  invasion  from  abroad, 
was  adopted. 

Anticipating,  from  the  presence  of  the  enemy  at  Ticonderogn, 
that  Tryon  county  might  again  be  attacked  from  that  direction 
by  the  way  of  the  Sacondaga,  Captain  John  Carlisle' was  de- 
spatched into  the  settlements  of  New  Gal  way,  Peasloy,  and 
Ballston,  accompanied  by  Captain  Oothout  and  a  small  party 
of  Indians,  to  make  prisoners  of  certain  persons  suspected  of 
disaffection  to  the  American  cause,  and  to  remove  all  the  families 
from  those  towns  to  the  south  iside  of  the  Mohawk  river.  About 
sixty  families  were  thus  removed,  and  all  the  suspected  persons 
arrested.  The  Captain,  in  liis  report  of  the  expedition,  gave  a 
deplorable  account  of  the  poverty  of  the  people.  He  co'ild 
scarcely  procure  subsistence  for  his  party  during  his  mission. 
On  arriving  at  Ballston,  however,  he  drew  more  liberally  upon  the 
stores  of  the  disaffected,  and  then  arrested  them.  But  their  dis- 
position. Captain  Oothout  was  glad  to  inform  the  Commission- 
ers, was  such  as  to  "  prevent  his  setting  fire  to  their  houses 
agreeably  to  the  letter  of  his  orders."t    Happily  these  measures 

♦  Mnrshnll. 

t  Manuscripts  of  Gen.  Clinton.    Indeed,  the  materials  for  this  whole  nwlion  of 


17S1.J 


THE    MOHAWK    VALLKY. 


155 


that  quarter  ^'      ' ''''"  "'^'""""«  '"^"^'^^^  invasion  from 

-U  other  s.nal,  fortific^i^.s  ,"  '  7nt  H  °'  "^,  1^^'^'^^^^ 
frroat  n,eas„ro  been  crushed,  and  th  ^  m'^  .^"^  '  '^  '"  ' 
n.?,^  the  repeated  invasions  of   he  .  '"'^''"  ^"^""'  '^^''^ 

Dnniel  Gros/  writin.  to  (T ■  ne.-  A  ^  r'"^  ^''"'*-  ''''^«  ^^«^- 
the  in.poriancc  ^f    av  ^  '  !.  ^  L^''''^"!,^?'''  ''"'^"''^^^'^'  "P- 

t-ps  at  Fort  Kc.sS;Vbs:l  ^ '':'  .^^ ^  ""'  ''"'''' 
"spirit,  order,  and  recr,,].' i,,?    ?  I^  would  serve  to  brin-r 

";™.  -'.ordi„:iT  rrn™:;^rf :;'■  r;?  °"'"""^ 

"noi,.hl,ori„g  co„„,ios,  evo^  of  t^o  ovio  m  do,?,  '  "■""'  ""= 
■'  n.ande«,  will  „„,  „ba.o  ,l,o  f,„„|  Zl  „rt/  °,',''  °""  """ 
"  produco  a  monster  with  as  mo„vT„   l         f  ""  "'™  "> 

cl-cribod,  with  ,1,0  oxcop,i„„  of  a  tv  ,     torodt  '■''  "'"  '""" 
rathor  sitelotons  of  companios    at  ,1,0!,  ^  ''"■"P""^'',  or 

along, ho  Valley,  ,he  r^:^:^^^^i^^  -™*"? 

deed  gl„o,„y_,„oro  espee.ally  when  S  "1^™"  '™.'"- 
tliesuffcrincsoflhonasr      N„..        .,. 'S:n,s  reverted  to 

.0  expeot  a„^  o„,'   -dSle  ^X:    ^f  ^rS™""^"''' 
since  the  Cominander-in  ohiof  i„  nead-quartors, 

Roeharaboa,,,  was  at  ^ov 2.1!°""     T""  *=  ^™«  '^^ 

'>^t:s:zz:^7:!::,'^^'''^  ""^  p-p>e  -f 

Ma„,„.sW,,lo..:who,a..hoeo':;ti:;a,i„r^nv:I:;r^ 

thn  northern  history  of  the  Snrintrnf   I7qi   i,  •     • 

Cli»ro,,p.p„,, .,;,„.„  ^.r^;-"'  '"'■'"'™  1'™°P.II>-  ,.«.»  <!„,.„  f,„„  ,b.  . 


*        > 

Tlf"" 

lillfi 

c;:> 


MM*"** 


m  ■! 


i'  '\ 


■  C 

•": 

1  " 

I* 

r' 

it 

tr"' 

f 

•f**-^ 

•".-►te.                        : 

1.     t 

b;;.^ 

K' 
1 

i 

■<«w 


156 


LIFK 


URANT. 


[1781. 


regiments  into  two- 


-mi  cv  at  lni})pcninjf  nt  about  the  snmo 
tiinu — Wiis  induced  by  tho  stronj^  solicitation  of  Governor  (Jiin- 
toii  to  tfiko  tbo  coiniimnd  oi'  all  tiio  militia  levies  and  Stato 
troops  tliiil  luiifht  \)o  raised  for  the  protection  of  tlw'  (■-•'•■  U 

wa-i  only  with  <rreiit  relnctaiK-t' that  ("oloiiel  WiUuttwaa  persuad- 
ed to  leuvo  till!  main  army,  and  enter  upon  this  dillicnli  and 
hazardous  service.  Hut  the  appeal  of  Governor  Clinton  was  so 
stronix,  and  enforced  with  soniiich  cariiestnc^ss,  that  he  could  not 
resist  it.  The  (iii/(;rnor  ur^-ed  tlw!  hi^h  confidence  reposed  in 
him  by  the  people  of  Tryoii  county— and  n minded  hiui  of  the 
cruelties  of  th;  Indians  and  Tories —speaking'  of  the  latter  with 
great  emphasis,  as  "cruel  monsters  worse  than  savages  ;"*  and 
Colonel  Willett,  feeling  a  hearty  good-will  to  chasti,se  such  an 
enemy — the  Tories  esj)ecuilly — repaireil  to  the  north,  and  as- 
sumed the  command,  lie  arrived  at  l<Virt  llonss-laer  (Canajo- 
liarie),  whore  ho  estahlislied  his  hcad-(|uarters,  toward  the  close 
of  Juno.  The  country  he  was  to  d(M'cnd  embraced  all  the  settle- 
ments west  oi  the  county  of  Albany,  includiu  Catskill  and  the 
Hudson  river.  A  fortnight  atlc  his  arrival  he  ascertained  that  the 
following  skeleton  detachments  composed  the  full  complement 
of  the  forces  under  hisconnnanil :  one  hundred  and  thirty  levies, 
including  odicers,  and  (,'aptain  Moody's  artillery,  numbering 
twenty  men,  at  tlie  German  Flatts ;  nt  Schoharie  ae  stationed  a 
guard  of  twenty  men ;  atCatsii:!  abo.'*  the  san.  number,  nnd 
about  thirty  men  at  Ballston.  Exclusive  of  these  diminutive 
fragments  of  corps,  stationed  at  great  distances  apart,  the  levies 
.of  the  county  amounted  to  no  mo''  .ii.  ii  ninety-six  'e^n.  In  a  lei 
ter  to  Governor  Clinton,  making  knu^vn  the  paucity  of  his  niun- 
hers.  Colonel  Willett  added: — •'!  confess  myself  not  '  'ittle  dis- 
"  appointed  in  having  such  a  trifling  force  ff.r  sutli  extensive 
"  business  as  I  have  on  my  hands  ;  and  also  no'bing  is  done 
"  to  enable  me  to  avail  myself  of  the  militi;  fl  irospect  of 
"asufTering  country  hurts  me.  Upon  my>.\vn  account  I  am 
«*not  un  ■ .  y.  Every  thing  1  can  do,  shall  be  done  ;  and  more 
"  cannot  be  looked  for.  If  it  is,  the  reflection  that  I  have  done  my 
•''duty,  iiiust  fbc  my  owntranquillity."t 
Depressed,  however,  as  were  the  people,  and  ijiefficicnt  as, 
from  the  preceding  descriptions,  the  militia  must  have  become, 


♦  Willett's  Narrative. 


t  Idem. 


1781.J 

these  cii 

ble  to  tl 

/idence, 

trial  of  I 

"  oxperie 

"  Wen;  li 

The  occf 

columns 

seiner,  asi 

Currieiov 

of  the  «e 

thirty  rruji 

south  as  . 

d(!spaf,;|,e( 

bahlo  prcf 

possible,  t( 

ordered  to 

struetions  i 

We.     Such 

arrived  at 

Jeserted  by 

the  fires  of 

Willett  was 

lecfing  the  i 

not  only  tilt 

their  encam] 

the  same  eiii 

ing  by  the  d 

termined,  wi 

been  able  to 

if  possible,  ta 
asleep.  Thi 
six  miles  to  t 
reach  it  by  a 
dark  night,  n 
was  no  small 
/ndians  numb 
^y  -1  Tory  nai 

♦  Letter  of  Colo 
t  Sometimes  sp 


1781.J 


nATTLE  OP  nvm.Aiiij. 


157 


tlicso  circiimsfnncos  wore  no  rJn.,1 »   • 

^••i"'  of  tiKur  spirit,  I     „  7,r" :;"  '^^'""""'^5'  ^'^  '-^-« 
T|.  occasion  ..u;;J;^o:?'^;r,,^!;r^r''^'^'^''^^^ 

seiner,  ascendin.  a.  fro„     viH      ^^  ""l^''"'-''^^'  -r Fort  Kcas- 
or  the  «..ho|.,;,,  .1,111        ,       :  '"^'"  '^*  ^'^"^'  "-'r  the  estuary 

'l«spatcf,od  to  overtake  (hit  ofnpr;        """r''^'''»  ''^Prcss  was 
'"'No  prcs,.,...  of  thn  on    "        ' ''      '? '"'■""" '■^"'  "^  ^^'o  pro. 
possible,  to  fid,  npon,  is  tn  7    I  "'"' ""^  "'"'  '"^^n.ction  ,  if 
ordnred  to  Cu.      tow.   \        ^i.f '"'"r^ '''"'^'''•^'^   M'Koan  was 
«tn.c.ionstooollec,T^^'I  'r,^:"  '.-'-.  «n'y,  H„t  with  i„. 
l"o-     Such  was  .,.  .Sv  of  WKe  T  "  ''-^  "''^^^  ^'^  '-- 
arrived  at  Curri.town  so    '  n  aL  hh    M™"'^'  ^"'^^  '^« 
Jesorted  by  the  enemy,  a.       .JZ\      T       ''"  '"''"^^^  '^"d 
t'^c  fires  of  some  of  L  "et  un     !         f  "'"'•"'  '"  ^"«"^'"n? 
Willctt  was  himself  a    ive  v  emr"";1  '•"'"^"^"-     ^'«'«"«' 
i-^'-n.  the  militia,  ^WHle  tl  L'lX'''^^"""^"  ^'"^  ^^^^  in  col- 
not  only  the  trail  of  t!u  InZf^J^^  Gross, 

thoir  encampnient    H-  vin"    '  '^'''^''^''^^  '">t  the  place  0 

t'^"  -me  JcJ^^  ;  X'^  ^^  ;"r'P-o  thoy  would  occupy 

in.  I.y  the  detacLnents    for?  'Z'  "^ '''^  '^'"^'^  -- 
tonnined,  With  these  forces  und  sn  L  f        T' '''"^  ^^°'°"«'  de-   . 
been  ahle  to  collect,  ,0  ml  ^    dlr     I    T  T '"'"'"'^"  ««  '^^  ^ad 
ir  possible,  take  thei  bv  sur    it     f'      '  '^'  ^'"^^n^pment,  and, 
-'-!>•     This  eneam  rrrint;rr"'^^~^^  '^'^P^  ^h.le 
-X-  miles  to  tb..  north-eas    oT  Ch  rrv    sn^'^r™^'  «^«  ^ 
reach  it  by  a  march  throu.rh  the  J^^      ^^'  ^"^  "^  '=°"^««  ^o 
^-'c  ni,ht,and  wit,    n; ^n^T^rrlo-.d '7^  "  ^^^^^^^ 
^vas  no  small  u    lertakin<r     Vlj,  '^'''"   '^  bridle-path, 

Indians  numbered  hetwer^;  h!        f  ^'"  "«'erf«i„ed  tha    the 
by  a  Tory  na.od  ;:! X  ~^^^     ^"•!'^'-'^'  — "cled 

*  Letter  ofCCono,  Wi„..  ,„  cT        ^v  "'''""  ''"^^  ""  ^^^ 


<::.:> 


)! 


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isa 


Ml-'K    Ol"    IIUAN'I'. 


[17H1. 


cliu^f  imiird  Ciiinrkyiu'k.     CoUwl  Will»«tl's  slrou-rtli,  levies  nnd 
militia  iiieliided,  di(i  not  oxcoed  ono  liundred  uiid  liOy  rniikiuid 
lile.     Tiie  pliin  of  lidliiiij:  upon   llie  enemy  wliile  :isl(«en  did 
not   exaelly  siie<'eed,  in  e.msf(|ueiiee   of  llie  dillieiillieN   r!"  llio 
liiaivii     (Mvasioiied  Ity  t!|c  darkness,  llie  lliieluiess  of  the  w«M)ds, 
nnd,  worse  than  all,  th.^  losin<;  of  his  way  hy  the  pnitle.     U  wiih 
Iherelore  nearly  .six  o'eloek  in  the  inorninLr  when  they  arrived 
in  the  vicinity  (tfthe  cneampnient  ;  and,  instead  oriiillinsj:  npon 
the  enemy  hy  snrprise,  th(>y  lonnd  him  oeeupyinir  a  more  fa- 
vorahle  situation,  and  awaitinir  their  reception.     Immediate  dis- 
positions were  made  to<'n<jraire  theonnujy,  with  a  view  to  which 
n  .strata;r,Mn  was  laid  to  draw  him  from  the  adviintaijeons  sitna- 
tion  which  he  had  chosen.     For  this  jiurpose,  lujfore  the  In- 
dians  had  heoonu?  fnlly  aware  of  Willett's  near  approach,  Jaeoh 
Sainmons,  now  a  lientonaiit  in  tho  New-York  levies,  wiw  d(v 
tacluxl  with  ton  resolute  men,  to  steal  as  near  to  them  as  possi- 
ble, ^rivo,  thoin  one  well-directed   tire,  and  retreat.     'V\w  ruse 
succeeded.     Sammons  ajid  his  men  tnrn(>d  their  hacks  on  the 
first  yell  of  tho  Indians,  and  the  latter  spransj  forward  in  pur- 
suit.*    They  were  soon  met  by  Tolonel   Willetl  in  person,  ad- 
vancinj?  at  th.;-  head  of  his  main  division,  which  consisted  of  ono 
hundred  men,  while  (\iptain  M'Kean  was  lelY  with  fifty  more 
as  a  reserve,  to  act  as  occasion  might  require,  on  the  riirht.     The 
enemy  did  not  wait  an  attack,  however,  but,  with  jjrcat  ap- 
poarance  of  determination,  advanced  with  their  wonted  shonis 
and  yells,  and  iM'iran  the  fire.     The  onset  of  tin;  Indians  was 
furious  ;  but  they  were  received  with  lirnmess,  and  in  turn  the 
Americans  advancwl  upon  them  with  loud  huzzas,  and  such 
mfuiifestations  of  spirit  as  soon  caused  thon  to  jrive  way.     Si- 
multrneously  with  their  attack  upon  the  main  body  in  front,  tho 
Indiat  s  had  made  an  eciually  desperjito  rush  upon  the  ri<,'lit 
wing,  vhich  might  have  been  attended  with  disaster,  but  for 
the  destructive  fire  poured  in  upon  them  by  tho  reserve  of 
M'Kean.     The  Indians,  thus  driven  bade,  now  betook  them- 
selves to  their  old  game  of  firing  from  behiild  tho  trees  ;  but 
Willett's  men  understood  that  mode  of  fighting  os  well  as  tliem- 
se'ves.     They  did  not,  however,  practise  it  long.       Villctt 
pressed  forward  waving  his  hat  and  cheering  his  men— calling 


MS.  nnrmfivnf  Jncoh  ^ammons. 


1781.] 


iiATTf.K  OK  i)i;in,Arjn. 


ICO 


"'!(  (Iiaf  |„,  cnnUl  oafrh  in  liis  |,af  ,.l|   ,],..  i    n    .1        . 

"•ii'n,  iii\r  Ih.vsI"      'I'I.,.«      ;.  •  •        ""  """""U,   "  llif!  diry  l.s 

low..;. ,,; ,:  r,i ,  ':iz^::;z ;  rrr™""-'  i"-"''  ""• 

Tlu.ro  was  ono  very  ,,ai,.nu  rircurr.tanc.  «U.„,,n^  „,,  ,,„. 
»  l'l«cl<  l».y,  ,m.l  four  otl,cr».    -I'l,,,  „„„,,,„,  ,!    ,  ""'  "  '""' 

po  "d  cl.,.ca,scd  on  the  outside  of  his  own  gravV  •  rnrl  1 .  1. '   ,     ^t 
to  /urnish  the  author  of  the  present  worlfwUhVa  a  .    r7 

o^vu  burial  nnd  resurrection  t  "'"*  °^  ^"' 


Hon, 


♦  VViIleli'8  Narrative—Campbell. 

KSUtemonta  of  Jacob  Diefondorff  and  Jacob  Snmmons.  in  the  author'. 


pmsea- 


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!     •        »  I  .i    ,  I  ' 


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i^ 


160 


LIFE   OF   BRANT 


[1781 


Colonel  Willett  to  General  Clinton. 

"Sir  : — I  have  jiis't  sent  some  cf  the  wounded  levies  to  Sche- 
nectady, tliere  being  no  surgeon  here.  Doctor  Petrie,  the  sur- 
geon of  the  levies,  is  at  German  Flatts,  where  he  has  several 
sick  and  wounded  to  attend  ;  and  the  intercourse  between  here 
and  there  is  too  dangerous  to  allow  travelling  without  a  guard. 
I  could  wish,  therefore,  to  have  a  surgeon  from  the  hospital  posted 
in  this  quarter. 

"  This  place  does  not  afford  a  gill  of  rum  to  batlie  a  single 
wound.  The  two  barrels  designed  for  this  quarter  a  few  daya 
ao-o,  met  with  a  regular  regiment  passing  down  the  country,  who 
very  irregularly  took  away  from  the  person  that  had  thcmin  charge 
those  two  barrels  of  rum.  I  need  not  mention  to  you,  Sir,  that 
the  severe  duty  and  large  portion  of  fatigue  that  tails  to  the  lot 
of  the  troops  in  this  quarter,  make  rum  an  article  of  importance 
here,  and  that  1  should  be  glad  to  see  some  in  the  County  of 
Tryon. 

"  This  morning  Captain  M'Kean  died  of  the  wound  he  re- 
ceived yesterday.  In  him  we  have  lost  an  excellent  officer.  1 
feel  his  loss,  and  must  regret  it."* 

Shortly  after  the  irruption  of  Doxstader,  there  was  another 
descent  of  Indians  and  Tories  upon  Palatine^,  which  was  an 
event  of  more  singularity  than  importance.  A  son  of  Colonel 
Jac^b  Klock,  with  several  of  his  Tory  friends,  went  off  to  Ca- 
nada. He  returned  in  about  four  weeks  with  a  band  of  Indians 
and  Tories  to  fall  upon  the  settlement,  and  encamped  for  one 
nio-ht  in  the  vicinity  of  his  own  neighborhood.  During  the 
nio-ht,  one  of  the  number,  Philip  Helmer,  having  discovered  that 
a  part  of  their  object  was  to  plunder  and  murder  the  family  of 
his  relative,  John  Bellinger,  determined  to  save  that  family. 
Taking  a  young  Indian  with  him,  therefore,  under  the  pn^text 
of  reconnoitring  the  settlement,  he  proceeded  so  near  to  souie  of 
the  houses,  that  the  Indian,  becoming  suspicious,  ran  back  to 
his  comrades.  Helmcr's  object  was  to  surrender  himself,  and 
cause  the  Indian  to  be  taken  prisoner;  and  he  accordingly  de- 
livered himself  up  to  Judge  Nellis.  Exprci-ises  were  immediately 
sent  to  Fort  Plain  and  Stone  Arabia  for  assistance ;  and  the 
rnemy,  finding  themselves  betrayed,  took  to  the  woods.     Lieu- 

♦  Clinton  pHpers. 


'f. 


1781.] 


AFFAIR   AT   PALA.CINK. 


161 


tenan  Sammons,  with  twenty-five  men,  wa.  ordered  by  Colonel 

arrte?H^  "'  '">'"^''  '"^  '°  '^^'^  "^^^'  ^^^^  ^^  ^^"t.  as  to 
W  ml     ^l'^^"<^™y  « -'^-ampment  before  his  fires  hod  gone  out. 
Wlham  leetcr,  with  six  ether  volnnteers,  was  sent  forward 
to  keep  h,s  craa.     In  about  two  miles  after  entering  the  woods 
most  luckily  they  discovered  a  number  of  the  Indians  lyinrflt; 
upon  the  ground.     The   latter  no  sooner  discerned   Feeterl 
approach  than  t..ey  rose  and  fired;  but  one  of  their  number 
having  fallen  gi.evou^ly  wounded  by  the  return  fire  of  Feeter's 
party  wJnle  they  w-ere  stooping  down  to  re-ioad,  they  sprang  to 
thezr  feet  and  fled-Tories  and  all-Ieavin..  tLeir  provisiLs 
knapsacks,  and  some  of  their  muskets.     They  ran  down  a  steep 
hill   and  were  measurably  shielded  from  Feeter's  fire  by  the 
thickness  of  the  shrubbery  and  trees.     One  of  them  gave  him- 
self  up  as  a  prisoner;  throe  more  wore  wounded,  and  died  on 

^ZZV:.  ^T^'-     '^^^  P°"^  ^"^^'^"  «-*  --"ded,  was 
put  to  death  by  Heiiaer,  who  ran  up  and  despatched  him  while 
he  was  begging  for  quarter  !  * 

Colonel  Will.tt  took  curly  occasion  to  make  the  Commander- 
in-chief  acquainted  with  the  deplorable  situation  to  which  tins 
fine  region  of  .nuntry  had  been  reduced  by  the  repeated  vi.sita- 
tions  of  the  00......     Jn  his  letter  to  General  Washington  upon 

the  subject,  he  de.cr-bes  the  beauty,  the  productiveness,  and  the 
natural  advantages  of  the  country  with  a  glowing  pen.     From 
this  communication  it  appears,  that  at  the  comineirccmcnt  of  the 
war,  tiie  nurnber  of  enrolled  militia  in  Tryon  county  amounted 
to  not  less  than  two  thousand  five  hundred;  but  at  the  dato 
of  the  letter,  (July  6,  1781,)  the  number  of  inhabitants  liable  to 
pay  taxes,  or  to  be  assessed  to  raise  men  for  the  public  service 
was  estimated  at  no  more  than  twelve  hundred ;  while  the  num- 
ber liable  to  bear  arms  did  not  exceed  eight  hundred      To  ac 
count  for  so  large  a  reduction  of  the  population,  it  was  estimated 
that  one-third  had  been  killed  or  made  prisoners;  one-third  had 
gore  over  to  the  enemy;  and  one-third,  for  the  time  beino-    had 
abandoned  the  country.     The  situation  of  those  that  remained, 
the  Colonel  described  as  so  distressing  as  to  provoke  sympathv 

Those  who  could  afford 


from  even  the  most  unfeeling  heart 


— ^  — '""''•    i-oioijd  Fcctcr  is  yet  living,  (1837.) 


r 


V 


i        !  !  :  ■ 
■         '-f      ' 

'"'HI' 


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■  '    U  ^^     :i 

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m 

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^•••'••^fc* 

162 


LIFE   OP   nilANT. 


[1781 


the  expense,  or  perform  the  labor,  had  erected  block-houses  on 
their  own  farms,  for  the  protoction  of  their  families.  Each 
neifjliborhood  had  been  compiillod  to  erect  a  fortification  for 
itself,  within  which  their  familioa  resided  for  safety — from  ten 
to  fifty  families  crowding  to^r^<^h^^r  in  a  fort.  Of  these  works 
there  were  twenty-four  betwe(jn  Schenectady  and  Fort  Schuyler. 
At  the  time  of  writinjj  this  hitter— or  rather  memoir,  for  the 
communication  was  extended  through  several  sheets — Colonel 
Willett  stated  that  the  whole  number  of  men  then  under  his  com- 
mand, exclusive  of  the  militia,  did  not  exceed  two  hundred  and 
fifty.  But  he,  nevertheless,  kept  up  a  good  heart,  and  in  the  course 
of  liis  anticipations  of  bringing  about  u  better  state  of  things, 
added— "Nor  shall  I  exceed  my  hopes,  if,  in  the  course  of  less 
"  than  twelve  months,  1  shall  be  able  to  convince  the  enemy  that 
"  they  are  not  without  vnlnorabbj  quarters  in  these  parts."  The 
following  quotation  will  illustrate  alike  the  wisdom,  the  activity, 
and  the  skill  of  the  dispositions  made  by  Willett,  for  the  purpose 
not  only  of  bringing  order  out  of  coufiision,  but  of  displaying 
his  strength  before  an  invisible  fhc,  lurking  stealthily  about  in 
every  place  of  concealment,  on  ^ill  sides  and  every  hand.  After 
stating  that  he  had  fixed  his  luiad-quartcrs  at  Canajoharie,  on 
account  of  its  central  position,  Ik;  proceeds: — "My  intention  is 
"  to  manage  business  .so  as  to  liave  an  opportunity  of  acquainting 
"  myself,  as  well  as  possible,  with  every  officer  and  soldier  I  may 
"  have  in  charge.  In  order  thri  better  to  do  this,  I  propose,  as  far  as 
"  I  can  make  it  any  way  eoiivenimit,  to  guard  the  diilerent  posts 
"by  detachments,  to  be  relieved  as  the  nature  of  the  case  will 
"admit.  And  as  the  relieved  troops  will  always  return  to  Fort 
"  Rensselaer,  where  my  qnarlors  will  be,  I  sliall  have  an  oppor- 
"tunity  of  seeing  theui  idl  in  turn.  Having  troops  constantly 
"marching  backward  and  forward  through  the  country,  and 
"  frequently  changing  their  route;,  will  answer  several  purposes, 
"  such  as  will  easily  be  perceived  by  yon,  sir,  without  mention 
"  ing  them.  This  is  not  the  only  way  by  which  I  expect  to  be- 
''come  particularly  acquainted  with  tlie  troops  and  their  situa- 
"tion.  I  intend  occasionally  to  visit  every  part  of  the  eoimtry, 
"  as  well  to  rectify  such  mistake-)  ns  arc  common  among  the  kind 
"  o''  troops  1  have  at  present  iti  charge,  os  to  enable  me  ' o  ob- 
"serve  the  condition  of  the  militia,  upon  whose  aid  I  shall  L-ti 
''   nder  tlie  necessitv  of  nbicintr  considerable!  reliance." 


1781.] 


INFLUENCE  OP  COLONEL  WILLETT. 


]C3 

The  effect  of  Colonel  Willctt's  presence  and  example  was 
very  soon  perceptible.     The  people  reposed  the  most  unlimited 
confidence  m  h.m  ;  and  so  rapidly  did  he  infuse  somethino-  of 
his  own  fire  and  energy  into  the  bosoms  even  of  the  dispirited 
and  broken  milit.a,  that  they  presently  appeared  like  a  different 
race  of  men.     An  illustration  of  this  fact  occurred  one  nicrht 
ear  y  m  Ju  y.     The  Colonel  was  informed,  at  the  hour  of  one 
oclodc  m  the  mornina,  of  the  presence  of  fifty  or  sixty  Indians 
and  Tones  m  the  neighborhood,  at  only  about  six  miles  distance 
Havmg  barely  troops  enough,  in  the  fort  to  guard  it,  he  sent 
immediately  for  a  Captain  of  the  militia,  and  in  one  hour's  time 
hat  officer  was  m  search  of  the  enemy  at  the  head  of  seventy  men 
n  ,s  not  often  that  much  good  result,  from  the  employment  of 
mihtm.     Few  officers  can  do  any  thing  with  them.     Most  com- 
manders nothmg.     But  Willett  was  an  exception  in  those  days, 
as  General  Jackson  has  been  since.     Willett,  like  Jackson  pos 
sessed  the  faculty,  by  looking  into  the  eyes  oHns  men,  o?  tnms- 

seTves'      '  """'"  "''^'''''  ^'"^  '"*''  *''"'  ^'''''"''  '"  'P^^^  °^  ^hem. 
Fortunately,  however,  less  trouble  was  experienced  from  the 
e-iemy  d,,rmg  the  Summer,  in  the  lower  section  of  the  Mohawk 
Valley,  than  had  been  anticipated.     The  summary  and  severe 
chastisement  inflicted  upon  Doxstader  and  his  party  had  a  pow- 
erfiil  effect  upon  that  irritating  branch  of  the  enemv's  service  • 
and  for  more  than  three  months  afterward  the  iahabitaiits  were 
only  troubled  occasionally,  and  then  merely  by  small  flyinn-  par- 
ties of  the  enemy,  who  accomplished  nothing  worthy  of  record 
But  m  the  upper  section  of  tb.e  Valley,  the  German  Flatt.  ii 
was  otherwise,  and  several  spirited  affairs  occurred  in  that  neigh- 
borhood, attended  by  great  bravery,  though  not  by  important 
conrequenres.     The  name  of  Solomon  Woodworth  lias  twice 
or  thnce  occurred  in  the  preceding  pages  ;  once,  as  having  been 
aken  a  prisoner  and  making  his  escape,  and  again  as  alone 
defending  a  block-hou.e  north  of  Johnstown,  and  repuls.n.  the 
onemy  from  Ins  fortress.     In  the  year  1781  he  was  cimm^sion- 
oda  captain,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  com^mny  of  ran<rers 
^  traverse  the  wooded  country  north  of  Fort  Da>ton  .-r-d'the 
.erm.r.i  T  latts.     IJe  .succeeded  in  enlisting  a  company  of  forty 
brave  and  kindred  spirits;  at  the  head  of  whom,  well  arn^d 
^^^'^  provided,  he  marched  from  Fort  Dayton,  str-kin-  m  tho 


*t„„.  / 


.4f     -  4 


m 
mtf" 


^.,.,         ■-'"'1 


.  It 
1:1;', 


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m 


fWilll      !•■■ 


iiiiii>f.-iii-liiintivir)rni 


164 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1781. 


direction  of  the  Royal  Grant,*  for  purposes  of  observation.  After 
a  few  hours'  march,  one  of  Woodworth's  men.  being  a  short  dis- 
tance in  advance,  discovered  an  Indian,  evidently  in  ambuscade, 
ii^.on  whom  he  immediately  fired.  Instantly  the  forest  resoinid- 
ed  with  the  war-wiioop,  and  Woodworth  with  his  little  band 
was  surrounded  by  double  his  own  number.  A  furious  and 
bloody  engagement  followed,  in  which  the  Rangers  and  Indians 
fought  hand  to  hand  with  great  desperation ;  and,  for  the  num- 
bers engaged,  there  was  cruel  slaughter.  A  fiercer  engagement, 
probably,  did  not  occur  during  the  war.  Woodworth  fell  dead. 
The  savages  were  the  victors  ;  and  of  the  rangers,  only  fifteen 
escaped  to  teU  the  luelancholy  fate  of  their  comrades.  Several 
were  taken  captive,  and  subsequently  exchanged.! 

Another  aifair,  as  an  individual  exploit,  was  as  remarkable  for 
its  coolness  and  bravery,  as  for  the  singular  incident  occurring 
in  the  course  of  the  battle,  or  rather  siege,  by  which  the  leader 
of  the  enemy  was  made  to  supply  ammunition  to  be  used  against 
his  own  troops.  There  was,  and  is  to  this  day,  a  wealthy  Ger 
man  settlement  about  four  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Herki 
mer,  called  Shell's  Bush,  Among  those  of  the  settlers  who  had 
built  block-houses  of  their  own,  was  John  Christian  Shell.  His 
stockade  Wiis  large  and  substantial,  and  well  calculated  for  de- 
fence. The  first  story  had  no  windows,  but  small  loop-holes, 
through  which  the  inmates  could  fire  upon  any  persons  venturing 
to  assail  them.  The  second  story  j)rojected  two  or  three  leet  over 
the  first,  so  constructed  that  the  garrison  could  eitlier  fire  upon 
those  who  approached  too  near,  or  cast  down  missiles  upon  their 
heads.  Sliell  had  a  family  of  six  sons,  the  youngest  two  of 
whom  were  twins  and  but  <-ight  years  old.  In  the  afternoon  of 
the  6th  of  August,  Donald  M'Donald,  one  of  the  Scotch  refugees 
who  fled  from  Johnstown,  made  an  attack  upon  Shell's  Bush 
at  the  iiead  of  a  band  of  sixty  six  Indians  and  Tories,  among 
tlie  latter  of  wliom  were  two  celebfftted  traitors,  named  Empie 
and  K^wMman.t  Most  of  the  inhabitui/iS  of  Shell's  Biisih, 
however  aad  taken  refuge  in  Fo/O)aytun  four  nales  dismd- 
but  JoliB  Ohristioji  Shell,  bem^  a  sturdy  believer  in  t)i*  <i*>ctriis# 

»  A  larfi'  trad  of  lind,  «o  called  from  thi'  f.iot  fhat  it  was  a  j^rao*  f.' im the Kinj;, 
under  his  own  »igr>  manual,  ti/  Sir  William  JoJinson. 
f  Manuscripts  of  the  Itev,  John  (  Shfiw. 
t  MH.  n')l08  or  Lauren  Ford. 


IT'S!.]  STORV   OP   JOHN   CHRISTIAN    SHELL.  165 

that  every  man's  house  is  liis  castle,  refused  to  quit  his  own 
domicil  Ho  and  his  sons  were  at  work  in  the  field  when 
M  Donald  and  his  party  made  their  appearance:  and  the  chil- 

1  to  7T-  ;"\f -^""^^^'y  ''P-'-'^'^  «o  widely  irom  their  father, 
as  to  fall  mto  the  hands  of  die  enemy.     Sliell  and  his  otlier  bovs 
succeeded  in  reaching  tho.r  castle,  and  barricading  the  ponde- 
rous door      And  then  commenced  the  battle.      The  besiecrod 
were  well  armed,  .id  all  behaved  with  admirable  bravery  Tut 
one  more  bravely  than  Shell's  wife,  who  loaded  the  pic' ^s  as 
he   husband  and  sons  discharged  them.    The  battle  commenced 
7?  'i^fx!'  """^  ^°"ti""°'^  ""til  dark.     Several  attempts  were 
made    y  M'Donald  to  set  fire  to  the  castle,  but  without  fuccZ! 
and  his  forces  were  repeatedly  driven  back  by  the  gallino-  fire 
they  received      M'Donald  at  length  procured  a  crow-bar^md 
a  tempted  to  force  the  door;  but  while  thus  engaged  he  receTved  a 
shot  m  the  leg  from  Shell's  blunderbuss,  whifh  put  Im  t; 
du  combat.    None  of  his  men  being  sufficiently  near  at  the 
moment  to  rescue  him,  Shell,  quick  as  lightning,  opened  the  door 

^tuZ  r  ""'"  ^'^  "^"^  '  P"^°"^^--     ^'^^^  niisfortune  o' 
f        f^fllfS^^'^'^n^vas,  that  their  ammunition  began  to  run 
low;  but  M'Donald  was  very  amply  provided,  and  fo  savelTs 
own  life,  he  surrendered  his  cartridges  to  the  garrison  to  fire 
upon  his  comrades.     Several  of  the  enemy  having  been  killed 
and  others  wounded,  they  now  drew  ofi^  for  .  r:spite      She 
and  his  troops,  moreover,  needed  a  little  breathing  time ;  and  feel- 
ing assured  that,  so  long  as  he  had  the  commanding  officer  of     e 
besiegers  in  his  possession,  the  enemy  would  hardly  attempt  to 
burn   he  citadel,  he  ceased  firing.     He  then  went  up  stoii.     nd 
sang  the  hymn  wliich  wa.  a  favorite  of  Luther  durim:       Irils 
and  afflictions  of  the  Great  Reformer  in  his  oontrov«r   es  w 

Z  B^t  h '''"'  'r  '""'r'^ '''  ^'^'^'"^  nkewiii:^.:^! 

mg.  But  tlioy  soon  afterward  rallied  ngain  to  the  fight,  and  made 
desperateeflorttocarry  the  fortress  by  assault.  Ilu  hing  un  to 
ho  walls  five  of  them  thrust  the  mu.^les  of  ti.eir  guns  tln-oiLh 
the  loop-holes  but  had  no  sooner  done  so,  than  Mrs.  Sfieli,  sei.iS 
an  axe,  by  quick  and  well-directed  blows  ruined  every  m'ket 
thus  thrust  through  the  walls,  by  benduig  the  barrels  I  T  few 


-v-m " 

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166 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


more  well-directed  shots  by  Shell  and  liis  sons  once  more  drove 
the  asscailaiits  back.  Shell  thertnipon  ran  up  to  the  second  story, 
just  in  the  twilight,  and  calling  out  to  his  wife  with  a  lond 
voice,  informed  her  that  ('aptain  Small  was  approaching  from 
Fort  Dajrton  with  succors.  In  yet  louder  notes  he  then  e.vclaim- 
ed — "  «;aptain  Small,  march  your  company  round  upon  this  sido 
of  the  house.  Capf^ain  Getman,  you  iiad  better  wheel  your 
mull  off  to  the  left,  and  come  up  upon  that  side."  There  were, 
of  course,  no  troops  approacliing ;  but  the  directions  of  Shell 
were  given  with  sucli  precision,  and  such  apparent  earnest- 
ness and  sincerity,  that  the  stratagem  succeeded,  and  the  enemy 
immediately  lied  to  the  woods,  taking  away  the  twin-lads  as 
prisoners.*  Setting  the  best  provisions  they  had  before  their 
reluctant  guest,  Shell  and  liis  family  lost  no  time  in  repairing 
to  Fort  Davtoa,  which  they  reached  in  safety — leaving  M'Do- 
nald  in  the  quiet  possession  of  the  ciustle  he  had  been  striving  to 
capture  in  vain.  Some  two  or  three  of  M'Donald's  Indians 
lingered  about  the  premises  to  ascertain  the  fate  of  their  leader ; 
and  finding  that  Shell  and  his  family  had  evacuated  the  post, 
ventured  in  to  visit  him.  Not  being  able  to  remove  him,  how- 
ever, on  taking  themselves  off,  tlicy  charged  their  wounded 
leader  to  inform  Shell,  that  if  he  would  be  kind  to  him,  (M'Do- 
nald,)  they  would  take  good  care  of  his  (Shell's)  cnptive  boys. 
TM'Donald  was  the  next  day  removed  to  the  fort  by  Captain 
Small,  where  his  leg  was  amputated;  but  the  blood  could  not 
be  stanclud,  and  he  died  in  a  few  hours.t  The  lads  were  car 
ricd  into  Canada.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  on  the  ground  wns 
eleven  killed  and  six  wounded.  The  boys,  who  were  rescued  af- 
ter the  war,  reported  that  they  took  twelve  of  their  wounded  away 
witli  them,  nine  of  whom  died  before  they  arrived  in  Canada.* 
At  a  subsequent  day.  Shell,  being  at  work  in  the  field  wuli 
his  two  sons  at  no  great  distance  from  the  fort,  was  fired  upon 
by  a  party  of  Indians  concealed  in  the  standing  wheat,  wid 

•  Onfi  of  SIipU's  ncishbors  lay  in  ambush  during  tho  battle,  and  heard  Shell's 
directions  to  Small  nnd  Getman. 

t  M'Donalfl  wore  a  silver-mounfod  tomahawk,  which  wag  taken  from  him  by 
Shell.  I'  was  marked  by  thirty  soalp-notches,  showing  that  few  Indians  could  have 
been  more  industrious  than  him!<elf  in  gathering  thnt  (lpscti|)tion  of  military  trophies. 

T  Among  the  ?lain  was  a  white  man,  who  had  two  thumbs  on  one  hand.  One  of 
Shol!'.<  POM3  i-s  vei.  living  in  Canada,  being  a  member  of  the  Duiikard's  Society,  in 
the  neidiUjilmiiii  df  Toronti>. 


1781.] 


INVASION   OP   ULSTER   COUNTY. 


167 


severely  ^voundcd.  Ho  called  to  his  sons  not  to  allow  the  In- 
d  ans  to  scalp  lam  ;  and  neither  of  the  brave  boys  would  retreat 
until  a  -uard  came  from  the  fort  to  their  relief  But  in  the  dis- 
ch.^geo    this  filial  duty,  one  of  them  was  lulled  and   h    oth^ 

tlie  lort     IlKs  deeds  were  commemorated  in  one  of  the  most 
uae  and  prosaic  of  ballads.     I3nt  h.s  memory  is  yet  green  m 

the  remembrance  of  tlie  German  population  of  Herlamer/ 

The  policy  of  the  enemy  al  the  north,  dnrincr  the  whole  sea- 
son, was  to  divide  their  own  forces  into  small  detachments,  and 
harass  the  border  settlements  at  as  many  different  points  as 
possible-thus  distracting  the  attention  of  ihe  people,  and  by  al- 

owing  them  neither  a  sense  of  security  nor  repose,  rendering 
them  disgusted  with  .he  protracted  struggle.  The  most  formidt 
able  movement  of  the  Indians  and  Tories  during  the  Summer 
months  was  the  descent  of  Captain  Cauldwell,  from  Niac^ara. 
upon  the  border  of  Ulster  County,  at  the  head  of  about  fou 
hundred  Indians  and  Tories.  The  first  intelligence  of  this  ir- 
rnption  w.^  received  in  Albany  by  General  Gansevoort,t  by 
letter,  as  follows :—  '      ' 

Governor  Clinton  to  General  Gansevoort, 
«gj^  " -Po//o•/^A•eey>,s•^e,  ylv/^n6-n4,  1781 

"  Last  Sunday,  a  body  of  the  enemy,  to  the  amount  of  al,out 
^::^u'^'^''  and  ninety  Tones,  appeared  on  the  f  on 
tiers  of  Ulster  County.     They  took  a  small  scout  Colonel  Paul- 
Caatihaa  romance  and  -VtooriHli  ballad.  *"'"'"' 

t  I"  the  r->organization  of  tlie  army,  at  the  c!o=c  of  ti„.  venr  1 780  Pnlnn^l  n 
~  was  Icfr  ont  of  service  in  the  ii„e,  by  seniontv  in  ran,        ,  ^'ffi^i,"'''  ^Z 
a  b„,ad,er  general  of  the  m.li.ia,  however,  s.at.oncd  at  Alban>  frv^  ^^  ! 

continnal  nqu.mt.on,  sinco,  in  the  absence  of  renular  Croons  hi!' hT 
ch.erdependonoeofthenor,hcr„«ec,ionoftheS     Hr     ^Xnlf.rr 

::;  zr  t"-  ™' '-  r  ^^^"""'-'^^  ^''"  '^^ «°--  ^  r ;'  "x 


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168 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1781. 


I 


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inu-  nad  sent  out,  and  from  them  it  is  supposed  obtained  infor- 
mation of  the  disposition  of  the  levies  in  that  qiuirtcr,  wliom  they 
passed  by,  mid  wore  iirst  discovered  at  the  settlement  of  War- 
wasing.  From  the  last  accounts  they  had  retired ;  but  how 
far,  is  not  known.  Tiie  militia  have  been  collected  and  marched 
to  oppose  or  pursue  them,  as  circumstances  may  render  expedi- 
ent. From  their  force,  it  is  not  probable  they  will  leave  the 
country  without  attcmptin<T  farther  miscliief  in  that  or  some 
other  quai-ter.  I  conceive  it  necessary,  therefore,  to  give  you 
this  information  that  you  may  take  proper  steps  with  your  mili- 
tia in  case  this  party  should  take  their  route  toward  the  frontier 
of  your  county ;  and  I  would  particularly  recommend  that  a 
part  of  your  brigade  be  immediately  marched  to  Schoharie,  for 
the  protection  of  that  settlement  until  this  party  shall  entirely 
have  o-one  olT.  The  account  of  the  enemy's  strength  is  from  one 
Vrooman,  who  deserted  them ;  which  is  confirmed  from  their 
appearance  to  a  small  party  of  levies,  who  saw  them  paraded  at 
a  house  they  attacked,  and  which  the  party  defended.  By  a 
more  particuUu:  account  received  this  morning,  (and  which  was 
the  first  that  demanded  credit,)  they  have  burnt  ;uid  destroyed 
about  a  dozen  houses,  with  their  barns,  &,c.,  among  which  are 
those  of  John  G.  Hardcnburgh,  Esq.  They  killed  only  one  of 
the  inhabitants,  the  rest  having  made  a  timely  escape  from  their 
liouses.  The  levies  stationed  there  were  by  no  means  sufficient 
to  turn  out  and  oppose  them  ;  but  those  wlio  were  in  the  house 
defended  themselves  with  spirit  against  the  assaults  of  the  enemy, 
by  which  means  several  of  theiu  are  said  to  have  fallen,  and 
many  houses  were  saved. 

«  I  am,  with  great  esteem, 

"  Sir,  your  most  obd'i  serv't, 
"Geo.  Clinton. 
"  Brisr-  Gen.  GansevoortJ^* 

Captain  Cauldwell  was  an  officer  in  RiUler's  rangers.  •  TTlio 

•  ColonH  Vnvvnnn,  at  Schoharie,  linvin  honn)  of  the  invasion  of  T'lstPr  County 
by  Caii'dwvll,  wrotn  a  f  .cssiDg  Icttor  to  Oem-ral  Ginspvoort,  for  sj^istancp,  o'l  ths 
9nmp  day  that  the  Gjvprtior  wr  te  fi'^m  Pot;.jtt!tf.tw  .  Colonel  Henry  Van  ?mis- 
splacr  was  forthwith  ordered  to  St-hoh.i.i' »ith  hf»  r^-simewt,  and  Colonel  Wcmple 
was  directpd  to  ♦'nJ  a  detaehmmt  of^iis  reuirnpnt  Ihitlwr,  fiww  SchenertaiH.  to- 
gether with  as  m«n>  of  the  Oneida  Indians  as  he  cx)ul<l  engage.  Fortunately,  hut 
Btfl^ices  were  not  rtquirja  in  action. 


178L] 


INVASION   OP   ULSTKR    COUNTY. 


169 

was  the  Indian  leader  on  the  occasion,  is  not  Icnown      Th.ir 
-no  f.^.  Niagara  ,.d  heen  Ly  wa^  of  the  C^^nun^      d 

te  De'lf     'T."^  '•''  Snsquehanna,  by  ,hc  Lac  lea  wax  n  to 
the  Delaware.     The  stockade  forts  at  the  norlh  of  the  I  nek. 
waxen,  and  at  Neversink,  had  been  passed  unob  orved     f.  ok" 
.ly,   however,   for  the   inhabitants,  \shortly   befoarCauldweU 
-■ached  the  settlements,  a  scouting  party  hll  descried  h^  ad 
vance,  and,  e  uding  the  enemy's  pnrsuit,  had  sncce^ed  i    c<^n-" 

It  was  j„,st  at  the  first  blush  of  morning  that  Cauldwell  passed 
Iho  s,mll  fortress  on  the  frontier  of  AVarwasin-..     BeinrS 

vl.o,  wi  h  a  guard  of  nme  men,  was  stationed  at  a  point  abou 
.ree  mUos  distant  from  the  fort.     Proceeding  immedi  tetyTn 
to  d,roct.on  o  the  sound,  Hardenbnrgh  and  his  litl  b  mi'n.^ 
tf.o  enemy  on  h.s  way,  directing  their  course  toward  the  Td 
.lonnng  settlement  of  Mombackus-now  called  Rochesle       No 

h,ng  daunted  the  Captain  gave  the  enemy  battle ;  but' befnt 
closely  pressed,,  he  soon  discovered  that  Jiis  retreat  had  been  cut  of 
by  a  party  of  Indians,  who  had  gained  his  rear     In  h  s  d  em 
-,.  being  yet  not  ,mte  light,  Hardenburgh' wht  ^X" 
ook  refuge  in  a  small  stone  house  near  by,  owned  bv  .  Mr 
votrle    winch  had  probably  not  been  observed  by  the  « 
Here  they  found  six  militia-men  more-making  sixt^Tn  df 

l..e  latter  advanced  several  times  to  carry  the  house  bv  iss-iuK 
at  as  some  of  their  number  were  each  tim'e  doom  d  t  I     tty 

"2"  r:  '"';  "1'  '"  '"  "^'  rehnquished  the  undertali  .!! 
k-avmg  tinrteen  dead  upon  the  field.     In  marching  forward  Uvo 

o™.  ofT^"'"  •'''  'r^^  '''  ^'''-y  ''''  '^  wlh  S ,  t 
0  vne.  of  the  premises  where  they  had  been  so  roughly  handled 

Ho,  poor  fellow,  was  killed  and  scalped  * 

Captain  IleniT  Pauling,  with  a  detachment  of  the  re.imo.t 
ofState  levies  commanded  by  Colonel  Albert  Paulino-  wV    ,,     " 
foned  at  a  point  about  six  miles  distant  from  the   c^^e  of  ne" 
action  just  described.     He  hastened  forward,  but  SX^  Z 

•MS.  Btatemeat  of  Captain  Vutentine  Davis,  in  tl,e  author's  possession. 

VOL.   II. 


iifff* 


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mumm^m 


lit; 


170 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


,1 


lato  to  have  a  brush  with  the  enetny,  and  only  in  season  to  cnp- 
tiiro  one  stra;:?glii)j,'  prisoner  who  was  lingering  for  fruit  in  an  ap- 
ple orchard.*     Finding  his  reception  rather  warm,  and  perceiv- 
ing indications  of  farther  and  more  powerful  opposition  to  his 
advance,  Cauldwell  was  already  in  full  retreat.     Nor  did  he 
commence  retracing  his  steps  a  moment  too  soon  for  his  own 
safety.     The  news  of  his  advance  having  reached  the  west  bank 
of  the  Hudsop,  where  Colonel  Pauling,  of  the  State  levies,  and 
Colonel  John  Cantine,  with  a  body  of  militia,  were  stationed, 
those  officers  marched  immediately  to  the  relief  of  the  invaded 
settlements.  .  They  arrived  at  the  outskirts  in  time  to  catch  a 
o-limpse  of  the  enemy's  rear,  and  to  relieve  some  of  the  inhabit- 
ants, amono-  whom  were  a  man  and  his  wife,  who  had  conduct 
nd  themselves  with  dis'iM^^nished  bravery.     His  house  was  coti 
structed  of  unhewn  1  -       u\  the  woods,  and  in  advance  of  all 
others.     On  the  aiip-  - m  c:  of  the  foe,  he  tied  to  his  castle  with 
his  wife,  and  securing  ii  In  the  best  manner  he  could,  gave  bat- 
tle to  a  party  of  the  hidians  who  laid  siege  to  his  fortress.     Be- 
ino-  well  armed,  he  defended  himself  with  so  mucli  spirit,  that 
they  recoiled  with  loss.  Finding,  after  several  attempts,  that  they 
could  not  force  an  entrance,  the  hidians  collected  a  heap  of  com- 
bustibles, and  set  fire  to  the  premises.     Retiring  a  short  distance 
to  see  the  result,  the  man  watched  his  opportunity,  and  rushing 
out  with  a  couple  of  buckets,  he  procured  water,  which  was 
close  at  hand,  and  extinguished  the  fire.     The  Indians,  of  con  rse, 
ran  down  upon  him ;  but  not  being  quick  enough  of  foot  to  pre- 
vent his  gaining  the  door,  hurled  their  tomahawks  at  his  head- 
happily  without  effect.     He  entered  his  castle,  made  fast  his 
sally-port,  and  re-comroenced  his  defence.     Just  at  this  moment 
Colonel  Pauling  with  his  troops  appeared  in  sight,  whereupon 
the  Indians  raised  the  siege  and  departed.     Colonel  Pauling  was 
absent  in  pursuit  seven  days,  but  did  not  overtake  them.     The 
enemy  suffered  severely.     They  lost  a  goodly  number  of  their 
men  •  took  only  two  prisoners  and  but  little  plunder  ;  and  were  so 
near 'starvation,  that  they  were  compelled  to  devour  their  dogs 
before  they  reached  their  head-quarters.l 

•  MS.  of  Major  Thomas  Sammorft,  who  was  at  this  time  serving  in  the  corps  of 
Captain  Pa'iling.  The  prisoner  taken  from  the  enemy  was  recognized  as  an  old 
neighlior  of  hislfallier's  at  Johnstown,  who  had  served  in  the  company  of  which 
Jac'ub  aauiuioas  was  Uic  lieutenant.  t  Major  Sammons. 


1781.]  INCIDENTS    WITH   THE    SHAWANESE.  |71 

The  SImwanese  and  other  western  Indians  seem  to  have 

on  7«i      'T^r'''^''^  "^"^'^  '^"""^^  *'^«  ^i'^'^'^S  "nd  Sunnner 
ot  1781       The  Kentucky  sottloinents  wore  for  the  most  part  un- 
molested, save  by  a  feeble  attack  upon  M'Afee's  station  near 
Ilarrodsburgh.     The  assaihmts,  however,  were  but  a  strac,..li„o. 
party  of  Indians  who  hnng  about  the  stockade,  and  wereulti! 
">ate  y  pumslied  severely  for  their  temerity.     Two  of  them  were 
k.l  ed  by  an  equal  number  of  the  M'Afees,  whom,  having  left  the 
fort  for  some  purpose,  the  Indians  attempted  to  cut  off  on  their 
return.     The  Indians  then  commenced  an  attack  upon  the  fort 
but  a  party  of  cavalry  arriving  suddenly  from  Ilarrodsburcrh! 
ll-o  garrison  sallied  forth,  and  the  savages  were  quickly  dis- 
persed, wuh  a  loss  of  six  killed  outright,  and  several  o'thers, 
xvhmn  they  bore  away,  wounded.     A  few  days  afterward,  Brv- 
ants  station,  which  was  yet  more  exposed,  was  visited  by  the 
Indians.     Bryant,  who  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Colonel  Boon 
haying  arranged  a  large  hunting  party  of  twenty  men,  left  his 
fort  on  an  expedition  down  the  Elk-horn.    Havinc.  divided  his 
company  m  order  to  sweep  a  broader  extent  of  country  for  c^ame 
by  reason  of  a  fog,  and  other  untoward  circumstances,  they  fail' 
ed  of  uniting  at  the  points  designated.     Meantime  the  Indians 
vvere  hanging  about  both  divisions,  and  by  stratagem  succeeded 
m  defeating  both.    In  one  of  their  skirmishes  B^ant  wrmoT 
ally  wounded  and  another  man  severely.     It  was  reported  that 
the  htinters,  taken  by  surprise,  were  deficient  in  firmness,  when 
Bryant  fell.     On  the  following  day  they  encountered  Ihe  In 
uians  again,  and  defeated  them. 


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CHAPTER  VI. 


Increase  of  disafTuction  in  the  North — ScizurM  of  prominent  citizens  by  bands  of 
loyaliats  from  Canada — Captivity  of  Jolin  J.  Bleccitei— Plot  against  General 
Gansevoort — Daring  attempt  upon  General  Rdiiiyier  in  the  city  of  Albany,  by 
John  Waltermcver — Intrepidity  of  Margaret  Schuyler — Arrest  of  loyalists  at  the 
Beaver  Dams — Mysterious  movements  of  the  enemy  on  Laki?  Cham|)lain — Con- 
troversy with  the  New-Hampshire  Grants — Sketeh'of  its  oriiiiii— Outrasjea  of  the 
Vermont  insurgents — Declaration  of  Inr'ependence  by  the  Grants— Interpo'-ition 
of  Congress — its  authority  disreanrdc'd — Progress  of  the  controversy — Difficult 
situation  of  General  Gansevoort — Suspucled  intercourse  of  tlie  Verniontesewith 
the  enemy — Letter  of  Governor  Clinton — Invasion  of  the  Mohawk  country  by 
Major  Ross — Warrens-bush  ravaged — March  of  thu  cnijmy  to  Johnstown— Fol- 
lowed by  Willett  with  the  liivies  and  militia — Battle  of  Johnstown — Ross  defciil- 
ed — Pursued  by  Willett,  and  routed  at  Jcrscyfield— Death  of  Walter  N.  Bdtler 
— General  progress  of  the  war— Arnold  in  Virs  nia— R^'turnsto  the  North,  and 
destroys  Groton  and  New  London — Siege  ofYorkcnwn  and  capture  of  Corn- 
wallis — Affiirs  of  the  North — Meditated  treachery  of  Vermont — Message  of 
Governor  Clinton —Briti^^h  open  a  correspondence  with  the  Vermont  insu-g.-nts — 
Mission  of  Ira  Allen  to  Canada — Separate  armistice  with  Vermont — Stipulations 
for  erecting  Vermont  into  a  royal  colony — Correspondence  with  the  enemy  during 
the  Summer — Negotiations  renewed  at  Skenesborough — St.  Leger  ascends  the 
lake  with  a  strong  force — An  awkward  occurrence  for  the  Vermontere — Excite- 
ment at  the  seat  of  Government  of  the  Grants — Throwing  dust  in  the  eyes  of  the 
people — Ncwsofthe  surrender  of  Cornwallia — Itseffi-rt  in  Vermont — Causes  the 
hasty  return  of  St.  Leger  to  Canada — Insurrection  in  the  north-eastern  towns  of 
New- York,  in  connexion  with  the  Vermontese — Troubles  of  General  Gansevoort 
—  Unable  to  quell  the  insurgents—Cherokee  Indians— Close  of  the  year. 

Emboldened  by  the  feeble  state  of  the  country,  and  by  the 
increased  numbers  of  the  disaffected  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Albany,  especially  at  tho  north  of  that  city,  in  consequence  of  the 
equivocal  indications  in  Vermont,  the  scouting  parties  of  the 
enemy  were  exceedingly  .ictive  and  audacious  in  their  incur- 
sions. Their  chief  object  was  to  seize  tho  persons  of  the  most 
conspicuous  and  iuflf.ential  inhabitants,  for  transfer  into  Canada 
as  prisoners.  Among  tho  notable  loaders  in  this  species  of  war- 
fare were  two  bold  partisans,  named  .Tosoph  Bettys  and  .Tolin 
Waltermeyer.  The  daring  misdeeds  of  Bettys,  if  collected, 
would  of  themselves  fiu'uish  materials  for  a  small  vohnno. 
Waltermeyer  was  perhaps  equally  daring,  but  loss  savage  in  his 
disposition.  In  the  month  of  April,  a  party  of  fifteen  or  s'xteon 
of  the  enemy  broke  in  upon  the  town  of  Coxsackie  and  the  conti- 
giio'is  settlements,  carrying  off  several  prisoners ;  among  whom 
were  David  Abeel  and  his  son,  residing  a  few  miles  south  of 
Catskill. 


1781  1 

■J  PUN   TO   SEIZE   OEKERAl   GANSEVOORT.  173 

hroi.  •'•"'itivu,  ot    loiiihajiic,  whoso  family  hud  hppr 

month  of  \i„-„«.^r,i  '""'■" '™d  in  trau,,iiil,ty  until  the 
pris  x^^m  ,^f„  '"  '""™'  >"""■  i  '•"  «''"<=h  time  he  ,vas  sur- 
va    a,  d  c  '        ■  '''"^"T"""«  hi"  l"l'"'=rs  in  the  wl,cat  har- 

alarm  Zs  '»  ''■"='=;  ""d  ■■^"i^d  Imnwithou.  pormittinji 
a  arm,  M,s.  Utmb-v  was  jpiorant  of  the  occurrences  R„f  h.r 
husband  not ,«  „■,„„.,,  ,„  ,,„  ,,„,  ,,„„  „„  ™^«-    B"*,  her 

«n.ri;;:':"nr  '"■"'"""" """  »•'  --ot^rwhrn'he 

hood  was  ahtrnted a  se„,.h  for  him  ,S:    u.  Z\Z''^ 

on«husha„dfe,,i^l^-;f.p:— :^,  ^ilLirC 
ton,  who  rescued  the  prisoners  •  and  Mr  Ri«n  i      i  T  ,^^'^S- 

ness  to  rejoin  his  .ii nfie^^S^ ^^^''  ''''  ^^^  ^^'^PP^" 

e/rerCcS^r^  ^^^'^""^^'^'  -'■-«  already 

Deen  stated,  General  Gnnscvoort  was  no  longer  in  the  recnihr 

service   yet,  as  an  experienced  officer,  and  the  c  nmandS  of 

he  m.htia  m  that  part  of  the  state,  his  services  and  his  con  sel 

wei;e  m  contuuutl  requisition;  nor  was  tiiere  a  more  act  ve  offi 

cer  m  the  .ervice,  regular  or  irregular,  or  one  more  burd    ed  wth 

duties.    It  was  therefore  an  object  with  the  enemyt  remove 

him  from  his  post  if  possible.    A  scheme  was  therefore  devised 

o  sei^e  h.ni  at  one  of  the  ferries  which  he  was  about  to  cZ 

the  elocution  of  which  was  entrusted  to  a  hostile  partan  nin  ed 

lanckrey.      By  soino  moans,  however.  Colonel  Henry  V^ 

.geofSl.  '"^''    •^•'^  ^""^  "'  T'""''""*^  i«  1?83,  ..{  the  early 


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174 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


Rensselaer,  at  Half  Moon,  obtained  information  of  the  project, 
and  lost  no  tiniJ  in  admonishing  the  General  of  his  danger  by 
letter.  Having  also  heard  of  the  rendezvous  of  Tanckreyand 
his  gang,  Van  Rensselaer  despatched  a  detachment  of  troops  un- 
der Major  Schennerhorn,  for  their  apprehension.  They  were 
found  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Douglass ;  but  before  Schermer- 
liorn's  troops  had  surrounded  tlie  house,  their  approach  was  dis- 
covered, and  they  were  fired  upon  by  the  marauders ;  all  of 
whom,  with  a  single  exception,  succeeded  in  getting  off  through 
the  rear  of  the  house.  Two  of  Schermcrhorn's  militia  were 
wounded.* 

But  the  boldest  enterprise  of  the  kind  was  the  projectea 
abduction  of  General  Schuyler  from  his  residence  in  Albany,  or 
rather  in  the  suburbs  of  that  city,  in  the  month  of  August. 
Schuyler  was  not  at  that  time  in  the  army,  having  exchanged 
the  military  for  the  civil  service  of  his  country  two  years  before.f 
Still,  his  military  exertions  were  almost  as  great,  and  his  coun- 
sels were  as  frequently  sought  and  as  highly  valued,  as  though 
he  were  yet  in  command  of  the  department.  Added  to  which,  he 
had  been  specially  charged  by  the  Commander-in-chief  with  ♦'^n, 
prosecution  of  all  practicable  measures  for  intercepting  the 
muni  cations  of  the  enemy.t  Aside  from  this  circumstance,  ^uo 
acquisition  of  a  person  of  his  consideration  as  a  prisoner,  would 
have  been  an  important  object  to  Sir  Frederick  Haldimand,  the 
British  Commander  in  Canada,  A  desperate  effort  was  therefore 
resolved  upon  for  his  capture.  For  this  purpose  John  Walter- 
meyer,  the  bold  and  reckless  Tory  partisan  already  mentioned, 

♦  MS.  Letter  of  Col.  Henry  Van  Rnnssolanr  toGenernl  'lansevoort. 

t  "It  waa  not  until  the  Autumn  of  1779  that  the  conduct  of  General  Schuyler, 
in  the  campaign  of  1777,  was  submitteil  to  the  investigation  of  a  court-martial.  He 
was  acquitted  of  every  chargH  with  the  highest  honor,  and  thesontencc  wasconfiriiu'd 
by  Congress.  He  shortly  afterward,  upon  his  earnest  and  repi'atel  solicitations, 
had  leave  to  retire  from  the  army,  and  devoted  the  remainder  of  his  life  to  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country  in  its  political  councils.  He  had  prpvioiisly  been  in  Congress, 
and  on  his  return  to  that  body,  after  the  termination  of  his  military  life,  his  talents, 
experience,  and  energy,  were  put  in  immodiate  requisition  ;  and  in  November,  1779, 
he  was  appointed  to  confer  with  General  Washington  on  the  state  of  the  southern 
department.  In  1781  he  was  in  the  Senate  of  this  state;  and  wherever  he  was 
placed,  and  whatever  might  be  the  business  before  him,  he  gave  the  utmost  activity 
to  measures,  and  left  upon  thorn  the  impression  of  his  prudence  and  sagacity." — Chan- 
cftlnr  Kent 

t   Ijottor  from  VVashingion  to  General  Sciinylor,  May  1  i,  J78I. 


>'81.]       ATTEMPTED   ABDUCTION   OP   .«.  aCH.VLER.         178 

pmes  and  shru,«„,<,  .l.icl,  ye.  .^oad  ov^  Ltl  n ,  e  e^I 

n!  f™"*  f  ^ho"'^.  •-"><!  "1»  W  !«..  rcle,u,cd  only  afle  Tak 
veyea  to  fiim  by  a  loyalist  to  whom  the  intcntinn  nf  w.  u 
was  kno™    butwhowa.  General  Sd^^t^S' 
Of  course , he  General  and  his  family  wL  contamll '  ,^"    fe 

been  decoyed  mto  ambush  and  taken,  or  sna.cl  Jaw"  bv  smf 
d  n  ™lence,  afforded  ample  canse  fo.  the  exercise  of  'alVpoS 
bl.  v,plance  and  caution.  In  addition,  morcwer,  to  his  Z 
nousehold  proper,  the  General  had  a  .uiard  of  siy  m.n  T  ■ 
whom  -.ere  on  duty  by  day,  and  thr,5  by  „° Ih,"  '  """  °' 
It  was  in  the  evening  of  n  sultry  day  in  Aumist,  that  the 
G  neral  „s  sitting  with  his  family,  after  supper^  h.he  ft  « 

t^t  s';'hr^ :,"  "^  ""^  t'"^  °^''  -'- » "™  - 

«r    si  T  "'""' '"  -"I"*  "'"''  Wm  at  the  back 

gale.    Such  an  unusual  request  at  oneo  excited  suspicion    Th^ 

T7,:r<  "  """"'""'^  ™™  '""'  "--"'ant,,  WdispT^ 
ed.    The  three  sentniels  who  had  been  reli™.,)  f„.  ,i      '  , 

were  asleep  in  the  cellar ;  and  the  .h^  ^Z^s'  „„  d  h  "  T  '' 

on   .,.,,  were  rehashing  themselves  at  fllnTeM  '".  IlSl 

plot  m  the  garden.    Instead,  however,  of  Mnondm„  .„  ,1  "      • 

."..onto  meet  the  stranger'a.  the  ba'ck  Xhe  doC^'oHhe 

onse  were  instantly  closed  and  fastoni      TheOrra"  ran 

.,s  W-ehamber  for  his  arms,  and  having  hMdyJoTlereS 

oows  that  the  house  was  surrounded  hy  armed  men    ■,  „,■. 
W  was  discharged  for  the  purpose  of  ularn.il  ,1,^0;  ,    fr  , 


.e«..„eirb„st4ini;;;s;M:,.;j;h;:;;^r 


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176 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1781. 


an  agony  of  apprehension  «he  was  flying  to  its  rescue,  but 
the  General  would  not  permit  her  to  leave  the  apartment. 
The  third  daughter,  Margaret,*  instantly  rushed  forth,  and  de- 
scending to  the  nursery,  which  was  upon  tlio  ground  floor,  snatch- 
ed the  child  from  the  cradle,  where  it  was  yet  lying  unmolested. 
As  she  was  leaving  the  room  to  return,  a  tomahawk  wiis  hurled 
at  her  by  an  unseen  hand,  but  with  no  other  etfectthan  slightly 
to  injure  her  dress.  On  ascending  a  private  stairway,  she  was 
met  by  Waltermeyer  himself,  who  exclaimed — "  Wench  !  where 
is  your  master  1"  She  replied,  with  great  presence  of  mind — 
"  Gone  to  alarm  the  town."  T!ie  villains  had  not,  indeed,  enter- 
ed the  house  unopposed,  for,  on  hearing  the  noise  when  they 
were  breaking  in  the  doors,  the  three  men  in  the  cellar  sprang 
up,  and  without  stopping  to  dress,  rushed  up  stairs  to  the  back 
hall,  where  their  arms  had  been  left  standing  for  convenience  if 
wanted,  and  into  which  the  assailants  were  forcing  their  way. 
Most  unluckily,  however,  the  arms  of  the  guards  were  not  at  hand. 
Mrs,  Churchjt  who  had  lately  returned  from  Boston,  perceiving 
that  her  little  sonj  was  playing  with  the  muskets,  and  not  enter- 
taining the  slightest  suspicion  that  they  would  be  wanted,  had 
caused  them  to  be  removed  a  few  hours  before  the  attack,  with- 
out informing  the  guard  of  the  circumstance.  The  brave  fellows 
had  therefore  no  other  means  of  resistance,  after  the  yielding 
of  the  doors,  than  by  dealing  blows  as  soundly  as  they  could 
with  their  fists,  and  also  by  embarrassing  the  progress  of  the 
enemy  otherwise  as  they  might,  while  the  General  was  collect- 
ing his  family  aloft. 

But  to  return  :  Miss  Margaret  had  no  sooner  informed  Wal- 
termeyer that  her  father  had  gone  abroad  for  reinforcements, 
than  the  traitor  recalled  his  followers  from  the  dining-room— 
where  it  appeared  they  were  at  the  moment  engaged  in  bagging 
the  plate,  from  which  work  of  plunder  he  had  in  vain  urged 
them  to  desist,  that  they  might  perform  the  more  important  ob- 
ject of  their  mission — for  consultation.     Just  at  that  moment,  the 

▼  Afterward  the  first  lady  of  the  present  vcnernble  and  excellent  Genernl  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer, 

f  Another  daugliter  of  Genernl  Schnyler,  married  to  John  B.  Church,  E^<\.,  an 
English  gentleman,  contractor  for  the  French  army  in  America,  and  afterward  a 
member  of  Parliament.  He  died  in  1918.  [The  venerable  widow  of  Alexander 
Oaniillon  is  also  a  daughter  of  General  Schuyler.] 

I  The  present  Captain  Philip  Church,  of  Allcgh-my  county,  (N.  Y.) 


17-81.]  THE    DISAFFECTED    ,N    AM.ANV   COUNTY.  17? 

.md  »c(  ure  the  villains  wl.o  uro  plundoriiiir."*     The  stratagem 
succeeded  and  the  party  niade  a  precipituU,  ;troat  car«t^ 
.cm  the  three  men  who  had  vainly,  and  withotu  arn^onp^  d 
e.r  entrance,!  one  of  whom  had  heon  wo.nnlod  in  deZS 
0  passage,  while  Waltermeyer  Imusoif  was  slightly  wo^df 
by  one  o  the  shots  of  Schuyler  fron,  the  windo^      Thns  pro 
V,  ej.t.ally,  was  the  third  conspiracy  against  the      r  J     gL  .' 
a  Schuyler  defeated.!     The  alann  was  hoard  in  the  city, Tr 
he  General  had  fired  several  shots  durin.  the  affray  •  bu  be 
fc.0  any  of  the  cuizens  arrived  at  the  scc.e  of  action,;^^ 

Takmg  Gen,.ral  Gordon  of  that  place,  a  prisoner  from  his  bed, 

aL  ^n^,  "^-'Tt  ^''  -^"'"'"^y  '"^«'^  '^  Canada-having 

failed  in  the  prmcipal  object  of  his  expedition 

It  may  well  be  imagined  that  the  situation  of  a  people  dwell- 
ing m  such  perpetual  insecurity,  was  cxcuedingi;  unpleasant 
Nor  were  they  m  dread  only  of  a  most  subtle  and  Lv  foXm 
without.     The  disaffected  were  more  mnnorous  than  eJenioI 
themselves  and  the  inhabitants  scarcely  know  who  among  their 
o.v„  neighbors  could  be  tnisted.     Early  in  Septembei  it  was 
represented  to  General  Gansevoort  that  Uio  disaffected  h  d  no 
only  become  formidable  in  numbers  in  tho  western  and  Z2 
western  parts  of  the  County  of  Albany,  but  were  harboriir^d 
adnuriistenng  comfort  to  parties  of  tho  oncmy  sent  from  Canal, 
.r  flf     ^^''  P'°^''^"*^«"  «^^he  species  of  warfare  already  dec- 
cr  b^d  in  the  present  chapter-adding  to  the  seizure  of 'those 
men  who  were  most  active  in  the  cause  of  their  country,  the 
destruction  of  their  dwellings,  and  the  murder  of  their  w^men 

•  Letter  of  Schuyler  to  Genera!  Washington,  Aug.  1781 


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178 


LIFE   OP  BRANT. 


[1781. 


and  children.*  Under  these  circumstances,  Colonel  Philip  P. 
Schuyler,  with  a  strong  detachment  of  militia  from  Gansevoort's 
hrigado,  was  despatched  into  the  settlements  designated,  particu- 
larly to  the  Beaver  Dams,  where  the  family  of  Captain  Deitz 
had  been  so  cruelly  murdered  in  1777,  with  orders  to  arrest  the 
disaffected,  and  bring  tliem  to  Albany,  together  with  their  fami- 
lies and  effects.  The  orders  of  General  Gansevoort  were  issued 
on  tlie  9th  of  September.  On  the  16th,  Colonel  Schuyler  re- 
ported that  he  had  executed  his  commission.  From  seventy  to 
a  hundred  families  "  of  the  most  notoriously  disaffected,"  were 
arrested  and  brought  into  the  city,  where  they  were  placed  un- 
der a  more  vigilant  surveillance  than  could  be  exercised  over 
them  in  their  own  township. 

But  while  these  summary  proceedings  were  rendering  the 
country  about  Albany  more  secure  in  its  internal  relations,  the 
inhabitants  at  the  north  were  for  several  months  kept  in  a  state 
of  ceaseless  inquietude  and  alarm,  by  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  on  Lake  Champlain.  General  Heath  was  at  that  time 
invested  with  the  command  of  the  Northern  Department,  his 
head-ijuartcrs  being  in  the  Highlands.  At  Saratoga  General 
Stark  was  in  command,  and  Lord  Stirling  was  also  at  the  north. 
But  as  the  t!ommander-in-chief  had  drawn  the  main  army  to 
Virginia,  there  were  but  few  regular  troops  at  the  disposal  of 
those  officers.  The  consequence  was,  that  with  every  alarm 
from  Lake  Champlain,  (and  the  mysterious  movements  of  the 
enemy  rendered  those  alarms  most  inconveniently  frequent,)  Ge- 
neral Stark  was  making  pressing  applications  to  Gericral  Gan- 
sevoort for  assistance.  The  conduct  of  the  enemy  in  the  lake 
was  indeed  passing  strange.  It  was  ascertained  that  he  had 
more  than  once  ascended  the  lake  from  St.  John's,  with  a  force 
sufficiently  strong,  in  the  then  exposed  situation  of  the  northern 
frontier,  to  make  a  formidable  inroad  upon  the  settlements ;  and 
the  inhabitants  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  then  arrogating 
to  themselves  the  character  of  citizens  of  tlie  State  of  Vermont — 
not  being  in  the  secrets  of  their  leaders — were  as  frequently 
alarmed  as  were  those  of  the  settlements  admitted  by  the  Ver- 
montese  to  belong  to  New- York.  Still  the  enemy  attempted 
nothing  beyond  landing  at  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga,  and 

♦  MS.  order  of  Gcnnra!  Gansevoort 


P' 


rsi.] 


TROUBLES    WITH    VERMONT. 


179 


ma'^innr  a  few  occasional  and  inexplicable  manceuvres  with  his 

b...  >v^™e™  the  floe.  r:itw°d:r,:L':,;:t' 

There  was  yet  another  source  of  distraction  to  thp  c.  . 

d.fflc..l„es  here  referred  .„,  though  apparently TreZ°'t 
m.™  .„,ec.  of  the  present  work,  is  nZml  ZS  ess  n 
M  to  „  j„,.  understanding:  of  the  situation  of  aflairs  ir,he 
Northern  Department.     Those  who  are  verserl  in  ,1,1  u 

.eryofNew-Yorlc  and  Vermont,  eantt^hrClr  ;?* ''f  ^ 
Ihat  for  many  years  anterior  to  tlie  war  of  the  R„„„i  .  ' 
controversy  had  existed  hetween  the  G:™,  o  ^of  nI  wl  hr 
sh,re  and  New-York  respecting,  the  juri^lietion  of  tiZ!^Z 
now  constituting  the  State  of  Vermont     This  rn„.  „  ^ 

^f G '"  '''"•  T^  """""'■^ ««-"  y-- .  *.H  r:h  erjeii 

tit oTI'L:  ™7,''"T'™."' '"  "■^-  p~*"  »'■"■"  n' 

Srantsot  [ands  and  townships  in  the  disputed  tcrritorv     Im 
1-04  the  ,,„„i„„  „3  ^„^.^  Kin  "  n  co,m  7™d 

teion  rendered  in  fcvor  of  New-York,  eonfirn  in"  h  r  "1 
to  the  termory  north  of  Massaehusetts,  as  far  east  -^  th!  f-T 
necueut  river.  Under  this  decision,  the  ColonW  Go v  Tnm™." 
of  New-York  unwisely  gave  the  Order  in  Council  a  consm^c 

T  e°mm*rh  T"''""'  '"™'™^  *^  -1-S.L7/S  : 
iiic  grants  trom  the  Governor  of  TVpw  Wn^»,  u- 

*  MSS.  and  correspondence  of  General  Ganscvoort. 


lava* 

*. 

•I 


c;  tf 

11"  t  *i 
,1''  • ' 

"I '' 

"  .   K 


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m 


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180 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1781. 


from  Now- York.    This  demand  they  resisted,  and  with  this 
resistance  tlie  controversy  was  renewed  in  another  form,  and 
continued  with  great  vehemence,  and  with  but  little  interrup- 
tion, for  many  years.*     About  the  year  1770  tlio  celebrated 
Ethan  Allen  became  conspicuous  as  a  leader  of  "the  Green 
Mountain  Hoys  "  in  these  proceedings.     A  military  organization 
was  adopted,  and  the  mandates  of  the  courLs  of  New- York  were 
disregarded,  and  its  otliccrs  and  ministers  of  justice  openly  set 
at  deliance.     When  the  sheritf  o*'  Albany  appeared  witii  his 
posse  cnmVatiis,  the  CJrceii  Mountain  Boys  opposed  force  to 
force,  and  drove  them  back.     Lord  Dunmore  was  then  at  the 
head  of  the  colonial  government   of  New- York,  and  exerted 
himself  actively  to  maintain  its  territorial  claim.     An  act  of  out- 
lawry against  Allen  and  several  of  his  most  prdiiiiuent  asso- 
ciates was  passed,  and  a  reward  of  fifty  pounds  offered  for  Al- 
len's head.     Lord  Dunmore  issued  a  proclamation,  command- 
in^  the  sheritf  of  Albany  county  to  apprehend  the  offenders, 
and  commit  them  to  safe  custody,  that  they  might  be  brought 
to  condign  punishment  ;t  but  the  friends  of  Allen  were  too  nu- 
merous, "resolute,  and  faithful,  to  allow  of  his  arrest,  or  in  any 
manner  to  suffer  his  personal  safety  to  be  comproinised.J 

Governor  Tryon,  who  succeeded  Lord  Dunmore,  endeavored, 
both  by  force  and  by  conciliation,  to  \  acify  the  people  of  the 
Grants,  and  bring  them  back  to  their  fealty  to  New-York.  But 
in  vain.  Within  the  boundaries  of  the  disputed  territory,  the 
laws  of  New- York  were  inoperative.  It  was  to  no  purpose  that 
civil  suits,  brought  by  the  New- York  grantees,  were  decided  in 
their  favor  ;  process  could  not  be  executed ;  the  settlers  who 
had  purchased  farms  under  the  New-York  grantees,  were  forci- 
bly driven  away  ;  surveyors  were  arrested,  tried  under  the 
Lynch  code,  and  banished  under  the  penalty  of  death  sliould 
they  ever  again  be  caught  within  the  bounds  of  the  interdicted 
territory  :§  and  those  who  presumed  to  hold  commissions  of  the 
peace  under  the  authority  of  New- York,  were  tried  by  the  same 
courts,  and  inhumanly  chastised  with  rods  on  their  naked  backs, 
to  the  extent  of  two  hundred  stripes.  II 

♦  Slade's  Vermont  State  papers,  Introduction,  p.  17. 

t  Spiirks's  Life  of  Ethan  Allen.  .,     ,.„ 

I  President  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary.  §  Sparks— Life  of  Allen. 

II  By  way  of  indicating  their  feelings  toward  the  New-Yorkers,  there  was  an  inn 
at  B.Miuiii.'loi.,  called  the  ^^  Grca,  Mountain  Tavm,;'  the  sign  of  which  w«a  the 


p 


1781.] 


TIIOUBLES   WITH    VKRMONT. 


IS] 


Such  was  tho  posture  of  nffairs  betwoen  Ncnv-Yorlc  and  the 
people  of  ilie  New  Hampshire  Grants,  at  the  conimcnceniont  of 
the  RevohUiou.     But  the  batth,  of  Lexington  produced  a  shock 
which,  for  ttie  tune  hoin-,  arrested  tlie  prosecution  of  the  contro- 
versy.    New-York  was  culled  to  nerve  her  arm  for  a  hic^her 
and  nobler  contlict,  in  the  early  stages  of  which  she  was'iral. 
hintly  assisted  by  the  recusant  settlers  of  the  Grants.     Ethan 
Allen  iumself  struck  the  first  blow  at  the  north,  by  the  capture 
ot    liconderoga;  and  his  martial  companion  in  resistin-r  the 
authorities  of  New- York,  Colonel  Seth  Warner,  reiidered%iK- 
cient  service  at  tlie  battle  of  Bennington.     Still,  the  Vermon- 
tase  did  not  forget,  while  New-York  was  exerting  her  enerajus 
elsewhere,  to  prosecute  their  own  designs  for  an  entire  alicnaUon 
Irom  New- York,  and  a  separate  state  organization."     To  this 
end  all  tho  energies  of  the  chief  men  of  the  Grants  were  directed  • 
and  the  result  was,  that  the  Declaration  of  Independence  of  the 
British  crown,  by  Congress,  on  the  behalf  of  the  twelve  United 
Colonies,  of  July  4th,  1776,  was  followed  by  a  convention  of 
the  people  of  the  disputed  territory;  which  convention,  on  the 
15th  of  January,  1777,  declared  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  to 
be  a  free  and  independent  State,?  and  forwarded  a  memoria'  to 
Congress,  praying  for  admission  into  the  Confederation. 

Indignant  at  this  procedure,  the  state  of  New- York  sought 
the  interposition  of  Congress.  The  justice  of  tho  claim  of  New- 
York  was  fully  recognised  by  that  body ;  ...  -  the  memorial  from 
(he  Grants  was  dismissed,  by  a  resolution  ■  liiat  the  independent 
"government  attempted  to  be  established  by  the  people  of  Ver- 
*mont,,  could  derive  no  countenance  or  justification  from  any 
"act  or  resolution  of  Congress."  But  the  people  of  the  Grants 
persisted  m  their  determination  to  assert  and  maintain  their 
independence.   Nothing  daunted,  therefore,  by  the  adverse  action 

skin  of  a  catamount,  stuffed,  and  rai8ed  on  a  post  twenfy-five  feet  from  the  oro.md 
with  Its  head  turned  toward  New-York,  giving  defiance  to  all  intruders  from  that 
quarter.  It  was  at  this  tavern  that  that  powerful  and  inexorable  thou-h  ideal  per- 
sonage  J,^ff,ZyncA,wa«  wont  to  hold  his  courts  before  he  took  up  his  abode  at 
the  bouth.  Sometimes  the  delinquents,  who  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  obliged  to 
answer  mh,s  court  for  the  crime  of  purchasing;  lands  of  tho  real  owners,  or  for  ac 
knowledg.ng  the  government  to  which  by  law  they  belonged,  were  punished  by  be- 
ing  suspended  by  cords  m  a  chair,  beneath  the  catamount,  for  two  hour«.  This  was 
a  lemcnt  punishment.  The  more  common  one,  was  the  application  of  the  "benh 
teal  o  the  naked  back-or,  in  other  words,  a  flagellation  with  beechon  rods 
*  Slade's  Vermont  State  Papers— a  vahwhle  work.  t  Idem. 


L..> 

■ 

■lO'i  >a.  ■ 

J.  >■ 

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■■y           If- 

182 


LIFE   OF    DUANT. 


i-'l 


1 


i 


[1781. 

of  Congress,  tliny  procecdod  to  foim  a  constitution  niul  to  orgniiisp 
a.Stutu  Govommnnt;  tlio  mticliincry  of  which  was  fully  set  in 
motion  in  the  following  year,  1778. 

TIh!  Legislature!  of  Now- York  still  attcinptod  to  assert  its 
right  of  jurisdiction,  but  made  liberal  prolfersof  compromise  in 
regard  to  titles  of  lands— oirering  to  recognise  and  confirm  all 
the  titles  wiiich  had  previously  been  in  dispute.     A  proclama- 
tion to  this  effect,  conceived  in  the  most  liberal  spirit,  was  issued 
by  Governor  Clinton,  in  February,  1778  ;  avowing,  liowever, 
in  regard  to  the  contumacious,  "  the  rightful  supremacy  of  New- 
•<  York  over  their  persons  and  property,  as  disalfected  subjects."* 
But,  like  every  preceding  effort,  either  of  force  or  conciliation 
the  prcsetit  was  of  no  avail.     Ethan  Allen  issued  a  counter- 
proclamation  to  the  people  of  the  Grants,  and  the  work  of  their 
own  independent  organization  proceeded  without  serious  inter- 
ruption.!   They  were  the  more  encouraged  to  persevere  in  this 
course,   from   an  impression  that,  although    Congress  could 
not  then  sanction  proceedings  in  regard  to  New- York   that 
were  clearly  illegal ;  the  New  England  members,  and  some  of 
the  Southern  also,  wwild,  nevertheless,  not  be  very  deep  mourn- 
ers at  their  success.     Roger  Sherman  maintained  that  Congress 
had  no  right  to  decide  the  controversy,  and  was  supposed  to 
countenoiice  the  proceedings  of  which  New-York  complained. 
Elbridge  Gerry  held  that  Vermont  was  extra-provincial^  and 
had  a  perfect  right  to  her  independence.!    But  so  thought  not 
New- York  and  Governor  Clinton ;  and  the  organization  of  n 
state  government  revived  the  heart-burnings  that  had  subsided, 
and  re-enkindled  the  fires  of  discord  which  had  been  inactive 
during  the  first  three  or  four  years  of  'he  war.     The  causes  of 
irritation  became  daily  more  frequent  and  exospernting,  until, 
during  the  Summer  and  Autumn  of  the  present  year,  the  par- 
ties were  again  on  the  verge  of  open  hostilities.     The  people  of 
the  Grants,  as  they  liad  grown  in  strength,  had  increased  in  their 
arrogance,  until  they  had  extended  their  claims  to  the  Hudson 
river ;  and  it  was  no  diminution  of  the  perplexities  of  Nevv- 

*  Slade's  Vermont  State  Papers. 

t  Respecting  this  manifeiito,  John  Jay  wrote  to  Goiivenfiur  Morris—"  Ethan  Al- 
len has  commonced  aiith>  .•  and  orator.  A  phillippic  of  his  against  New-York  is 
handed  about    There  is  qiiaintneas,  impudence,  and  art  in  it." 

t  Life  of  Qouverneur  Morris. 


1781.] 


Tnor.ni.K8  win:  Vermont. 


183 

York,  t/mt  strong  in.licatio.is  appeared  in  several  if  the  north 

lion     n   „        .'  "''^''''  '^PP«'-«"tly,  to  bring  the  ques- 

Uor    to   a  test,   several   persons  were  arrested    in  the   con  s!. 
of  the  Sunnner  of  1781,  within  the  territory  of  the  C   an  s     n 
der  the  pretext  of  son.o  n.iUtary  ddinquencv     Thi.  Z     i 
was  the  signal  for  anot!,er  ten.pist.     Gove  nor  hIZS  " 

to  officers  pf  New-Yoric,  demanding  arre^e  o^^^^^^^^^^ 
taken  non.  the  Grants- .serting 'their  detell,^^^^^^^^^^ 
turn  the  government  they  had  "set  un  "•  nnri  n      /  . 

in  .he  eve.u  of..  in^o'L  of  .ho^:r"L;^^  '^^Sr  uT' 
co,„mo„  enemy,  „„|es.  ,|,ose  prisoners  were  gLn    ,p  C- 

voort's  own  brigade.    TIn.s,  „„  ,|,o  o.,',  bZaZTsZ 
was  calhng  npon  |,i,„  for  assistance  ajains,  ,|,e  c;r„r„lre„  ' 
lyapproachmg  from  Lake  Ol.an.plain,  a,  ,he  sami  ZeZ 
Governor  CImton  was  directing  hi„,  ,o  ,,u„n  ,h„  s.^rit  o  "L  h 
orimauon  along  .,« line  of  ,l,e  New  iLrapslnreG    ,1    ^d 
both  of  these  dunes  were  to  be  diseliarged,  will,  a  know  rfl;  ,h„t 
a  portion  of  his  own  command  was  infected  wiih  ,h„ 
spirit.    Added  to  all  which  was,  the  ^^^      -ZH 
with  an  eagle's  eye,  the  conduct  of  thesw,ni,iJof  lo™  ,,  "vitl? 
m  .he  bosom  of  Albany  and  in  the  towns  adjacer.rwM*; 
to  greater  comfort,  he  was  privately  informed  that  the  Green 
Moumam  Boys  were  maturing  a  plot  for  his  abdnctToi     S  an" 
lime  .he  government  of  the  Grants  had  elTecled  an  org„„i"rn 
of  therr  „■„,  militia,  and  disclosures  had  been  rZeTZ 

o'.JZ.I^Z^"'  '"■"■•'  '='""•""''■" "  <->'-  y-  ««-*.r,  ..,.„.  „,. 

t  This  'kr!i  and  rather  iwkwar.I  snvin^  was  full  of  mo«„in 
•ubsoquct  porUon  of  the  pre^ont  chaptt-r?  "'  "  ^'"  "PP"" '"  • 


<;""'> 

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184 


LIFE   OP   BUANT. 


[1781. 


i!    ') 


government  of  New- York,  imputing;  to  the  leadinsr  mm  of  the 
Grants  a  design,  in  the  event  of  a  certain  contingency,  of  throw- 
ing the  weight  of  thoir  own  forces  into  the  scale  of  the  Crown. 
The  foUowhig  letter  may  be  considered  important  in  this  con 
nexion : — 

Governor  Clinton  to  General  Gansevoort. 

"  Poughkeepsie,  Oct.  18..  1781. 

"Dear  Sir, 

"Your  letter  of  the  15th  infant  was  delivered  to  me  on  the 
evening  of  the  IGth.  I  have  delayed  answering  it,  in  hopes  that 
the  liCgislature  would  ere  this  have  formed  aquoriun,  and  that 
I  might^  have  availed  myself  of  their  advice  on  the  subject  to 
whic'h  it  relates ;  but  as  this  is  not  yet  the  case,  and  it  is  uncer- 
tain when  I  shall  be  enabled  to  lay  the  matter  before  them,  I 
conceive  it  might  he  improper  longer  to  defer  expressing  my 
own  sentiments  to  you  on  this  subject. 

"  The  differsnt  unwarrantable  attempts,  during  the  Summer, 
of  the  people  on  the  Grants  to  establish  their  usurped  jurisdic- 
tion, even  beyond  their  former  claim,  and  the  repetition  of  it 
(alluded  to  in  your  letter,)  in  direct  opposition  to  a  resolution  of 
Congress  injurious  to  this  State  and  favorable  to  their  project  of 
independence,  and  at  a  time  when  the  common  enemy  are  advanc- 
ing, can  only  be  accounted  for  by  what  other  parts  of  their  con- 
duct have  given  us  too  much  roason  to  suspect— disaffection  to 
the  common  cause.     On  my  part,  I  have  hitherto  shown  a  dis- 
position to  evade  entering  into  any  altercation  with  them,  that 
might,  in  its  most  remote  consequence,  give  encouragement  to 
the"  enemy,  and  expose  the  frontier  settlements  to  their  ravages ; 
and  from  these  considerations  alone  I  have  submitted  to  insults 
Avhich  otherwise  would  not  have  been  borne  with  ;  and  I  could 
have  wished  to  have  continued  this  kind  of  conduct  until  the 
approaching  season  would  have  secured  us  against  the  incur- 
sions of  the  common  enemy.     But  as  from  the  accounts  con- 
tained in  Colonel  Van  Rensselaer's  letter,  it  would  appear  that 
the  militia  omhodyi ng  under  Mr.  Chittenden's  orders  are  for  the 
service  of  the  enemy,  and  that  their  first  object  was  to  make  you 
a  prisoner,  it  would  be  unjustifiable  to  suffer  them  to  proceed. 
It   is  therefore  my  desire  that  you   maintain   your   authority 
throughout  every  part  of  your  brigade,  and  for  this  purpose,  thnt 


1781.] 


INVASION   OP   JOHNSTOWN. 


185 


you  carry  the  laws  of  the  State  into  execution  against  tliose  who 
shall  presume  to  disobey  your  lawful  orders.  I  would  oniv  ot 
serve  that  these  sentiments  are  founded  on  an  idea  Ztlt 
counts  given  by  Col.  Van  Rensselaer  in  his  letter  may'  e  relied 
on;  It  being  still  my  earnest  desire,  for  the  reasons  above  t 
plained,  not  to  do  any  thing  that  will  bring  matters  toexIreS 
l^-s,  at, e.t  before t^^ 

«  In  my  last,  I  should  have  mentioned  to  you  that  it  was  not 
n  my  power  to  send  you  a  supply  of  ammunition  ;  but,  as TlS 
reason  to  believe  you  were  gone  to  Saratoga,  I  .     ceiled  it  m 
proper  to  say  any  thing  on  the  subject  lest'^my  i.  ,„r  mTgh  mt 

1  v7;  ^rn  """"^^'  '''''  ''  ^''''  -^«'«  supples 

by  General  Washington,  last  Spring,  for  the  use  of  the  n^h  b 
five  hundred  pounds  is  all  that  has  been  received  in  thf  tate 
magazine,  which  you  will  easily  conceive  to  be  far"f 
V  hat  was  necessary  for  the  other  exposed  parts  of  the  s  ate 
With  respect  to  provisions,  it  is  equally  out  of  my  power  to  f': 
nis  you  with  any,  but  what  the  state  agent,  who's  now' W^ 
you,  may  be  able  to  procure.  ^^  ^van 

« I  am,  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
"  Dear  Sir, 
"  Your  most  obed't  serv't, 

ti  T>  '     ^       ^  "  ^^°-  Clinton. 

"Brig.  Gen.  Gansevoort." 

But  the  controversy  with  the  people  of  the  Grants  was  suU- 
deily  mterrupted,  just  at  this  juncture,  though  for  a  short  peric^ 
only,  by  the  most  formidable  invasion  of  th6  Mohawk  ^IW 
which  had  taken  plaice  during  the  present  year.  Indeed  It  val 
the  last  irruption  of  the  enemy  into  that  section  of  the  country  of 
any  importance,  during  the  stniggle  of  the  revolution 

It  has  been  seen,  from  the  commencement  of  the  contest,  that 
the  Johnsons,  and  those  loyalists  from  Tryon  County  most  in- 
timate  m  their  alliance  with  them,  appeared  to  be  stimulated  by 
some  peculiar  and  ever-active  principle  of  hostility  against  the 
former  seat  of  the  Baronet,  and  the  district  of  country  L  which 
Jt  was  environed.  Another  expedition  against  Johnstown  was 
thorefore  secretly  planned  in  the  Summ.^r  of  1781,  and  execnted 
With  such  silent  celenly,  that  on  the  a4th  of  October  "  the  Phi" 

VOL.   IT.  13  '" 


c::i> 


r»"'  t,» 


i^' 


I  m 


i 


i 


'j^i 


186 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


1 


w 


lifstinGs"  were  actually  "upon"  the  settlements  before  their  ap- 
proach was  suspected.  This  expedition  was  organized  at 
Buck's  Island,  in  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  a  few  miles  below  the 
foot  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  consisted  of  four  companies  of  the  se- 
cond battalion  of  Sir  John  Johnson's  regiment  of  Royal  Greens, 
Colonel  Butler's  rangers,  under  the  direction  of  Major  Butler, 
his  son,  and  two  hundred  Indians— numbering  in  all  about  one 
thousand  men,  under  the  command  of  Major  Ross.*  Proceed- 
ing from  Buck's  Island  to  Oswego,  and  thence  through  the 
Oneida  Lake,  they  struck  off  through  the  south-eastern  forests 
from  that  point,  and  traversed  the  woods  with  such  secrecy  as 
to  break  in  upon  Warreiisbush,t  near  the  junction  of  the  Scho- 
harie-kill  with  the  Moliawk  river,  as  suddenly  as  though  ihey 
had  sprung  up  from  the  earth  like  the  warriors  from  the  dra- 
gon's teeth°of  Cadmus,  full  grown,  and  all  in  arms,  in  a  single 
nio-ht.  This  was  on  the  24th  of  October.t  Warrensbush  was 
about  twenty  miles  east  from  Fort  Rensselaer,  the  head-quarters 
of  Colonel  Willett ;  so  that  Ross  and  Butler  had  ample  time  for 
the  work  of  havoc  and  devastation  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
and  to  cross  over  to  the  north  side,  before  the  former  could  rally  his 
forces  and  dispute  their  farther  progress.  Not  a  moment  was 
lost  by  Colonel  Willett,  on  hearing  the  news,  in  making  such 
dispositions  to  repel  the  unexpected  invaders,  as  were  within 
his  limited  means.  With  such  forces  as  were  in  the  garrison, 
too-ether  with  such  additional  recruits  from  the  militia  as  could 
be*  collected  in  the  neighborhood,  Willett  marched  for  Fort 
Hunter  on  the  same  evening— simultaneously  despatching  or- 
ders for  the  militia  and  levies  in  contiguous  posts  and  settle- 

♦  Such  is  the  estimate  of  the  manuscript  accounts  which  have  been  furnished  to 
the  author.  It  is,  liowever,  too  hiijh,  unless  Major  Butler  carried  an  erroneous  state- 
ment  in  his  pocitet.  According  to  a  memorandum  found  in  his  pocket-booit,  nftir 
his  fall,  the  force  of  Major  Ross  was  made  up  as  follows  :— Eighth  regiment,  twenty-  • 
five;  thirty-fourth  ditto,  one  hundred;  eighty-fourth  ditto,  Highlanders,  thirty-six; 
Sir  John's,  one  hundred  and  twenty ;  Lake's  Independents,  forty  ;  Butler's  rangers, 
one  hundred  and  fifty ;  Yasers,  twelve ;  Indians,  one  hundred  and  thirty.— Total 
six  hundred  and  seventy.— Firfe  Letter  of  Colonel  miUtt  to  Lord  Stirling,  Mmon's 

Remembrancer. 

t  A  settlement  planted  by  Sir  Peter  Warren,  the  uncle  of  Sir  Wilham  Johnson— 
and  the  first  place  of  residence  of  the  latter  gentleman  after  his  arrival  in  America. 

X  Campbell  states  that  thia  invasion  was  in  August.  Major  Sammons  dales  it 
the  22d  <if  that  month.  Colonel  Will.;tt  gives  the  date  of  Oct.  24— which  was  ob- 
viously  correct,  since  tne  second  pact  of  the  battle  was  fought  in  a  snow-storm. 


«     ! 


1781.] 


INVASION    OP   JOHNSTOWN. 


187 

ments  to  follow  nud  join  him  with  all  possible  expedition     Rv 
marclung  all  night,  tho  Colonel  reached  Fort  Ih    te    earlyl' 

ler  had  crossed  tho  river  some  distance  below  Tr^eJ  Hdl  the 
precedmg  day  and  moved  thence  directly  upon  Johnstown 
.  hn.  and  tul.n,  tho  people  prisoners,  andilyi„;tu  I " 

and  fell  dead  to  tho  ground.  His  men  souo-ht  safetv  in  Zm' 
and  succeeded.*  q^Jiis  wns  o-.rUr  i,.  ♦!  *  •  ^  "  »"^ 
rn,      A  \,   ,  ^"^  ^•^'^'y"i  tne  mornins- of  the  2'5fh 

The  advance  of  tho  enemy  bein.  slow,  they  did  not  amV   al 
he  VI  age  of  Johnstown  until  past  12  o'clock  at  noon     Even 
then,  the  mam  body  of  their  forces,  avoiding  the  town  marched 
J^nd  ^  tho  west  halting  upon  the  grounds  of  tie'  Baront 

the  vill  71"  ^'"^^"^'  ^"'''^°"^'  ^«^^«^«'-'  P«««ed  through 

he  V  1  age,  and  the.r  conductors  were  fired  upon  from  the  Id 
ja.l-then  serymg  tho  purpose  of  a  fortress  Onemronlv 
w^  wounded  by  thi.  consumption  of  ammunition  ^ 

Having  effected  tho  passage  of  the  river.  Colonel  Willett 
pushed  on  .n  pursuit  with  all  possible  expedition.    ButTm 
ing  U  unw.se,  whore  the  disparity  of  their  respective  for  eswt 

0  great,  to  hazard  an  attack  in  front  with  his'whole  fo  c    Z 
position  of  the  eno.ny  was  no  .sooner  ascertained  with    er  aintv 

1  ;T  ""r'*^^'  ''  Massachusetts,  was  detached  with  a  2 
body  of  the  Tryon  County  militia,  and  about  sixty  levies  f^m 
hi.  own  state,   for  Iho  purpose,   by  a  circuitoul  mlch    of 
outflankmg  the  enemy,  and  falling  upon  his  rear    2  nt 
tackmg  in  front  and  rear  at  the  same  tLe.    Th^et^Zh. 
neces,sa     d,p,,,        ,     ing  been  adjusted,  ^S  S.td 
upon  the  enemy  at  tho  head  of  his  column.    Entering  a^ope„ 

«'.«  Mohawk  Valley,  i,  i.  „!ao,!  th.a  H..,n,U    '"^Z.       .J   "I  r""'"V" 
«a^  l.ass,ngaf.  .I,e  .uomr.,,:  o„  Iu«  way  to  Allm„y.  ''™"''  *"" 


MarfM 

m 

k::  : 

1 

HIM      - 

} 

,•■1    ' 

* 

:::  J 


^.-:.  K   A 


C..I.WX 


p' 


'» m 


.s 


n 


<«      'L 

I*.!* 

"Pi 


m 


l*tr  ■■ 


;  r    :i 


!' 


188  LIFE   OP   BRANT.  [1781. 

field  adjoining  to  that  occupied  by  the  enemy,  Willett  displayed 
his  right  into  line,  and  pressed  JVIajor  Ross  so  closely  as  to  com- 
pel him  to  retire  into  the  fringe  of  a  neighboring  wood.  Here 
a  skirmishing  was  kept  up  while  the  remainder  of  the  Ameri- 
cans were  advancing  briskly  in  two  columns,  to  bear  a  part. 
The  battle  became  spirited  and  general ;  and  although  the  only 
field-piece  belonging  to  the  Americans  was  taken,  it  was  speedi- 
ly re-taken,  and  for  a  time  the  action  proceeded  with  a  promise 
of  victory.  But  just  at  the  crisis,  the  militia  of  Willett  were 
seized  with  one  of  those  causeless  and  unaccountable  panics, 
which  on  most  occasions  render  that  description  of  troops  worse 
than  useless  in  battle,  and  without  any  cause  the  whole  of  the 
rip-ht  wing  turned  about  and  fled.*  The  field-piece  was  aban- 
doned a,nd  the  ammunition  wagon  blown  up.  The  former,  bf 
course,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Willett  did 
his  utmost  to  rallj  his  men,  but  to  no  purpose.  They  ran  in 
the  utmost  confusion  to  the  stone  church  in  the  village.  Here, 
having  induced  them  to  make  a  halt,  the  Colonel  commenced 
bringing  them  again  into  such  order  as  best  he  might.  But  the 
defeat  would  still  have  been  complete,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
precautionary  disposition  previously  made  of  Major  Rowley. 
Most  fortunately,  as  it  happened,  that  officer  emerged  from  the 
woods,  and  arrived  upon  the  field,  just  in  time  to  fall  upon  the 
en  ;my's  rear  in  the  very  moment  of  their  exultation  at  their 
easy  victory.  Rowley  pressed  the  attack  v/ith  great  vigor  and 
intrepidity,  while  the  enemy  were  engaged  in  making  prisoners 
of  the  stragglers,  and  the  Indiaris  were  scalping  those  who  fell 
into  their  hands.  The  f  ~ht  was  now  maintained  with  equal 
obstinacy  and  irregularity  for  a  considerable  time.  Major 
Rowley  was  early  wounded  by  a  shot  through  the  ankle,  and 
carried  from  the  field ;  and  the  enemy  were  engaged  in  different 
bodies,  sometimes  in  small  parties  separated  nearly  a  mile  from 
each  other.  In  some  of  these  contests  the  advantage  was  on 
the  side  of  the  enemy,  and  in  others  the  Americans  were  the 
temporary  victors.  The  battle  continued  after  this  fashion 
until  near  sunset,  when,  finding  such  to  be  the  fact,  and  that 
Rowley's  detachment  alone  was  holding  the  enemy  at  bay, 
Willett  was  enabled  to  collect  a  respectable  force,  with  which 

•  Letter  of  Colonel  WiUttt  to  Lord  Stirling. 


"^^rr.-^ 


1781.] 


BATTLE   OF   JOHNSTOWN. 


189 


tion  to  the  tvTO  leaders,  Willelt    , ,  H  °"™' '"  '«'* 

tain  GaMenier,  who  fo,,!,    ' i        ^'^  "*■'  ™  ""= ''«"'«  Cap- 

with  one  of  the  M'Donalds     aZ7„.  !  d^th-struggle 

lonel  Willett  procured  Ti!-!;,,  '"  "",'"">' '""'  '=««<),  Co- 

enemy,  as  wel'as  h?s  „wf  S  ?""  '=""°'',"'°  """'"^  "'  4e 
carefully  dressed.  T LToi  of  ZT"""''  """  ">"''  *»'">'S^ 
The  enemy  lost  about  .hrsltumrS"e7Y°'"  '°'"- 

pro«rxrha;Th'r^ra:.td^^      ^^^  -p- 

Lake,  Colonel  Willett  lolt  „n,„T  ^^  '="  °'  *"  Oneida 

to  cut  off  theirm  "s  if  4"rt°hTtre"H  '"'"°'""^"™"8«"»>" 
while  he  likewise  deterrata™  if '^  °,^  "'?""  "''*"'  l""'^. 
Ihei,  front.     Haying  beTn  ,^' '    "^f  ""°>  ">  "'"»'  himself  into 

Who  had  made  Z!^;:iZtl':Z  U  w""t^  <!"-"-■ 
to  Strike  at  the  frontiers  of  s.nnl  f,  "^"^  ^'^ '"Mention 

supply  of  p-isio„:  wuiirr  .^^^^^^^^^^^^^^     ^^  °^-^,  a 

lowing  morning,  and  encamped  there  that  d;!  ^T  °"u  '^'  ^°^- 
ing  forward  a  detachment  of  trips  "irht,,^  "f  "^^^*'  P"«^- 
by  forced  marches  to  the  On^XLar  TSo'lrb"^^^^ 
Ascertammg,  on  the  morningof  the  27th  that  Rn  7  ^  '^'• 
Stor.3  Arabia  by  strikin<r  deener  intn  H,  ^7  ^'**  ^'^^^^^'l 
hastened  forward  to  the  GerZ  F  art  ?  u''""'''^  ^"^^« 
tification,  on  the  28th  to  uZTlv  f  u  '  '^''"■'  ^^  ^^  ^^e  mor- 
had  rct„;„ea  ^Z ^IZ^^V^,  ^^"'^'^  "  *»  '^» 

-e„t;;rhrtie;T.tst^^^^ 

hB  course  in  the  anticipated  directio,^  Twh  1      ,^  '"'^ 

not  have  inclined  farther  to  the  nonh Ti-h  '.    "  "«'" 

irectly  through  the  wildernrrn',  J  '  rl™'  "1^™""^ 

-ngsattsficd  themselves  that  the  latter '^t'tlulIt^S 


"••I  T|    i  i  :.A 
,1"'  .if    •   i     • 


•f 


t4» 


c::;i 


«<«!: 


c:2> 


f-^ 


•  Willett's  Letter  to  Lord  Slir 


ing. 


t^ 


I 


1 1  ¥ 


m 


i 


i. 


l.'tHii 


190 


LIFE   OK   BRANT. 


[1781. 


by  Ross,  luustily  returned ;  and  the  result  of  their  observation  wttf 
coinrnunicuted  to  Willett  by  express.* 

Immediately  on  tlio  receipt  of  tliis  intelligence,  Willett  deter- 
mined, if  possible,  to  strike  another  blow.     Having  been  joined 
by  about  sixty  warriors  of  the  Oneida  tribe,  together  with  some 
additional  levies  and  militia-men,  the  Colonel  selected  about  four 
hundred  of  his  choicest  trooi)s,  and  furnishing  them  with  pro- 
visions for  five  days,  on  the  20th  struck  off  to  the  northward, 
along  the  course  of  the  West  CiUiada  Creek.     They  marched 
the  whole  of  that  day  through  a  driving  snow-storm,  halting  iit 
night  in  a  thick  wood  on  the  Royal  Grant.     Supposing  it  proba- 
ble that  the  enemy  could  not  be  far  distant,  Jacob  Sammons  was 
detached  with  two  Oneida  Indians  to  advance  yet  farther  into  the 
wilderness,  and,  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  make  such  discove- 
ries as  might  be  in  their  power.     « It  was  with  much  reluctance," 
says  Sammons  in  his  narrative,  « that  I  undertook  this  business." 
They  had  not  proceeded  far  before  the  Indians  discovered  the  prints 
of  footsteps.    Having  knelt  down  and  scrutinised  them  closely, 
they  pronounced  them  fresh,  and  refused  any  longer  to  advance. 
Taking  Sammons  by  the  arm,  they  entreated  him  to  return  ;  but 
he  declined,  and  they  separated.    The  intrepid  scout  soon  de- 
scried fires  kindling  amid  the  deep  forest-gloom,  toward  which  he 
cautiously  approaclied  until  he  was  enabled  to  take  a  survey  of  the 
enemy's  camp.     Haviiig  obtained  all  necessary  information,  and 
narrowly  escaped  detection  withal,  he  returned  to  the  camp  of  the 
Americans.     Willett  had  kept  his  troops  under  arms  awaiting  the 
return  of  Sammons ;  but  learning  from  the  latter  that  the  enemy 
were  well  provided  with  bayonets,  of  which  his  own  men  were 
deficient,  a  night  attack  upon  the  camp  was  judged  imprudent, 
and  he  bivouacked  his  forces  on  the  spot.t 

Willett  lost  no  time  in  advancing  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, with  a  view  of  bringing  the  enemy  to  an  engagement.  But 
the' latter  had  been  as  early  on  foot  as  himself,  so  that  it  was 
not  until  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  that  the  Americans  came  up 
with  a  small  party  of  the  enemy's  rear,  consisting  of  about  forty 
men,  together  with  a  few  Indians,  who  had  been  detached  from 
his  main  body  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  provisions.    A  smart 

♦  This  scouting  party  was  compnsi^d  of  Captnin  John  I.itlle,  William  Laird,  and 

J:icob  Sliew. 

I  iN'nrrntive  «f  .Tacob  Sammors. 


»;     ■   I      »  ■ 


rsi.] 


DIUTH   OP   WALTICH    N.    nUTr.KR. 


19i 

brush  ensiioci,  diiriii-r  which  «!omn  nf  ,u 

111"- on  the  oioinv's;  (r-.il  .1, .  t  '""vyKoman.    Pursu- 

thoy  cro«cd  .l,o  Creek  .„  ,l,„  „,,.„  ,„  '      ,      ""  '"^'""'~".  >« 

ing which  „h„„, ,„.o,„y  of  ih^  e  ,"  V         a  ',"  """''  '''"- 

bo.da„de,.en,risi„,\„,er::'S      ,^r^^^ 
was  b,„„ght  down  by  the  rifle  „f  „„  0  „.i,     1,  dt,  ,. 

penn,g  ,„  recognize  him  a,  bo  was  |,„ ,  i  ''    te  'b     l?  r  "' 
behind  a  ireo,  loolt  dohbcruto  aim  ,.n,K.i      i-      ,  '°  '""" 

...d  ,ho  npperpar.  oH^t^' ^^tn'Z^r""'  "%""' 
b.  .he  n.mos,  confusion.  Tho  war'i  r  w  u  L  1"  "''"'  '^ 
sbo.,  sprang  firs,  across  ,he  tvS  .1  t"  ^  kI^'T'"^ 
>""?  direclly  np  to  Ilutler,  discovered  If!  "!^  '  T''.™"" 
sorely  wounded.    He  was  in  «  J, H „  ™  ""'  *"'''  •"" 

wriihing  in  „r 'a.  a^r  n^,'?r '"'"";''  "™'""=  "»-  «"<• 
nmler  looked^hl  fnii  ta  ,he  fl      '",",  '"'™"""''  ''"''  *■» 

saw  ,ho  bleeding  trophy,  .ban  £  J^l  .he  tT'°  T""! 
^.ripping  ,he  body,  leii  it  l^ing  nponlhrfa  T  ami  „?  Tr  '  ""'* 
in  pursuit  of  .he  fugitive  host.  o".  com  ^^  ?"  ir  ^T" ■* 
Rykeman  and  .he%,her  prisone  vZ  ?»f  Jn!:'';"  "^ 
cuempted  .0  flout  the  unhappy  prisoner'by  si  pS  ^  J^Z 
ta  late  eommander  „,  his  face,  but  the  lieu.e.ltCidS  'he 

™b.™";-d'zr; '"'" '■'  •'■*  %'-!:"4z."'tTe 

«"s"i-      And,  truly,   never  wore  men  redntrsfl  t^  „         i-.- 
more  deplorable.    The  weather  was  ^t^^^  ,Z;ZTl 


■■4 


!'. 


I  i 


^■'-  '•i'r  ■  Jr. 

•*     I  9 


-  lip  ■ 


192 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1781 


dreary  and  pathless  wilderness  of  eighty  miles  to  traverse,  wuh 
out  food,  and  without  even  blankets— having  been  compelled  to 
cast  them  away  to  facilitate  their  escape.*  But,  scattered  and 
broken  iis  they  were,  and  having  the  start  of  one  night,  it  wiia 
judged  inexpedient  to  give  longer  pursuit ;  especially  as  Willett's 
own  troops  were  supplied  with  provisions  for  but  two  days  more. 
The  victory  wits,  moreover,  already  complete.  The  Colonel 
therefore  Avheelcd  about,  and  led  Ins  little  army  back  in  triumph 
to  Fort  Dayton.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  the  pursuit  was 
only  one  man.  That  of  the  enemy  was  never  known.  In  the 
hm"-uao^  of  Colonel  Willett's  official  despatches,  "the  fields  of 
"  Johnstown,  the  brooks  and  rivers,  the  hills  and  mountains,  the 
"  deep  and  gloomy  marches  througli  which  they  had  to  pass, 
"  these  only  could  tell ;  and,  perhaps,  the  officers  who  detached 
'  them  on  the  expedition." 

In  re-passing  the  battle-ground,  the  body  of  Butler  was  dis- 
covered as  it  had  been  left ;  and  there,  without  sepulture,  it  was 
suffered  to  remain.! 

*  "In  this  situntion  I  left  the  unfortunate  Major  Ross  ;  nnfurtunatc  I  call  him, 
for  he  was  surely  so  in  taking  charge  of  such  a  fine  detachment  of  men  to  execute 
so  dirty  and  trifling  a  piece  of  business  as  he  was  sent  on,  at  such  immense  haz;ird 
and  exquisite  toil."  •  ♦  ♦  "  We  left  them  in  a  situation,  perhaps,  more  suited 
to  their  demerit  than  a  musket,  a  ball,  a  tomahawk,  or  capiivity." — Cnl.  IVilUWs 
Letter  to  Lord  Sliding. 

t  Various  statements  of  the  circumstances  attending  the  death  of  Walter  N.  But- 
ler have  been  published.  Marshall,  in  his  Life  of  Washington,  states  it  thus — "  In 
the  party  at  Canada  Creek,  was  M  ijor  Walter  Butler,  the  person  who  perpetrated 
the  massacre  at  Cherry  Valley.  His  entreaties  for  quarter  were  di^ircgarded  ;  aiul 
he  fell  a  victim  of  that  vengeance  which  his  own  savage  temper  had  directed 
against  himself."  According  to  Colonel  Willett's  account,  he  was  shot  den<l  at 
once,  having  no  time  to  implore  for  mercy.  President  Dwi^t,  in  his  travels,  gives 
an  account  corresponding  with  the  following,  by  Campbell : — "  Fie  was  pursurd  by 
a  small  party  qf  Oneida  Indians  ;  when  he  arrived  at  West  Canada  Creek,  about 
fifteen  miles  above  Herkimer,  he  swam  his  horse  across  the  stream,  and  then  turn- 
ing round,  defied  his  pursuers,  who  were  on  the  opposite  side.  An  Oneida  imme- 
diately discharged  his  rifle  and  wounded  liim,  and  he  fell.  Throwing  down  his  rifle 
and  his  blanket,  the  Indian  plunged  into  the  Creek  and  swam  across  j  as  soon  as  he 
had  gained  the  opposite  bank,  he  raised  his  lomaliawk,  and  with  a  yell,  sprang  like 
a  tiger  upon  his  fallen  foe.  Butler  supplicated,  though  in  vain,  for  mercy ;  the  Onei- 
da, with  his  uplifted  axe,  shouted,  in  his  broken  English, — '  Sherry  Valley !  rcmoni- 
ber  Sherry  Valley!'  and  then  buried  it  in  his  brains."  It  is  apprehended  that  neither 
of  these  statements  is  exactly  correct.  The  account  in  the  text  has  been  drawn  by 
the  author  from  the  manuscript  statements  of  Philip  Graft,  who  was  a  spectator  of 
the  transaction,  then  attached  to  the  company  of  Captain  Peter  Van  Rensselaer, 


17S1.J 


CHAUACTEU   OP    WALTER   N.    BUTLER. 


198 


So  pnrlshed  Walter  N.  Butler  ononf  th^ 
he  was  one  of  the  most  fe"! ess  C  .r     '  ^''^^'^^t  «<^«"  W  ns 
other  event  of  the  ^ho    Z     c^^^^^^^^^  ^^""^     ^o 

hawk  Valley  as  the  news  of  hi    doce  J     H.'*;  ''^ '"  ^'"  ^^''- 
havo  been  of  a  moroso  t.^,L        "^<^'^«''=«-     He  is  represented  to 

more  limn  oi.cc  nnneami    J,„  l„      i^  '"*I"M,  as  has  alrradjr 
among  those.  IE  |t  ,^>^  'r"^ '  ""'"'•  ^"''o  '""'"dec!  him 

BuUor  may  have  posJLs^  S,t'      m    '    '°"'''"''  """  ^"1'" 

aeneraUWdi™an1'.rr:srhr°S;:Ltr  ^""^,'[ 

scarcely  oirendingXtd^^l\T"''''^'''""  "S"^"^'  '"o 
.-ceahly  In  ,|.e  LXrril~:  ""^  ""=  "^'"^ 

eraced'ln  .helw p  LI'  ZJt  ''''•  ""  """=  "'^  <=™'' 
"ccurring  i„  a  dlE  ,1  ,r„fT  '"  "T"?  °."""  «™ 
selvcsand  in  their  resul,s^f?arli  "'>''  """'  '"  "'™- 

glance  ■akon  of  IheZ"  rl  „rX      ""'"T   ^  *"  ''«''"y« 

(cdoracy  durin.r  IS  7'"' '"  """"■  P'""'  »<'  'he  con- 

>  """"g  uie  lirst  quarter  of  the  v/.ir   Ar..„ii         .  y 

ward  against  the  M^lTZ.'^^ZtlZ'^'  T 


.us;;: ; 


I| 


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194 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


I' 

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[1781 

junction  with  him,  and  assumed  the  command ;  sending  Arnold 
from  his  presence  to  Portsmouth  as  soon  as  possible.  After  his 
return  to  New- York,  Arnold  led  another  piratical  expedition, 
early  in  September,  against  New  London  and  Groton.  The 
former  town  was  biimt,  and  Fort  Griswold,  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river,  having  been  carried  by  assault,  was  the  scene  of  a 
bloody  massacre ;  tlie  brave  Ledyard,  who  commanded,  being 
thrust  through  with  his  own  sword.* 

Meantime,  the  American  Commander-in-chief  was  meditating 
n  blow,  which,  if  successful,  could  not  but  have  an  important, 
and  perhaps 'a  decisive,  bearing  upon  the  great  question  of  his 
country's  final  emancipation.     While  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette 
was  circuinvonting  and   perplexing  Cornwallis  in   Virginia, 
Washinixtou  was  preparing  for  an  attempt  upon  the  citadel  of 
the  HritLh  power  in  the  United  States— New- York.     This  de- 
sign, as  has  been  formerly  stated,  had  been  projected  the  season 
Iwfore,  immediately  after  the  arrival  of  the  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  with  the  French  army  of  alliimcc,  in  Rhode  Island.     But 
so  many  difficulties  -arose,  and  so  many  supervening  obstacles 
were  to  be  overcome,  that,  in  obedience  to  stern  necessity,  the 
project  was  for  that  year  abandoned.     With  the  opening  of  the 
Spring  of  the  present  yoar  it  was  revived,  and  after  the  respec- 
tive commanders  had  hold  another  personal  consultation,  the 
French  army  moved  from  Rhode  Island  across  the  country  to 
the  Hudson.     But  other  obstacles  arose,  which  compelled  an  en- 
tire change  in  the  plan  of  the  campaign.     Fortunately,  however, 
the  British  commander  in  New- York  was  not  quick  to  discover 
the  change,  and  the  demonstration  served  to  divert  his  attention 
from  the  right  object  until  it  became  too  late  to  repair  his  error. 
The  combined  French  and  American  forceir,  by  an  unsuspected 
but  effectual  basis  of  operations,  had  been  tending  as  upon  a 
central  point  toward  Virginia,  until,  befor-  he  was  aware  of  se- 
rious danger,  Earl  Cornwallis  found  him  ielf  shut  up  in  York- 
instructions  to  Arnold  to  consult  them  in  regard  to  every  measure  and  every  opera- 
tion he  might  desire  to  undertake. 

♦  "  It  has  been  said,  that  Arnold,  while  New  London  was  in  flames,  stood  in  the 
belfry  of  a  steeple  and  witnessed  the  conflagration  ;  thus,  like  Nero,  delighted  with 
the  ruin  ho  had  caused,  the  distressps  he  had  inflicted,  the  blood  of  his  slaunhtercd 
countrymen,  the  agonies  of  the  expiring  patriot,  the  widow's  tears,  and  the  orphan's 
cries.  And,  what  adds  to  the  enormity,  is,  that  he  stood  almost  in  sight  of  the  spot 
where  he  drew  his  firs?,  breath."— Spsrftj. 


Itrf 


1781.J 


SUKRENDER   OP   CORNWALLIS. 


195 

"m.su.r.  1  he  post  was  cornpletoly  invested  by  tJ.o  3()tJi  of  Sen- 
tcrnber.  On  tl.c  9th  of  October  the  French  and  Arne  iu  s 
opened  the.r  batteries.  And  on  the  19th,  his  two  ad v  need ^ 
doubts  havu^g  been  carried  by  storm  a  few  days  before  de. 
P.urn.g  oi  rece.vu.g  the  promised  succors  from  Si'  uJ^'^Z- 
ton,  and  having,  moreover,  fiuled  in  a  well-concerted  attcLp  to 
cvacuaetho  fortress  by  night,  Lord  Cornwallis,  subn^u    '    o 

ThT^'of'th  "''^""'  inevitable,  surrendered  by  caXualo 
The  loss  of  he  enemy  durmg  the  siege  was  five  hnndred  and 
fifty-two,  lulled,  wounded,  and  missing ;  and  the  number  of 

rrr^^m  d"e  r'"^^  ^^"'^  ^^™' ^^'>«  werL^rrndU' 
to  the  Count  de  Grasse,  w.ts  seven  tliousand  and  seventv-three 
of  whom  five  thousand  nine  hundred  and  fifty  were  ranked' 

It  would  have  been  perfectly  natural,  and  in  fact  no  more 
timn  even-handed  justice,  had  the  recent  massacre  at  Fort  GHs 

wise  ordered  ,  and  the  trumiph  was  rendered  still  mor.  memora 
ble  by  the  f^.ct,  that  not  a  drop  of  blood  was  shed  save  in  ac  io' 
"Incapable,"  said  Colonel  Han^ilton,  (who  led  the  advoiTc    o, 

birirjor"  n^  """''^  ""'  ^™^«""^^  examples  Tba' 
banty,and  forgetting  recent  provocation,  the  solditrs  spared 
«ever>' man  that  ceased  to  resist."*  ^-'-^  sparea 

The  joy  at  this  surrender  of  a  second  army  was  as  crreat  as 
umversal.     The  thanks  of  Congress  were  voted  to    he  clm 
mander-m-chief,  to  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  ai.d  t      fC 
de  Grasse,  and  to  the  other  principal  officers  of  the  diffeTe 
corps  and  the  men  under  them.    It  was  also  resolved  by  Co 

h^^TTl'T'^'"  '°'"""^"^  Yorktown,  with  designs  en 
blematic  of  he  alliance  of  France  and  the  United  States-  o  be 

^riik'^rth'  """'^"  °'  ^'^  ^^^"^  ^^-  commtorld 
f  ;:  'only  :!!  ;f;7°"«^^  ^^— «  ^y  congress,  it  yet  ex- 

The  Commander-in-chief  availed  himself  of  the  occasion  to 
pardon  and  set  at  liberty  all  military  offenders  under     r^s' 

hZ  7^  "i  '"""1 ''  acknowledge  the  interposition  of  he 
hund  of  Providence  in  the  direction  of  human  events,  this  truly 

♦  Colonel  Alexander  Hamilton's  report— MarBhall. 


rf"' 


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D96 


LIFE   OP   DRANT. 


[1781. 


■r 

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i 

(Ifkut  r  nmandrr  closed  his  orders  in  '"feronce  to  this  event,  lu 
the  foUowh  iir  improssivc  mnnner  :  »  Divine  service  shall  be  |)cr 
«  lormed  to-morrow  in  the  different  brigades  and  divisions.  The 
"  Comnmnder-in-chief  recommends  that  all  the  troops  not  npou 
"  duty,  do  assist  at  it  with  a  serious  deportment,  and  lliat  sonsi- 
"  bility  of  heart,  which  tlie  recollection  of  the  surprisitisj  and  par- 
•«  ticular  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  in  our  favor  claims.'' 
Recurring,  awain,  to  the  progress  of  events  at  the  North,  the 
enigmatical  conduct  of  the  Uritish  commander  in  Canada,  and 
thc^nysterious  movements  of  his  forces  upon  Lake  Chaniphvin, 
remain  to  be  explained.  On  the  9th  of  November,  General 
TIeath,  commanding  the  department,  issued  the  following  gene- 
ral order ;  a  copy  of  which  has  been  preserved  among  General 
Gansevoort's  papers  : — 

*' Head- Quarters,  Continental  Village,  Nov.  0,  1781. 

"  The  General  has  the  pleasure  of  acquainting  this  army,  that 
the  enemy  have  been  completely  di?a,  ^.ointed  in  their  designs 
on  the  northern  frontiers  of  this  State,  in  consequence  of  the 
measures  adopted  to  receive  them  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lakes, 
in  which  the  General  is  much  indebted  to  Major  General  I^rd 
Stirlmg,  Brigadier  General  Stark,  and  the  other  officers  and  sol- 
diers, both  of  the  regular  troops  and  the  militia,  who,  with  great 
zeal  and  alertness,  pressed  to  meet  the  enemy.  That  part  of  their 
force  which  was  coming  h/  way  of  the  lakes  has  not  dared  to 
laud  on  this  side  of  them. 

«  Major  Ross,  who  had  advanced  from  the  westward  ns  far  as 
Johnstown,  with  a  body  of  between  six  and  seven  hundred  •  v.  u- 
lar  troops,  Rangers,  Yagers,  and  Indi  uis,  was  met  by  Co'ene! 
Willett,  defeated,  and  pursued  into  the  wilderness,  where  .Htirv' 
of  them  probably  must  perish  ;  the  number  of  the  enemy  killed 
is  noi.  known.  Major  Butler,  who  has  frequently  distressed  the 
ii-onti-s  is  among  the  slaia.  A  number  of  prisoners,  chiefly 
Britiih,  .  ^'-•'■',  been  taken  and  sent  in. 

"  Tn^-  ..  ■•'Q/al  p:  ocnts  hh  thanks  to  Colonel  Willett,  whose 
addresr.  gii'.  >  .Uy.  ^nd  persevering  activity  exhibited  on  this  oc- 
casion, do  i:ii'  the  highest  >  iior ;  and  while  the  conduct  of  the 
officers  and  soldiers  in  general,  who  were  Avith  Colonel  Willett, 
deserves  high  commendation,  the  General  expresses  a  particular 
approbation  of  the  behavior  of  Mn.jor  Rowley,  and  the  brave 


1781.J      MYSTERIOUS  CONDUCT  OP  TflK  vun» 

moat  essential  service  to  tl.oir  country  '  ''''''''^  '^ 

"  Truuscript  from  fi-oneral  orders : 
"  '^"os.  FuKi).  Jackson, 

"  Aid  decamp." 

.he  case,  ^^tl^S^^^j^^'^'^  f-.,  „f 

give„-f„  aud  .tan  mwl  chTv:::,      T  '"  ""^""^  ^™ 
been  mode  10  the  oauivlt  '"<^*ntoi  allusions  l,„ve 

Allen.    V.CerZZZ^LZTT"'  """  ™™"°"'  "^  I^*"" 
coding  chapter,  to  7TrJ^T    '    I  ™>'  "'  "  "''"'  '"'  "'"  r'<^ 

n».ionV.lg  .h^lT^„trAr:'"'Tr  "P°"™' '"<•»'- 

hod  been,  derived  from  f^n  n  ""'  '"'  "^^eiales,  v.  h,ch 

Canada  in  the  AmZn  Tj  """"  *''°  '""'  "'^P^d  from 
David  A  J  TheT.r,„„c:oT.r'  ''""-'°''"  ^^S"  »"" 
™,  -ha.  several  of  th^  W  ^  ^^  TZ"S  "'I''''  '"™ 
Gran«  wen=  f„r™i„,  „n  alliance  I  tl'^f:;  oT''^'"" 
Canada.  Among  these  leaders  were  E.hn^nU  ?^""" 
''-  itro  Pnm      1   ~  Jjinan  011(1  Ira  A  on,  and 

a^nu  ofL  ne^tiX:  ot,  Ta  fo^ar  "tt^ '  T/"= 
consultations  were  s„,„..ti„«  heW  t  Ca"Zn  ™  .l;  ""^  """ 
and  sometimes  in  Csnn,)n      j        i    ^'""™"'  ""  the  Grants, 

that  Ethan  Allen  was  then  i„  r      j  "*'  "'^  '""c 

that  he  had  seen  Cr  C  "  t^he,", "'""  !!,'"' '"'™"'"'  »"'' 

of  th.  Mugs  vessels ,  and  that  he.  Fay,  hod  e«h„„^  !,;' 


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198 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


ward  of  thirty  Hessians,  who  had  deserted  from  Bnrgoyne's 
army,  delivering  them  up  to  the  British  authorities.     Tlie  state- 
ments of  [ildi^ar  and  Abeel,  the  latter  of  whom  had  been  taken  a 
prisoner  at  Catskill  the  preceding  Spring,  were  given  under  the 
sanction  of  an  oath  ;  and  although  they  were  not  feilow-prison- 
ers,  and  l.iad  derived  their  information  from  different  sources ; 
and  althougli  escaping  at  different  times,  under  dissimilar  cir- 
cumstances, and  by  routes  widely  apart,  yet  there  was  a  strong 
coincidence  between  them.     A  third  account  submitted  to  the 
Leo-islatiire  by  the  Governor  was  somewhat  different,  and  more 
particular  as  to  the  terms  of  the  proposed  arrangement.     In 
this  paper  it  was  stated,  first,  that  the  territory  claimed  by  the 
Vermontese  should  be  formed  into  a  distinct  colony  or  govern- 
ment.    Secondly,  that  the  form  of  government  should  be  simi- 
hvr  to  that  of  Connecticut,  save  that  the  nomination  of  the  Go- 
vernor should  be  vested  in  the  crown.      Thirdly,  that  they 
should  be  allowed  to  remain  neutral,  unless  the  war  should  be 
carried  within  their  own  territory.     Fourthly,  they  were  to 
raise  two  battalions,  to  be  in  the  pay  of  the  crown,  but  to  be 
called  into  service  only  for  the  defence  of  the  Colony.    Fifthly, 
they  were  to  be  allowed  a  free  trade  with  Canada.     General 
Haldimand  had  not  deemed  himself  at  liberty  to  decide  defmi- 
tiT3ly  upon  propositions  of  so  much  importance,  and  had  ac- 
cordingly transmitted  them  to  England  for  the  royal  considera- 
tion.    An  answer  was  then  expected.     Such  was  the  purport  of 
the  intelligence  ;  and  such  was  the  weight  of  the  testimony,  that 
the  Governor  did  not  hesitate  to  assert  that  they  "  proved  a 
« treasonable  and  dangerous  intercourse  and  connexion  between 
"  the  leaders  of  the  revolt  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State, 
"and  the  common  enemy."* 

The  fact  is.  according  to  the  admissions,  and  the  documents 
published  by  the  Vermont  historians  themselves,t  that  the  people 
of  Vermont,  though  doubtless  for  the  most  part  attached  to  the 
cause  of  their  coiuitry,  nevertheless  looked  upon  New- York  "as 
a  more  detested  enemy"  than  Great  Britain  ;t  and  the  officers 
of  the  latter  were  not  slow  in  their  efforts  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  schism.    Accordingly,  Colonel  Beverley  Robinson  sought  to 

♦  Thnsf!  and  otlier  duciiinciits  umy  be  (oiind  in  Alinna's  Remembrancer,  Vol.  \k, 
—for  173'2. 


t  Sljdo'a  State  Papers. 


t  Idem. 


17^81.]  CONDUCT   OP   THE   VERMONTESE.  I99 

q^en  a  correspondence  with  Ethan  Allen  as  early  as  March,  1780 
answered     A  second  letter  from  Robinson  was  received  by  AI- 

g.ess  m  March,  accompanied  by  a  letter  plainly  assertin-.  the 

t'  tJ""'""'  '?  ,^""^  ^°  ^  ''''-^''''^^  «^  hostilities  ^vih 
Grea  BrUa.n,  provided  its  claims,  as  a  State,  were  still  to  be  re- 
jected by  Congress.  It  does  not  appear,  however,  that  the  threat 
had  any  eflect  upon  that  body. 

Councn'orv"""  "?^""  "'^  '''''^  '°'^^"^"-^'  *<^  Clovernor  and 
o?E  h  n   to       '°'?°T'''^""'^  ""^'""^^  ^^-^  A''«"'  «  brother 

tl  nrm";     T''',  '°  '^'  ^'^' ""''  ^^"'^'  *«  «««'^  « ^^-^'-tei  with 

ce  in  favor  of  Vermont.     The  arrangements  for  this  negotia- 
tion were  conducted  with  the  most  profound  secrecy ;  only  ei^ht 
persons  being  cognizant  of  the   procedure.*     Colonel   Allen  " 
accompanied  by  one  subaltern,t  two  sergeants,  and  sixteen  pri! 
vates,  departed  upon  his  mission  on  the  first  of  May :  and  hav- 
ing arrived   at  the   Isle  au  Noix,  entered  at  once   upon  his 
business-negotiating  with  Major  Dundas,  the  commander  of 
that  post,  only  on  tne  subject  of  an  exchaiure  of  prisoners  but 
more  privately  with  Captain  Sherwood  and  George  Smith,  Esq 
on  the  subject  of  an  armistice.     The  stay  of  Allen  at  the  island 
was  protracted  for  a  considerable  time,  and   the  conferences 
with  the  two  commissioners,  Sherwood  and  Smith,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  political  relations  of  Vermont,  were  frequent,  but  per- 
fectly confidential  ;  Allen  carefully  avoiding  to  write  any  thino-  to 
guard  gainst  accidents.    But  from  the  beginning,  it  seems 
to  have  been  perfectly  understood  by  both  parties  that  they  were 
treating  "for  an  armistice,  and  to  concert  measures  to  -establish 
Vermont  as  a  colony  under  the  ciown  of  Great  Britain."!  In  the 
course  of  the  consultations,  Allen  freely  declared  "  that  such  was 
theextreme  hatred  of  Vermont  to  the  state  of  New- York  that 
I'  rather  than  yield  to  it,  they  would  see  Congress  subjected  to  the 
^British  government,  provided  Vermont  could  be  a  distinct  colo- 
ny under  the  crown  on  safe  and  honorable  terms."    He  added, 

TiLTJT'  ^""'"""J^".  M-'^es  Robinson,  Samuel  Saffbrd,  Ethan  Allen,  Ira  Allen 
Timothy  Brownson,  John  Fassett,  and  Joseph  Fay.  ' 

T  Lieutenant  Simeon  Lyman. 

t  Political  History  of  Vermont,  pubUshed  by  Ira  Allen  in  London,  in  1798. 


'18!.;: : 

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[1781. 


« that  the  people  of  Vermont  were  not  disposed  any  longer  to  assist 
"in  establishing  a  government  in  America  which  might  subiect 
« them  and  their  posterity  to  New- York,  whose  government  was 
«  more  detested  than  any  other  in  the  known  world."*  These  were 
encouraging  representations  in  th^  ears  of  his  Majesty's  officers ; 
and,  afte°r  u  negotiation  of  seventeen  days,  the  cartel  was  arranged, 
and  an  armistice  verbally  agreed  upon,  by  virtue  of  which  hosti- 
lities were  to  cease  between  the  British  forces  and  the  people  un- 
der the  jurisdiction  of  Vermont,  until  after  the  next  session  of  the 
Legislature  of  Vermont,  and  even  longer,  if  prospects  were  satis- 
factory to  the  Commander-in-chief  in  Canada.  Moreover,  as 
Vermont  had  then  extended  her  claims  of  territory  to  the  Hud- 
son river,  all  that  portion  of  New- York  lying  east  of  the  river, 
and  north  of  the  western  termination  of  the  north  line  of  Massa- 
chusetts, was  included  in  the  armistice.  It  was  also  stipulated 
that,  during  the  armistice,  the  leaders  in  Vermont  were  to  pre- 
pare the  people  by  degrees  for  a  change  of  government,  and  that 
the  British  officers  were  to  have  free  communication  through  the 
territory  of  the  new  State— as  it  claimed  to  be.t 

But,  notwithstanding  the  veil  of  secrecy  drawn  over  the  pro- 
ceedings, dark  suspicions  got  afloat  that  all  was  not  right.     The 
sincere  Whigs  among  the  people  of  the  Grants  became  alarmed, 
and  were  apprehensive  that  they  might  be  sold  ere  yet  they  were 
aware  of  it.     When  the  Legislature  met,  the  people  whose 
jealousies  had  been  awakened,  flocked  to  the  place  of  meeting 
to  ascertain  whether  all  was  well;  and  it  was  only  by  much 
dissimulation  on  the  part  of  those  in  the  secret,  that  the  friends 
of  the  Union  were  pacified.     There  were  also  other  spectators 
present,  from  different  States,  who  felt  an  equal  interest  to  ascer- 
tain whether  the  great  cause  of  the  nation  was  not  in  danger  of 
being  compromised.    The  result  was,  that  the  agents  succeeded 
in  throwing  dust  into  the  eyes  of  the  people  ;  and  so  adroit  was 
their  management,  that  the  Aliens  held  communication  with  the 
enemy  during  the  whole  Summer  without  detection.     On  more 
than  one  occasion,  British  guards,  of  several  men,  came  to  the 
very  precincts  of  Arlington,  delivering  and  receiving  packages 
in  the  twilight. 

In  September  the  negotiations  were  renewed,  the  commission- 


♦  Allen's  Political  History  of  VormonU 


t  Idem. 


nh 


1781.) 


CONni'CT   OP   THE    VEUMONTESK. 


201 

ers  of  both  parties  menting  secretly  at  Skenesborough,  uithin 
the^terruory  of  Now- York,  and  farther  progress  was  rnade  m  the 
terms  of  tho  arrangement,  by  which  Vermont  was  in  due  time  to 
h row  hersel    <;  ,nto  the  arms  of  her  legitimate  sovereign."    Sir 
Modor,ck  Ha  dnnmid.  however,  was  becoraing  impatient  of  long- 
or  delay;  and  a  strenuous  effort  was  made  for  an  immediate 
and  open  declaration  on  the  part  of  Vermont.     To  this  prop^ 
t.on  the  Vermont  commissioners.  Ira  Allen.  Joseph  Fay.  and  a 
tlmd  person  whoso  name  is  not  given,  pleaded  Lt  tlL  had 
not  y  t  been  tune  to  prepare  the  people  for  so  great  a-  change,  and 
ha  they  should  r,n,uire  the  repose  of  the  ajproaching  W  n ter 
frv  tha  object.      t  wa.  at  length  stipulated,  however,  thaUn  s- 
.  ■.  .h  as  the  royal  authority  had  been  received  by  Sir  Frederick 
11;  dunand  for  that  purpose,  an  army  might  ascend  the  hk 
.'Uh  proclamatmns  oilbring  to  confirn.  Vex^iont  as  a  colony  un-' 
der  the  crow..,  „po..  the  principles  a.,d  co.iditions  heretofore 
indicated,  o.i  the  ret,.rn  of  the  people  to  their  allegiance  .the 
con™.ss.o..ers  mtorposmg  a  request,  that  the  General  command! 
nig  the  exped.Mon  weld  endeavor  to  ascertain  the  temper  of  the 
poop  e  before  the  proclamation  should  be  actually  distributed 

The  Legislature  of  the  Grants  assembled  at  Charlestown  in 
October     Mea.,t.n.o  General  St.  Leger,  agreeafcly  to  the  arrant" 
me.u  with  Allen  and  Fay,  ascended  the^ake  to  TicondeTot 
with  a  stroi^r  force,  where  he  rested.     In  order  to  save  apla 
ances,  the  Vermo.Ucse  had  stationed  a  military  force  on  Uie 
opposite  shore.  u..der  the  command  of  General  Enos.  to  whom 
was  necessarily  confided  the  secret.     But  on  neither  side  would 
It  answer  to  mtrust  that  secret  to  the  subordinates.     They  must 
0  courso,  regard  eacli  other  as  enemies  in  good  faith ;  and  Uie  faci 
tliat  they  d.d  so  cor.s.der  themselves,  was  productive  of  an  affair 
whu:h  ph^ced  the  Vcnr^ontese  in  a  peculiarly  awkward  predica- 
ment    1  he  crcumstancos  were  these:  In  order  to  pieserve  at 
oast  the  mmucry  of  war,  scouts  and  patrols  were  occasionally 
0.  t  out  by  both  part.es.     Unluckily  one  of  these  Vermont  pa 
rt  ;TsTf  °""  '".^   '°  encounter  a  similar  party  from  t'he 

;  m    rh   V       ^^°''     ®''°''  ""'''  '^"'^^^^  ^"^»  hearty  good- 
^ull ,  the  Vermont  sergeant  fell,  and  his  men  retreated.   The  body 

clothes  to  General  Knos,  accompanied  by  auopen  letter  apoln. 
gi^mg  lor  the  occurro.ice.  and  expressing  his  rog.et  at  tlxo  result. 


gtm'm  '• 

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202 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1781. 


It  was  hardly  probable  that  an  unsealed  letter  would  pass 
through  many  hands,  and  its  contents  remain  luiknown  to  sill  save 
the  pe°rson  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  Such,  certainly,  was  not  the 
fact  in  regard  to  the  letter  in  question.  Its  contents  transpired ;  and 
great  wj5  the  surprise  at  the  civility  of  General  St.  Leger  in 
sending  back  the  sergeimt's  clothes,  and  deploring  hisdcatli.^   A 
messenger  was  despatched  by  General  Enos  to  Governor  (,'hit- 
tenden  at  Charlestown,  who,  not  being  in  the  secrets  of  ins  em- 
ployers, failed  not,  with  honest  simplicity,  to  proclaim  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  sergeant's  death,  and  the  extraordinary  mes- 
sage of  General  St.  Leger.     The  consequence  was  excitement 
among  the  people  assembled  at  Charlestown,  attended  with  a 
kindling  feeling  of  distrust.     "Why  should  General  St.  Leger 
send  back  the  clothes  V    «  Why  regret  the  death  of  an  enemy  ?" 
were  questions  more  easily  asked  by  the  people,  than  capable  of 
being  safely  and  ingenuously  answered  by  their  leaders.     The 
consequence  was,  a  popular  clamor  unpleasant  to  the  ears  of  the 
initiated.     Major  Runnels  confronted  Colonel  Ira  Allen,  and  de- 
manded to  know  why  St.  Leger  was  sorry  for  the  death  of  the  ser- 
geant?    Aliens  answer  was  evasive  and  unsatisfactory.     The 
Major  repeated  the  question,  and  Allen  replied  that  he  had  better 
o-o  to  St.  Leger  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  and  demand  the  rea- 
son, for  his  sorrow,  in  person.   A  sharp  altercation  ensued,  which 
had  the  effect,  for  a  short  time,  of  diverting  the  attention  of  the 
people  from  the  dispatches  which  they  had  been  clamoring  to  have 
read.  These  were  precious  momenti!  for  the  Governor  and  the  ne- 
gotiators with  the  enemy.    The  Board  of  War  was  convened,  the 
members  pf  which  were  all  in  the  secret,  and  a  set  of  pretended 
letters  were  hastily  prepared  from  such  portions  of  General  Enos's 
dispatches  as  would  serve  the  purpose  in  hand,  which  were  read 
publicly  to  the  Legislature  and  the  people ;  and  which  had  the 
effect   of  allaying  the  excitement  and  hushing  suspicion  into 

silence. 

Meantime  a  rumor  of  the  capture  of  Cornwallis  and  his  army 
at  Yorktown  was  wafted  along  upon  the  southern  breeze  ;  the 
effect  of  which  was  such  upon  the  people,  as  to  induce  Allen 
and  Fay  to  write  to  the  British  commissioners  with  St.  Leger, 
that  it  would  be  imprudent  at  that  particular  conjuncture  for  him 
to  promulgate  the  royal  proclamation,  and  urging  delay  to  a  more 
auspicious  moment.     The  messenger  with  these  despatches  had 


IT'S!.]  CONI>UCT   OP   THE    VKUMONTESE.  203 

not  been  longer  than  an  honr  «t  the  hond-qnarters  of  St  T  n. 
at  Ticonderofe-a,  before tho  rumor  rosnertinirnn      m  ^^' 

and  ,jro:r::r^;:",  *:rai;srLr::rt^^^ 

The  digro^ion  which  h„.  been  raSr'  !  '''"''"™- 

Department,  and  the  Government  of  thoQ?!  ..x  ^^^'" 
were  obliged  to  contend  dur  n"  ^o^  !^  ''  ^T"^"'' 
Strong  light  is  also  reflected  by  tL.nrunonhnT  '"""^^^f  «"• 
history  of  tlie  war  itself  wifl.  ,  V        '  P°'^'°"  °^  ^^^ 

was  a  correspondence,  of  some  doscrin.inn  1.  *^^'® 

of  .he  people  oeeup/in,  •he^triC^h'^rol'^t^t 

ouc  neitner  the  precise  character,  nor  the  erfpnt  ^r  ,u  . 
correspondence,  has  been  generally  imderstood    S  if  ^ 
for  obvious  reasons,  been  the  Jesim  nf  /.    ^°°'*    '^^^'^  '^  has, 
-mod  in  those  meters  to  r  ;rei     thrihT  '""""  ^^^^ 
dissembling  with  an  en4v  who  b„       /.  ^  '  ^'  ^  ^''^"^^  °^ 

•g~.  wul,  Mr.  S|„„k.  in  ,h,  «pi„io„  n,,  „  fc"  ..  11,         """■"  """'"'' 


.IBS,,.  , 


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204 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1781. 


■4.1 


liir 


i 


a^'ft  i!; 


it  IS  111  the  secret  proceedings  of  the  Vermont  conspirators,  that 
the  key  is  found  to  the  mysterious  movements  of  the  enemy  ou 
Lake  Champlain,  which  liad  so  greatly  harassed  the  American 
commanders  at  the  north  during  that  Autumn.     It  was  known 
that  St.  Le-er  was  upon  the  lake  in  great  force  ;  and  havmg 
landed  at  Ticondcroga,  to  all  human  calculation  an  invasion 
was  intended,  which  the  country  was  then  ill  prepared  to  resist. 
At  times  he  was  apparently  balancing  upon  what  point  to  move. 
With  the  means  of  striking,  he  did  not  strike  ;  and  his  d.lato- 
rinoss,  and  apparent  indecision,  were  alike  inexplicable.      I  he 
effect  was  to  keep  the  northern  part  of  the  state  in  constant 
ai'irm  and  to  harass  the  militia  by  frequent  calls  to  the  hold, 
against  an  enemy  hovering  upon  the  shore  of  the  lake,  always, 
apparently,  just  ready  to  make  a  descent,  and  yet  idling  away 
the  season  without  forther  demonstration.     Much  greater  quiet- 
ness mi-ht  have  been  enjoyed  by  the  people  of  New-York,  so 
far  as  the  common  enemy  was  concerned,  had  it  been  known 
that  his  hands  were  fettered  by  an  armistice  with  a  contiguous 
territory,  claiming  to  be  an  American  state,  and  professing  at 
the  same  time  to  be  at  open  war  with  the  self-same  enemy  with 
whom  the  government  of  the  said  territory  was  at  that  moment 
in  se-ret  alliance.*    When  to  this  singularly  embarrassing  po 
sition  those  other  difficulties  which  have  been  passed  in  review 
are  added,  such  as  an  exhausted  and  ravaged  country ;  an  un 

of  the  Vermontese.  They  had  determinea  that  New-York  should  be  dismembered ; 
and  if  they  could  not  force  themselves  into  the  confederation  as  a  Mat.  they  were 
willing  to  fall  back  into  the  arms  of  Great  Britain  as  a  Colony  But  .t  .s  very  cer- 
2  ftom  the  conduct  of  the  people  of  the  Grants  when  they  heard  of  St.  Le.,-r  s 
regrets  at  the  killing  of  the  sergeant,  that  ikey  were  prepared  for  no  such  arrange- 

"Tof  course  General  Heath  was  rot  aware  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Vermontesc 
when  he  issued  his  general  orders  above  cited,  nor  was  the  Government  of  New- 
York  acquainted  with  them.  Although,  from  the  necessity  of  the  case,  a  considera- 
ble number  of  the  Vermont  leaders  mu.t  have  been  in  the  secret  .t  was  nevertheless 
exceedin-lv  well  kept.  It  was  not  until  the  month  of  Marc^  of  the  roUow.ng  year, 
n782^  that  Governor  Clinton  communicated  the  affidavits  of  Edgar  and  Abeel  to  the 
Legislature,  the  substance  of  which  has  been  embodied  in  the  preceding  narrative. 
Th^se  affidavits  explained  the  'hreats  murmured  by  Ethan  Allen,  when  in  Albany 
the  Snrin.'  before.  They  also  explained  the  threat  contained  in  a  letter  from  Go- 
yernor  Chittenden,  referred  to  in  a  preceding  page,  while  they  strengthened  the  sus- 
pLL  that  iiad  for  month,  been  entertamrd  by  a.r.<-s^  Schuyler  and  Governo, 
Clinton.    But  it  was  not  until  years  had  elapsed  Uiat  the  whole  truth  came  out 


1781.J  xNsunnr.cTioN  north  or  albanv.  205 

fed,  ur clothed,  unpaid  and  desortiuir  «rmv  ••  „  »      •      v 
tion  anion,,  the  people  imn.odia  T^  t  Lo       T'' f ''^"* 
tions  of  hostile  partisan  hands  in  ovn'l  n    I:      "T'    '""P" 
gents  setting  the  laws  at  defiance   u  on    d  "t  on^'^H     "r"" 
regiments  in  the  district  tlnis  lawless     ore  Z  »    .  "''^"''' 

oin  the  disorfranizors  •  wi,i. ,     '^'. ''•'""'«  ""^'^  Jmlf  disposed  to 

iuv..ion  from  thfe'st  ";;,"' '"'  ""^^^'^'^^  ^--'^^^le 

and  military  authoritie^w:^.:  .  ^Xa  ""^  r"'  ^'^^' 
evils,  requiring  for  their  contro  ah  t  .  ^""^I'l'^^tion  of 
discretion,  perseverance  n,  H  prudence  and  energy, 

plish.         P'"'"^™^^  «"d  courage,  combined,  could  accom- 

With  the  discomfiture  and  retreat  nf  \t„'      n 
hand,  and  the  return  of  St.  Le'  r    1  L    ^  >   ^''  °"  '^'  °"^ 
all  active  operations  ceased  w^hti  -^"^'"^  °"  the  other, 

the  difficulUes  of  L  sTate  ct  '"""^  '^^  '^''  "°"^^-  B^^ 
sh.re  Grants  were  o^th  tcrt:::"'::::;'^^  ^'^«  ^^-  Hamp- 
high,  that  by  the  1st  of  DeceX'  n  '^""'roversy  ran  so 

the  regimeifts  of  ColonelJohn  Va  IZ'T""  '^^'"  ^"*  ^" 
Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer,  in  U,e  nor  ^T"  ""^  "^^"^^"^^ 
.State;  while  the  regiment  i/ktrp^^^^^^  t^nf ''^^ 
"^g  to  the  brigade  of  General  Gans  vomlL,rsi;  '  t"^" 
not  much  better.      These  distnrhl..!  "  a  condition 

Hoosic,  and  a  place  c^t^St  S'yt  "d  72  "l  -'^^^^^ ^^'^' 
"ig  then  to  the  county  of  Albanv     b,        •  '^■'^''"^'  ^'^'°"& 

the  Hudson,  north  of Ihe  paral  d  of  ^"^  '"  '^'  ''''  '''^'  '^ 

chusetts,  thJGovernmi::  Stw  S" r'"7?''^^^ 
tended  its  ge^is  over  that  .e^rfin  ,  «f       ""'"P^hire  Grants  had  ex- 

a^'-to.resta^t;r^;:::^lnr't::s 

was  apprised  of  the  insurrection  on  the  f.tli  h1  T°''' 
directed  Colonels  Yates  and  Henry  K  Van  R.'  immediately 
regnnents,  at  that  time,  were  the  leTs t^c  ed  wi;:  ^  "'"' 
gent  spirit,  to  collect  such  troops  as  they  cou  d  and  ''''"'" 

Coych,  to  the  assistance  of  Colonel  2i  V  n 'p      'T''  *°  ^t. 
express   being  dispatched   to  the  Go"  ^" 

wuhthe  unwelcome  information,  and  Zl^^^^^ 

be  mamtamed,  nor  ,lu,  army  kept  in  .h/fiHd  .nJ^  3  T''!.'^' "^  ""'  P"^''  ^''"not 


"HI'!  ■J 


C,„..v 


■  M 


-^H 

L.-  4"'  ■ 
r  J,? 

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1    !• 
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■'■WSR       V 

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Uft- 


20G 


LIFE   OF    DRANT. 


[1781 


wliat  course  to  ptirsue  in  the  omorgciioy,  the  return  of  th(!  nies- 
scn<,^'r  brought  very  explicit  orders  from  the  iiidorniliible  chief 
nm-ristrute:— '  I  perfectly  approve  of  your  conduct,"  said  the 
Governor ;  "  and  have  only  to  add,  Ihiit  should  the  ibrcc  already 
"detached  prove  insullicient  to  (piell  tlu?  insurrection,  you  will 
«  make  such  addition  to  it  as  to  render  it  etlectual.  I  iiave 
«  transmitted  to  General  Robert  Van  Rensselaer  the  information, 
"  and  have  directed  him,  in  case  it  should  be  necessary,  on  your 
"application,  to  give  assistance  from  his  brigade."*  Although 
tlio  fact  had  not  been  stated  in  the  dispatclies  forwarded  to  Go- 
vernor Clinton,  that  the  movement  was  beyond  doubt  sympa- 
thetic with,  or  instigated  from,  the  Grants,  yet  the  Governor  was 
at  no  loss  at  once  to  attribute  it  to  the  "  usurped  government 
of  that  pretended  State  f[  and  it  was  his  resolute  determination 
to  oppose  force  to  force,  and,  in  regard  to  the  Grants  themselves, 
to  repel  force  by  force. 

Gansevoort  did  not  receive  his  instructions  from  the  Governor 
until  tlie  15th.  Meantime  Colonels  Yates  and  Henry  Van  Rens- 
selaer had  made  no  progress  in  quelling  the  insurrection  ;  the 
insurgents,  on  the  other  hand,  being  on  the  increase,  and  having 
thrown  up  a  bloclc-house  for  defence.  On  the  IGth  General 
Gansevoort  took  the  tield  himself,  repairing  in  the  first  instance 
to  the  head-qaarters  of  General  Stark  at  Saratoga,  in  order  to 
obtain  a  detachment  of  troops  and  a  field-piece.  But  the  troops 
of  Stark  were  too  naked  to  move  from  their  quarters ;  and  it 
was  thought  improper  for  him  to  interfere  without  an  order  from 
General  Heath.;  Gansevoort  then  crossed  over  to  the  east  side 
of  the  river,  in  order  to  place  himself  at  the  head  of  such  militia 
as  he  could  muster  in  Schaghticoke  and  Hoosic ;  but  was  soon 
met  by  Colonel  Yates,  m  full  retreat  from  the  house  of  Colonel 
John  Van  Rensselaer.  He  had  been  able  to  raise  but  eighty 
men  to  put  down  the  insurgents  of  John  Van  Rensselaer's  regi- 
ment;  and  on  arriving- at  St.  Coych,  he  discovered  a  force  of 
five  hundred  men  advancing  from  the  Grants  to  the  assistance 

*  MS.  letter  of  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Gansevoort,  Dec.  11,  1781. 

t  Itlem.  ,     1    . 

I  In  his  official  report  upon  the  subject,  Gansevoort  rather  distrusted  whether 
Stark  assigned  the  true  reason  for  withholding  his  aid  on  this  occasion,  Governor 
Chittenden,  of  the  Grants,  having  just  addressed  him  a  letter  requesting  him  not  to 
intarffre  with  his  troopi. 


:!>t 


1781.J 


COSHOCTON   CAMPAION. 


207 


insurg™..,.   Calls  h„d  Ih,„„  i„„d,.  „i«,,Hi,M   r  ^  °'^""' 

from  .1,0  w.„Il„  „„  t  u ,  fo  c,  Ih  r''  ?''  ""'•"  '"'"y""-    «"' 
Of  Colonel  V„„  Vfcl^    •!  ,  '"*■''">'  ""■■"  ""'W  l»  'aiscd. 

-o,,op„™,:r:irs;;,i:'t:;'i,::s^.'';;'7'"^^ 
=;^f:^:s:;--'-™™'-^eiX^ 

.1.0  ..o  s...aii' Jr ;  It  Z'f  "'r  r'""'""  •""  ^o-.  •» 

disposed,  i„as„,„ch  ^      ,  '"''"''.toiits  who  were  well- 

.sLould  .hey  refuse  taluCL "a     of  nn'        '""  "'*  '"'"'"• 
"lent  of  Vermont  •    T)?,.  ,  ,  °""^g'»""o  to  the  govern- 

nonf.ofanZ;ipti„',::;;r,h:r.;8,"'''''"^'™''°^'''» 

m,.  ellapter.  Itl^lnT;'  c°  '*  ""'f  ^^°"'  '^'"'"'S  .Lo  pre- 
called  the  CoiLZ  ampa'T'S  P  1'''^^  "'"'  >"-"' '™ 
r»mod,  „na  ..  attend^Te- el^r  rrnoTJ- 

•  Tlin  matrrials  for  this   ram,l  gkrtcl.  of  il.„  in 

less  force,  and  in  di(rer...nf  ways  f.^    via  T  n  '""""'"■''•  ""^  ^'"^'"^  ««• 

ffom  General  VVasl.in.ioa  ,o  G^3  e  „„"  ChU  £  '  "  "  "'"  ""''  '•"""'''"  ''^««' 

had  gn.„t  inflnenco  in  ^ausin,  .h   ^v  „  ^  '^""^  '"  ^--^^  1782. 

tory  of  Now-York.  twenty  miles  broa.I  unl   ,  """  '"  ''"'"^""^''  "^«  '"'ri- 

-'•ich  .hey  had  .seized.  Tl  J  I  air;  Jo  ha  "  "!  7  "''*'  °'' ''"'  "'"'-".  "P"" 
«it-..ho  enemy  in  Canada,  collmjra: i  ICr^  l'''""  ^"^  — Pondcnce 
B'-veral  months  of  tho  following,  year  •  but  h^  " %  ,  """"""""'■""''"^  '^"""g 

«;ra..,e  negotiation  of  it,  dangef  a  d'r  ndeS  77  f  '""''  """  ^'"P'-^  ">«' 
nllhoMoh  Governor  Clinton  wL  fullv  aL  ,  '"'Porfance.      Meantime, 

•'-e  G-n  Mountain  jr,arrol;ro'"  '?"'"'':''  "^ -''-"'ry  spirit,  o 
•o;"l  goy,.rnment  bf.ame  set  .d  T^L'Ti:??' ''"''.'■'''"'^^'  ''"^'""•'- 
administered.     Time  an.l  a^ain  fh«  .■  ''  P"'  '''"^'y  ""'^  efficiently 

nobody  cared  to  act  upo  i  ^  ^  elT'll^r  T"''  "^"'"^  ^°"^--'  -"- 
B--ed  to  think  it  the  part  of  «  sSo  1^^  ''  ""'  """^■""^^  ^""-'^  »" 
Vermont.  Things  remained  in  In  ,21.!^  T  '"  V""'"""  ""''  '-"''-P^dence  of 
of  the  federal  eon".i.u,r"b  Ne  -Yor  "t^  Z^'  ':r?  ""?  "''''  '''  '"""'''- 
anneably  adjusted  ;  Vertnon't  a^reein^t p  y     tt'ytn,    T    /"  ""'"^""^  «■■"• 


t. 

p. 

Ml....' 

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i.ii''i:  ov  niiANi'. 


irrsi. 


rnll.Ml  with  oflior  tliiin  painful  niiKilioiis.*  U  liml  at  (lilHrciil 
tim.vs  l)(«.«ii  till'  imri.ns.H)!'  Hio  ('oininiUKlcrin-cliicI'  llmt  '.oloiit'l 
Hroflli.'M.l  slKMild  pi'iu'tmlo  lliroiii,Hi  tlu'  ( Miio  Icnilory  to  l).'lrnit ; 
Imt  tlmt  (lesion  wms  iicv.'r  accoiiiplislKMl.  'I'lif  rxix-ditidii  now 
un<l-r  review  was  led  by  llrodiiead  ajr,Hnst  the  villair...s  of  llie 
unlVieiidly  Delaware  Indians  at  the  forks  of  lli.^  Miisl<iii-;nm. 
In  i)assiii-;  lliroii<,di  the  sellleiiient  of  IIm'  Moravian  Ilidi.iiis  ;,t 
Salem,  under  the  re'.iirions  eaie  of  the  Uev.  Mr.  Ileekewelder, 
some  of  ilrod head's  men  manifested  a  lioslile  disposition  toward 
those  inollensive  noneomhalaiils  ;  hnt  tli.'ir  hostile  livliiii^rs  were 
repressed  by  llrotlhead,  whose  exertions  wen>  seconded  hy  Colo- 
luA  SheplienI,  of  Wh(<elinir.  The  towns  asrainst  wliieh  ilie  Ame- 
rieans  were  proeeedin-j  W(M-o  nnd(>r  th«  oontn.l  of  Captain  Pijie, 
who  had  espoused  the  eanse  of  the  ennvn  at  the  insti-ration  of 
M'Kee,  KUiott,  and  ('lirty.  On  approaehinir  Coshocton,  llrod- 
head's  forces  were  divided  into  three  divisions ;  and  so  secret 
and  rapid  Wits  their  march,  that  tho  villa-reson  thoiMustcrn  hank 
of  tho  river  wore  fallen  upon,  aiul  all  the  Indians  w'>o  w(>re  at 
homo  taken,  withont  fnintr  usjuii.t  The  immediate  .-hject  of 
this  visitation  was  to  pnnish,  us  it  was  allejrod,  the  Indians  of 
tlioso  towns  for  some  rec-ent  crneltios  of  nnwonted  atrocity. 
They  had  madon  late  incursion  n|Km  the  fronti.'rs  of  Virginia, 
in  the  course  of  which  a  considerable  nnmb(>r  of  prisoners  were 
taken  ;  Init,  havins^  been  disapi)ointed  in  tho  mea.snre  of  their 
success,  iu  u  moment  of  riij^ni  they  bound  all  the  ndnlt  male 
captives  to  trees,  and  put  them  to  death  hy  torture,  amidst  the 
tears  and  lamentations  of  their  Ihmilies.t  It  was  now  (\ilonol 
Brodhead's  desi;;n  to  inflict  summary  veuijeance  for  those  mur- 
ders, lie  had  with  him  a  friendly  Delaware  chief,  named  Pe- 
killon,  who  pointed  out  sixteen  of  the  captive  warriors,  upon 
whom' he  charjred  the  murders  in  question.  A  council  of  war 
was  convened  in  the  evenino-,  which  di^cided  that  those  sixteen 
warriors  should  be  put  to  death.  They  ;  ;e  therefore  bound, 
and  despatched  with  tonudiawk  and  spear,  and  scalped.^ 

A  heavy  rain  had  swollen  the  river,  so  that  Colonel  Brodhead 
could  not  cross  over  to  the  villages  upon  the  opposite  side.  On 
the  following  morning  an  Indian  presented  himself  upon  tho 

•  DoddridsP,  in  liis  Indian  Wars,  diitos  tho  expedition  referred  to  in  17S0.  Drake, 
who  follows  aeckeweldcr,  states  that  it  occurred  in  1781. 

t  Doadrid-.  I  ^^^^^-  5  r>od<lr.dsfi. 


I7HI, 


ri.oHi:  OF  Tin:  vkau. 


yon 


olh.r  sid..,  aii.l  n,II,.(l  (or;;M  iiilrrvicw  with  fit..  "(Jpfvit  Ci.pf.'.in  " 
innmii.^r  t|„,  ,-o.miiaii(I.T  (.C  tli..  .■x|..diii„„.  C.KmH  nnxjl.,  ail 
presented  liimseli;  m,,!  ii„,„iif(l  what  h..  watilcd  "|  wajit 
poacn,"  was  tho  reply.  « .s,.,id  ovor  Norno  ..r  yc.i.r  eliirfs  "  said 
the  {'oUmrl  "  IVlay  Im.  y,.„  ki||,'-  r..j„i„rd  lli<!  Indian.  "''I'lu-v 
si.i.ll  not  he  killed,"  vva.N  the  answ.^.  A  line-lookin-r  ,s,„.|„.n'i 
therenj.on  crossed  tlu;  river,  and  whih,  rn^ruir, d  i„  ronversalion 
with  Colonel  Mr,Klhead,  a  whim  savaire,  named  Wel/rl,  .stole 
treaeheronsly  hehind  ih<,  nnsuspectin;;  warrior,  and  .struck  him 
dead  to  the  ('arlli.* 

Soin.r  ten  or  twelve  prisoners  were  taken  from  another  villafre 
fl.rthernp  the  river;  and  nrodh.-ad  eom  n-need  his  retnrn  on  the 
sanK!  day,  commiltin^r  the  prisoners  to  a^nard  of  militia.  They 
Iwid  not  proceeded  far,  however,  hefore  the  harharian  "iiards 
h-^iiian  to  hutcher  th.ur  e«ptiv<;s  ;  and  all,  save  a  frw  women  and 
children,  were  presently  dc^spaiehed  in  cold  hlood.f 

Cihuicinjr  yet  farM.er  south,  the  Cherokee   Indians   havin^r 
a-.tin  ;>ecome  f.-onhKsome,  and  mad.-,  an  incursion  into  South 
Ciiroln  a,  n-.assacrin<r  .some  of  th<!  inhahitants  and  hnrnin<r  their 
lioiises,    Genend   Pickens  proecie.led    into    their  own  .country 
and  .nlhcted  upon  them  severe  and  smnmary  chastis(!ment.     In' 
the  .space  of  fourteen  days,  at  the  head  of  less  than  i\mr  hundred 
inen,  he  killed  ui.ward   o(  forty  of  tli.,   Indians,  and  destroyed 
tli'iK^en  towns.     His  troops  w(;re  mounted  men,  who  chaifrod 
rapidly  upon  the  Indians,  ciittiiiir  (hotn  down  with  their  sahres 
with  great  effect.     Unused  to  this  mode  of  warfare,  they  sued 
imnKxliatoIy  for  peace. 

The  fall  of  Cornwulli.s  was,  in  fact,  tlie  last  important  act  of 
that  great  drama— Tiik  Amkrican  Rkvolution.  AlthoiMdi 
the  Hritish  were  yet  in  considerable  force  in  New- York,  and 
were  likewise  in  the  occupancy  of  va:-ious  posts  in  the  .south- 
ern states,  still  the  season  for  active  operations  was  past ;  ond 
after  the  loss  of  the  army  of  Cornwallis,  they  were  not  in  suffi- 
cieiit  force  in  the  north  to  resist  the  troops  that  could  now  he 
directed  against  them.  The  campaigning  of  the  year  1781 ,  and 
in  fact  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  were  therefore  at  an  end. 
Still,  there  were  other  belligerent  incidents  occurring  for  months 
a/tcrward,  the  record  of  which  will  require  another  cliapter. 


DoHdriduR. 


t  JcJrm. 


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1 1 


*!■ 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Chreraclrr  of  Joaopli  Bcttyii— Ilin  pxploits— Cnptiiro  and  eitPcutinn— Progrfssof  the 
war— (irixliiil  ccssiilioii  nt'lKMtilitii'it — Dm  milling  down  to  iniirontlliiiji  ofoiiliKwIg 
mid  sroiiliiij;  pnrtinH — CoiiiiiiMHionnrii  np|)oinli'(i  lo  lU'Udtiato  a  Irciil'  o(  pciiot' — 
Iiidiiin  hattl.s  on  lliti  Ki-iituckv  frontier — Dili'iilof  ('oloiiel  Hmm— l>i!<tru(  lion  (if 
tim  Sli.iwHiii'm!  towns — Tlin  Miiriivi.ini  on  tl)o  Muskit.i;iiri— 'rticirriMnoyul  to 
SnndiisUy  by  tlio  WyandotH— llvliirii  to  Bccnro  their  crops — Itivitiiioii  of  llicir 
towns  liv  Coloni'l  Wdliiinnon— TrriiclH'ry  of  WilliaiiiHon  uiul  liin  (niMi  ti>  llii^  In- 
diimx— Ifiirriltl'  ni  iN!<acri' — InviiHion  of  llii!  Snnthnky  i:()iintry  by  CrBtvford  iind 
Willi. mison — ncfciit  of  their  iirriiy— Colour!  Crawford  captiiri'd— Si'iilriiccd  to 
dii!  Iiy  torliirfi — IIjh  interview  with  tlio  Haehein  VVinnoniiind — \lh  rxoculion  — 
Close  of  the  year— Doiiht*  as  to  a  tri'aly  of  peace— Colonel  Willetl's  iitteinpt  to 
furprine  ().-iwe>;o — I'lie  iioWH  of  peace — SntHrings  of  Tryoii  Comity — lluturii  of 
its  pojiulalioii — K\h\  of  the  wars  of  the  Mohawk, 

Among  tho  minor,  but  yet  not  iiininportiint  ovimts  of  the  bor- 
der war  nt  tho  north  miil  west  of  Albany,  w.us  tht;  ca{)ttiro,  sorno 
time  in  tlio  Winter  of  17S1 — '82,  of  tho  celebrated  loyalist 
marauder,  Jose])h  Bettys,  whoso  name  lias  occurred  in  coiniex- 
ion  with  that  of  John  Waltermeyer  in  the  preceding:  chapter. 
Uottys,  or  "Joe  Hettys"  as  he  was  commonly  called,  Wits  a 
man  of  micominon  shrewdness  and  intelliirence.  Hold,  athletic, 
and  of  nnfirin<T  activity;  revengeful  and  cruel  in  his  disposi- 
tion ;  indexible  in  his  purposes  ;  his  bosom  cold  as  the  marble 
to  the  impulses  of  humanity  ;  he  ranged  the  border  settlements 
like  a  chafed  tiger  smdlhig  every  tainted  breeze  for  blood,  un- 
til his  name  had  become  as  terrific  to  the  borderers,  as  were 
diose  of  Kidd  and  Pierre  le  Grande  upon  tho  o'^■^nn  in  the  pre- 
ceding century.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  Bettys  was 
an  inhabitant  of  Ballston.  Ho  early  took  the  field  in  tho  cause 
of  the  republic,  and  a  sergeant's  warrant  was  conferred  upon 
him  in  Colonel  Wynkoop's  regiment.  But  he  had  a  proud,  in- 
dependent spirit,  that  could  ill  brook  the  severity  of  military  dis- 
cipline ;  and  for  some  act  of  contumacy,  he  was  reduced  to  tho 
ranks.  Still,  knowing  well  his  determined  character  and  un- 
flinching courage,  and  unwilling  that  his  country  should  lose 
his  services,  the  same  gentleman*  who  had  obtained  his  first 
warrant,  procured  him  another,  and  a  transfer  to  the  fleet  under 
the  command  of  General  Arnold  on  Lake  Champlain,  in  die 
Sunimer  of  1776. 

•  The  late  Colonel  Ball,  of  BaliPton. 


ir82.i 


iitsTonv  OP  jon  bettvm. 


Sll 


An  7^     r     '-'"^"^''■•"^"'  '''>^'^''"  -^  timt  lake  hotwoen 

Arnol  a„,l  .S.r  Guy  Carlo.on,  cm  the,  1 1,1.  c,f  October  of  that 
year,  Ho  tys  oxh.bitod  great  l.ravcry,  and  wa.  of  s\gun\  .service 
dura,,  the  battle,  which  histed  four  hours.  Ho  tbu-d.t  u  til 
every  con.nu.«.onod  odicer  or,  boar.l  his  v...ss,,l  was  eith.r  ki  d 
or  wouudod.  Assuum.g  tho  co.nu.and  then  hi.asoif,  ho  „. 
U.nu.d  he  h,ht  vvuh  such  rodcless  and  desperate  intropility/t  t 
General  Wmerbury,  Arnold's  second  in  con.n.an.I,  K-rcnvi  ' 
iUat  Hs  ves.sel  w.xs  about  to  sink,  was  obliged  to  ori-r  J S 
and  the  .survvors  of  his  crew  on  board  his  own  vessel.  I  v- 
....,  tn.s  observed  h.s  .ood  cond.ict,  Gonr-ral  VVaterbury  .stationed 

-nby  n.ss.de  on  the  ,uarter-deck,  and  ,ave  ord.-'s  thro  , 
la....  until  us  own  ves,sel  in  turn  beean.e  entirely  eri,.pled-.  tl  o 
crew  mostly  kUled-the  Ger.eral  hin..solf  wounded-i  ua  o  |y 
Uvo  0  hers,  exclusive  of  iJettys,  left  in  fighti,:,.  condition-wlet"^ 
h.s  colors  were  struck  to  the  er,en.y.  General  Waterbu  y  a[ 
terward  spoke  ,n  tfic  n.ost  exalted  terms  of  the  hi-d,  con  a4  of 
nouys,  addnj,,  that  the  shrewdness  of  his  uua.u,:;^Z^ 
timt  his  conduct  was  not  inferior  to  his  couram. 

^VInle  a  prisoner  i,i  Tanada,  the  arts  of  the  enemy  .subverted 
h.s  prmc.ples      He  w.-us  seduced  from  the  service  of  Ids    ount. t 
and  entered  that  of  the  enemy  with  the  rank  of  ensign      "o^ 
.ng  hn,>self  an  enem.y  equally  subtle  and  forimdable.  "prom  his 
mt,mate  knowledge  of  the  country  and   his  artful  add  e " 

Z  ^::^":f;T'"'^'' "'"•''""  -^  — n,^-,at  other 
as  a  spy,  and  at  others,  a-mm,  in  the  double  capacity  of  both 
Dunng  one  of  his  missions  of  this  nature,  he'was'^capt  r  d 
tried,  and  condemned  to  the  gallows.  But  the  entremie  of 
h..s  aged  parents,  and  the  solicitations  of  influential  Whls 
induced  General  Washington,  on  a  promise  oreriSt 
grant  h,m  a  pardon.  Yet  if  honor,  generosity,  and  gmtUude  h.d 
ever  been  qualities  of  his  soul,  they  had  take^  thefr  departure 

Losing  no  t.jne  in  rejoining  the  ranks  of  the  enemy,  he  be- 
ame  alike  reckless  of  character  and  the  dictates  of  huninnity ; 
nnd  instead  of  suitably  requiting  the  kindness  which  had  suc- 
cessfully mterposed  to  save  him  from  an  ignominious  death,  he 
ecame  the  greatest  scourge  of  his  former  friends  and  neighbor- 
nod      1  a  Iston,  m  particular,  had  long  reason  to  deplore  the 
n-judgod  loiuty.     He  returned,  and  recruited  soldiers  for  ♦'^'> 
K'ng  m  the  midst  of  the  settlements  ;  he  captured  and  carried 


i 


12 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[178a. 


1^  I 


off  the  most  zealous  and  efficient  Wliigs,  and  subjected  them  to 
the  severest  sufferings  ;  and  those  against  whom  he  bore  the 
strongest  hate,  lost  their  dwellings  by  fire  or  their  lives  by  mur- 
der. No  flitigue  weakened  his  resolution — no  distance  was  an 
obstacle  to  his  i;)ur{)ose — and  no  danger  appalled  his  courage. 
No  one  of  the  borderers  felt  secure.  Sometimes  in  the  darkness 
of  the  night  he  fell  upon  them  by  stealth ;  and  at  others,  even 
at  mid-day,  he  was  seen  prowling  about,  as  if  scorning  disguise, 
and  unconscious  of  danger.  Indeed,  he  boldly  proclaimed  him- 
self a  desperado — carrying  his  life  in  his  hand — equally  care- 
less of  it  as  he  said  he  should  be  of  the  lives  of  others  were 
any  again  to  attempt  his  arrest.  His  liberty,  he  declared,  would 
only  be  yielded  with  his  life ;  and  whoever  should  attempt  to 
take  him,  might  rest  assured  that  their  heart's  blood  would  in 
the  same  moment  be  drunk  by  the  earth.  His  threats  Avere 
well  understood  to  be  no  unmeaning  words  ;  and,  what  added 
to  the  apprehension  of  the  people,  was  the  well-known  fact,  that 
he  had  always  at  his  beck,  openly  or  in  concealment,  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  of  the  purpose  immediately  in  hand,  a  band  of 
refugees  partaking  of  his  own  desperate  character. 

His  adventures  while  engaged  in  this  species  of  warfare 
were  many  and  hazardous.  Nor  did  he  always  confine  his 
operations  to  tlie  border-settlements,  since  he  at  one  time  entered 
the  precincts  of  Albany,  and  made  a  similar  attempt  to  that  of 
Waltermeyer  to  abduct  General  Schuyler  from  the  mansion  of 
the  Patroon,  where  he  was  then  lodged.* 

It  must  not  be  supposed,  however,  that  all  hearts  quailed  be- 
fore .Toe  Bettys.  Far  from  it ;  and  many  were  the  ineffectual  at- 
tempts made  for  his  arrest  before  the  measures  undertaken  for 
that  purpose  were  again  crowned  with  success.  But  in  the 
course  of  the  Winter  now  under  consideration  his  wonted  visfi- 
lance  was  at  fault.  A  suspicious  stranger  having  been  observed 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Ballston,  upon  snow-shoes,  and  well- 
armed,  three  men  of  that  town,  named  Cory,  Perkins,  and  Ful- 


«il 


♦  Tliis  account  of  Joe  Bettys  has  been  written  from  a  Fourth-of-JuIy  speech  de- 
livered by  the  late  Colonel  Ball  some  ten  or  twelve  years  ago.  Among  the  prison- 
ers mnde  by  Bettys  and  Waltermeyer  from  Ballston,  in  the  Spring  of  1791,  were 
the  following  persons,  viz:  Samuel  Nash,  Joseph  Chard,  Uri  Tracy,  Et)hraim 
Tracy,  Somuel  Palchin,  Epenetus  White,  John  Fulmer,  and  two  men  named  Bon- 
tas,  who  were  brothers.    I'hey  were  all  taken  to  Canada,  and  roughly  used. 


1782.] 


HISTORY   OF   JOE    BETTYS. 


213 


mer,  itt  e  d(mbtm.a-  as  to  the  identity  of  the  man,  immediately 
armed  tliemselves  and  went  in  pursuit.     He  was  traced  bv  a 
circuitous  track  to  the  house  of  a  well-known  loyalist,  which 
was  fortunately  approached  with  so  much  circumspection  as  to 
enable  the  scouts  to  reach  the  door  unobserved,     iiroalcino-  the 
barrier  by  a  sudden  effort,  they  spran^r  in  upon  the  black  and 
doubly-dyed  traitor,  and  seized  him  before  he  had  opportunity 
of  resistance.     He  was  seated  at  dinner  when  they  entered,  his 
gstols  lying  upon  the  table,  and  his  rifle  resting  upon  his  arm 
He  made  an  attempt  to  discharge  the  latter  ;  but  forgettincMo 
remove  the  deer-skin  cover  of  the  lock,  did  not  «n..eed     Pow 
erful  and  muscular  as  he  was,  the  three  were  an  over-match  for 
him  and  he  vyas  immediately  so  securely  pinioned  as  to  render 
resistance  useless  anfl  escape  morally  impossible 

Apparently  resigning  himself  to  his  fate,  Bettys  now  requested 
permission  to  smoke,  which  was  readily  granted.     While  takino- 
he  tobacco  from  his  box,  and  making  the  us,;al  preparations' 
he  was  observed  by  Cory  adroitly  to  cast  something  into  the 
fire     It  was  instantly  snatched  from  thence  with  a  handful  of 
coals,  and  proved  to  be  a  small  leaden  box,  about  the  eic^hth  of 
jm  inch  m  thickness,  and  containing  a  paper  in  cipher,  which 
he  captors  could  not  read ;  but  it  was  subsequently  cuscertained 
to  be  a  despatch  addressed  to  the  British  commander  in  New- 
York.     It  also  contained  an  order  for  thirty  guineas,  provided 
the  despatch  should  be  safely  delivered.     Bettys  pleaded  hard 
for  permission  to  burn  the  paper,  and  offered  a  hundred  Guineas 
or  the  privilege.     But  they  refused  his  gold,  and  all  his  prof- 
fered  bribes  for  the  means  of  escape,  with  the  most  unyieldino- 
firmness.     He  then  exclaimed-"  I  am  a  dead  man  '"     It  was 
oven  so.     He  was  taken  to  Albany,  where  he  was  tried,  con- 
victed, and  executed  as  a  spy  and  traitor. 

If  the  conduct  of  the  three  captors  of  Major  Andre  was  patriotic 
that  of  the  three  captors  of  Joe  Bettys  was  both  patriotic  and 
brave.  Andre  was  a  gei.tleman,  and  without  the  means  of  de- 
lence;  Bettys  was  formidably  armed,  and  known  to  be  a  despe- 
rado.  The  capture  of  Andr<>  was  by  accident ;  that  of  Bettys 
by  enterprise  and  design.  The  faking  of  the  former  was  with- 
out danger ;  that  of  the  latter  a  feat  of  imminent  peril.  Andre 
wa.s  a  m.ore  important  man,  by  rank  and  station,  than  Bettys  • 
but  not  more  dangerous.     Both  tempted  their  captors  by  crold' 


-ml"'!! 

u,„.v 


«...  .J 


MUtil*** 


•  *?»  .. 


' ;.  r;;  1,1 


'^^m 


B' 


214 


LIFn    OF   BRANT. 


[1782. 


>  ■  f> 


u,-: 


and  both  were  foiled.*  The  captors  of  Andr6  were  richly  re- 
warded, and  the  achievement  has  been  emblazoned  in  history, 
and  commemorated  by  monumental  granite.  The  captors  of 
Bettys  have,  until  now,  never  been  known  to  history;  and  their 
only  visible  reward  was  the  rifle  and  pistols  of  their  terribh; 
captive.  With  such  partial  hand  are  the  honors  and  rewards  of 
this  world  bestowed  ! 

As  already  remarked,  the  substantial  fighting  of  the  war  was 
ended  by  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis.  It  is  true,  therfe  were 
affairs  of  outposts  occurring  afterward,  and  some  partial  fighting 
took  place  at  the  south  early  in  the  season  of  1782,  between 
General  Wayne  and  sundry  small  British  posts,  after  General 
Greene  luad  detached  the  former  into  Georgia.  The  most  se- 
rious of  these  affairs  was  a  smart  brush  witl^aparty  of  Cieek  In- 
dians, near  Savannah,  on  which  occasion  the  British  garrison 
sallied  out  to  their  assistance,  but  were  repulsed.  For  the  most 
part,  however,  the  year  1782  was  rather  a  period  of  armed  neu- 
trality than  of  active  war.  The  news  of  the  catastrophe  at 
Yorktown  at  once  and  materially  strengthened  the  opposition  to 
the  farther  prosecution  of  the  contest  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
by  which  a  resolution  was  soon  afterward  pjvssed,  declaring 
"  That  the  House  would  consider  as  enemies  to  his  Majesty  and 
"  the  country,  all  who  should  advise  or  attempt  the  forther  prose- 
"  cution  of  offensive  war  on  the  Continent  of  North  America." 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  superseded  in  the  chief  command  by  Sir 
Guy  Carleton,  who  was  specially  instructed  to  use  his  endeavors 
to  effect  an  accommodation  with  America.  Commissioners  for 
the  negotiation  of  a  treaty  of  peace  were  soon  afterward  appoint- 
ed, viz.  John  Adams,  Benjamin  Franklin,  John  Jay,  and  Henry 
Laurens  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  and  Mr.  Fitzherbert 
and  Mr.  Oswald  on  that  of  Great  Britain.  On  the  30th  of  No- 
vember these  commissioners  had  agreed  on  provisional  articles 
of  peace,  as  the  basis  of  a  treaty  by  which  the  Independence  of 
the  United  States  was  acknowledged  ir.  its  fullest  extent. 

As  the  surrender  of  Earl  Cornwallis  was  the  last  important 
military  event  between  the  main  armies,  so  was  the  disastrous 
expedition  of  Majors  Ross  and  Butler  the  last  attempt  of  any 
magnitude  upon  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk.  True,  indeed,  that 
leautiful  region  of  coimtry  had  been  so  utterly  laid  waste,  that 

♦  Colonel  Ball. 


1782.] 


TIIK    KENTUCKY    BORDKR. 


215 


disconra,c>d  C    u.  ^  >o  f-  '""''  ""'^  ""^^P^cted,  had 

"t  others  ..cat  .^oubl,  and  ft  ^  ^   and    n       '""  :'"""'  ""^ 
sidorahio  injury      (),,  LIZ  ^  ''''"'^^'"^  'n/],ctin,g  con- 

ed,  a„d  will,  „„o  „f  hi,  com  ,  P.?  I      '"™™""  ^''"s  wound- 
parly  wore  kill,,!    ,„d  iH  ,     ,  '"'"'"  ^"'°"'"-     T""-  °f  H'e 

Ho  hod  H„o„.  occ.,;io,,l  dipL  ^coSenM    t  T'™; 

,emolerwo,tworo„,o,o,,civeln!,,     r         f'"*'™  "^  *« 
in  th.,  pr„c„d,„.r  V,  ,^     h,  M™  h  '  ""=.'""""=''y  f^'ier  Ibau 

;a..L,,,„,,dr,.,,rxr,;tH^^^^^^^^^^^ 

"  battle  csucd,  i„  which  the  i„dinn!  Be'"!r°vertaktn, 

Captain  w.,.  KiUed,  .o;n,:^rr;,.TL:'STnd  T 

.ndian.  ly  when.  .^ot^^S^rdr  L^S^  ^Lt 

•  Advcntiiros  of  r.iloiicl  Dnni,.!  Hnnn      ti 
the  Indiana  „l,„.o.l  tlm  ,u'r  on    „    ,ir«:  /'"'" 'r'^'"'S  ^""-n  «"  doubi  wl.e.hor 
o*-  "-  kind  .ha,  in  I i, ""     ;/  ^  r"'";;  •  ^'^  l^  ''  -"  ^^e  onl,  in,,n„oe 


.IBS:;; ; 


J,..,... 

k::"J 


*«' 


,  .< 


Hi'^ 


216 


LIFE    OF   DUANT. 


[1782 


band  was  also  pursued  by  Captain  Holder,  with  a  party  of  seven- 
teen men,  wbo,  coming  up  with  the  Indians,  were  likewise  de- 
feated with  a  loss  of  seven  killed  and  two  wounded. 

On  ihe  15th  of  August,  the  post  at  Briant's  station,  five  miles 
from  Lexington,  w.us  invested  by  a  far  more  considerable  party 
of  the  enemy,  numbering  five  hundred  Indians  and  Canadians. 
After  killing  all  the  cattle  in  the  neighborhood,  they  assaulted  the 
post  on  the  third  day,  but  were  repulsed  with  a  loss  of  about 
eighty  killed  and  n.:mbers  wounded;— how  many,  was  not 
known.     They  were  pursued  on  their  rotreat  by  Colonels  Todd, 
Trigg,  and  Boon,  and  Major  Harland,  at  the  head  of  one  hundred 
nnd."seventy-six  men,  well  armed  and  provided.     The  Indians 
drew  the  pursuers  into  an  unfavorable  position  on  the  19th, 
uhen  a  severe  battle  ensued,  in  which  the  Kentuckians  were 
beaten  with  the  loss  of  seventy-six  men ;  among  whom  were 
Colonels  Todd  and  Trigg,  Major  Harland,  and  a  son  of  Colonel 
Boon.      The  battle  lasted  only  fifteen  minutes.      The  retreat 
from  the  field  was  yet  more  disastrous  than  the  battle  itself.    It 
was  fought  on  the  banks  of  the  main  fork  of  the  Licking  river, 
at  the  great  bend,  forty-three  miles  from  Lexington.     The  Ken- 
tuckians were  pursued  across  the  river,  some  on  horseback  and 
otliers  on  foot.     Some  were  killed  in  the  river,  and  others  while 
ascending  the  cliffs  beyond.     The  arrival  of  the  fugitives  at  Lex- 
ington with  the  melancholy  tidings,  occasioned  a  scene  of  weep- 
ing and  deep  lamentation,  since  a  large  portion  of  the  male  popu- 
lation had  fallen.     Being  reinforced  a  few  days  ufterward.  Colo- 
nel Boon  returned  to  bury  the  dead,  which  he  represents  as  an 
affair  of  a  most  painful  description.     So  mangled  and  disfigured 
w^re  the  bodies,  that  their  identity  could  not  be  ascertained. 
The  Colonel  was  afterward  informed  that  when  the  Indians 
discovered  the'r  own  loss  to  have  been  four  more  than  that  of 
the  Kentuckians,  four  of  the  seven  prisoners  they  had  taken 
were  handed  over  to  their  young  men  to  be  put  to  death  by 

torture. 

On  hearing  of  this  disastrous  affair.  General  Clark,  wh  was 
ftt  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio,  directed  a  pursuit  of  the  Indians  to 
their  own  towns  of  Old  and  New  Chihcotho,  Peccaway,  and 
Wills  Town.  Colonel  Boon  seems  to  have  led  this  expedition, 
although  the  fact  is  not  expressly  stated  in  his  narrative.  Fail- 
intr  in  an  attempt  to  tall  upon  the  Indians  by  surprise,  the  Colo- 


1782.J 


THK   MORAVIAN    INDIANS. 


217 


nel  took  possession  of  thoir  rln^ow  „i  ♦  ,  .  . 

were  killed  by  acciden.,  n  .  b^^j     ,  °"  w^h  il,        °'  "J'"™ 

and  unnatural  contest.     It  is  a  ta h  nf  .  protracted 

wliite  raen-not  the  Indians      r       ?       '"'''  '''°'  '"  ^^'"^'^  ^^e 

the  Mas.n,rrjp:ieSr :  - 

from  Wyalusing  and  Sheshequono     tl     S  son  ^  ^'"'''>  ""^ 
year  1772.     Notvvitiistandin.  t  e  an  uTvfr^"""'  "'  '^' 
tl>om  n.  consequence  of  the  Or    ap  T  r '     imT""'  ,'^ 
ments,  which  were  named  Schoo'b m  n/Llm  \ '/oirS 
Imetten,  rose  rapidly  in  importance,    and  n  n    .     f  '"' 

bered  upward  of  four  hunL  d  poonlo  a?  '^  ""'  """^ 
was  the  celebrated  Delaware  2d  o,'  uT'^  '^f  ^'"^^^^^ 
for  his  bravery  on  the  war Irh  ^'f'^'^^'^^h  famous  alike 

eloquence  in  dZte  S  t  ''  '"?"''"  council,  and  his 
staL  between  ll^^whi^'^r^^r  f ':^;^^'^-^ 
the  lakes,  was  unpleasant  after  T  wj  of  he  R.td  "'""  '' 
on,  and  subjected  them  to  di/Hc,  iZ  u  T  "*'°"  "^"'^^ 
the  suspicions  of  both  or  nli  o  T.     ,    ,f  «r»«tely  arising  from 

whose  evil  inteLL  s  tla7  h  m  t'h  f  ""^  '^''^'^  ''^'''' 

n.nished.     Still,  their  labo:'  t'sSl^i^li^^S^^t 
exorcKseswere  conducted  and  practised  as  ukinl  ^    "' 

llwir  own  nee  ivL  ,  7-  ''"*"™'«'  •"  d™ade  some  o( 

Tl.e^l,os,ilo  l„d,a„s  ftequontly  bovered  around  ,beir  seW. 


licit 

>«'« 

I* 

'•Nil 

<• 

■  ■ 

:? 

►  >«' 

J 

"1. 

If 
'I 

. »' 


t    •:    ' 


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i 

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: 

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i 

II 


l\  ].  :  I  ■ 


218 


LIFK    OF   BRANT. 


[1782, 


monts,  and  sometimes  threatened  their  destrnntion,  r.ndcr  the 
pretext  that  their  neutrality  was  equivocal,  and  tliat  tliey  were 
secretly  in  alliance  with  the  Americans,  to  whom  they  were  in 
the  practice  of  giving  timely  notice  of  the  hostile  advances  of  the 
Indians  in  the  service  of  the  King.*  In  1777  they  were  visited 
by  the  noted  Huron  chief.  Half  King,  at  the  head  of  two  hun- 
dred of  his  warriors,  on  his  way  to  attack  some  of  the  frontier 
settlements  of  Virginia.  Half  King  at  first  menaced  tlic  Mora- 
vian non-combatants ;  but  Glickhickan  appeased  his  ire  by  u 
timely  supply  of  refreshments,  and  diverted  him  from  his  pur- 
pose by  an  opportune  spoecn,  declaring  their  religi.ms  senti- 
ments and  praising  their  missionaries. 

The  British  authorities  at  Detroit  were  by  no  means  friendly 
to  these  Moravian  towns ;  early  in  the  year  1781  they  applied 
to  the  Great  Council  of  the  Six  Nations,  .assembled  at  Niagara, 
to  remove  them  out  of  the  country.     A  message  was  accordingly 
sent  by  the  Iroquois  to  the  Ottuwas  and  Chippewas  to  this  ef- 
fect :  "  We  herewith  make  you  a  present  of  the  Christian  Indians 
to  make  soup  of;"  a  figurative  Indian  expression  equivalent 
to  saying—"  We  deliver  these  people  to  you  to  be  killed."     But 
neither  the  Ottawas  nor  Chippewas  would  receive  the  message, 
which  was  returned  with  the  laconic  reply—"  We  have  no 
cause  for  doing  this."     The  "ame  message  was  next  sent  to  the 
Wyandots,  but  they  at  that  time  were  equally  indisposed  to 
make  war  upon  their  inoffensive  brethren.!    But  in  the  Au- 
tumn of  the  same  year,  under  the  influence  of  M'Kee  and  El- 
liott, who  had  now  become  captains  in  the  ranks  of  the  crown 
connected  with  the  Indian  service  at  Detroit,  and  by  reason  of 
the  more  immediate  persuasions  of  Simon  Girty,  the  blood- 
Ihirsty  refugee  associate  of  M'Kee  and  Elliott,  who  was  living 
among  the  Wyandots,  over  whom  he  had  acquired  great  influ- 
ence, the  poor  Moravians,  with  their  pious  and  self-denying 
ministers,  were  forcibly  removed,  or  rather  compelled,  by  the 
hostile  Indians,  at  the  instigation  of  those  men,  to  remove  to 
Sandusky.     The  leaders  of  the  Wyandots  compelling  this  emi 
gration,  were  Girty,  Half  King,  and  the  celebrated  Captain  Pipe. 
The  sachem-convert,  Glickhickan,  was  also  carried  to  Sandusky ; 
and  a  young  female  relation  of  his,  by  her  courage  and  gene- 


»  Doddridge. 


t  Heckewelder. 


ir82.j 


THE    MORAVIAN    INDIANH. 


219 

.ain  Pipe,  and  rc^nX^^tl't^Tr"""'  ''"^ 
.0  the  captive  missionaries  and  .to-    h'^'  ^     ,  """'  "'" 

»i,d  would  have  put  him  to  d,«ll     ,      r     ,,  *n"i-soug, 

tl.<UIaifKinffi„],isfa™     ,       ',  "  ""'  '""=*«'«  of 

..ninod  b,  his  c;'t:s^;°d  iH^  ;:  ;;::":ir„'::r'°''t''^  ^='- 

-he  „,issio„  of  the  heroic  s„„™  fully  m  d      ''  pC    °"  '" 

stnres  of  corn,  and  three  LIdr -d  „     ,„  °^       '  .'""''  '"'■^ 

...0  harvest.     They  arrived  al tu,,!;  ^  'u.rr.rf'gel: 

er    a  d,^„„ee  of  one  hundred  and  .weLy.fiv    jitfrl^^" 

Islr!::;™'""'"''"'" "'  °"'™"' '» "'-'■  p-  .hoy  i:i 
oJrttiLSs-^'Sfi:™:^  r"  '"^ '-  -^ 

-he  i„„r,,ey  to  Detroit,  Lelli^oit'r  XXScf:; 
was  njcetved.     Bein^  pressed  by  hunifer  at  Sand  ,  J  '''''^''"°' 
.siderable  mtmber  of  the  Moravial      fan,  Jt^  s  L '''  r  T" 
toiilies,  had  been  allowed  to  return  t^TlhlT       T',"'  *""• 
on  .he  Muskingum,  ,o  secure  ZZ     ZtZ!  ^^'"''''''^ 
sons  as  they  could  And,  and  forwar  he  s„l  f"  T^'"" 
...no  to  their  suffering  brethren.    U„  ,„„„  ™  -IT.  """"  •" 
able  party  were  Ihus  engaged  a.  Saie  „  1.  d  O,  2.    V      •""=" 
weather  being  favorableVr  the  opeX"   of  1?!        "'  """ 
few  hostile  Indians  of  Sandusky  W  Zl  1  T  '^  ^  ''""'=''  " 
P..nsylvania  frontier,  and  murd'e^^'  .hotmil'yTfrCil^ 

Wah  treatment  of  the  missioniu-iea;'  '  l-roc«od.ngs,  especidly  th^ 


c::> 
k:;;:? 


c:: 

m 


c 


^M 


«  «* 


rm 


mm 


s 'IP! 


WMii  I- 1 


M! 


M 


i 


820 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1782. 


Wallace,  consisting  of  his  wife  and  five  or  six  children.     A 
man  named  John  Carpenter  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  same 

time. 

Enraged  at  these  outrages,  a  band  of  between  one  and  two 
hundred  men,  from  the  settlements  of  the  Monongahela,  turned 
out  in  quest  of  the  marauders,  thirsting  for  vengeance,  under  tlu! 
command  of  Colonel  David  Williamson.  Each  man  providid 
himself  with  arms,  ammunition,  and  provisions,  and  the  greater 
number  were  mounted.  They  bent  their  course  directly  for  the 
settlements  of  Salem  and  Gnadenhuetten,  arriving  within  a  mile 
of  the  latter  place  at  the  close  of  the  second  day's  march.  Colo- 
nel Gibson,  commanding  at  Pittsburgh,  liaving  heard  of  Wil- 
liamson's expedition,  despatched  messengers  to  apprise  the  In- 
dians of  the  circumstance,  but  they  arrived  too  late. 

It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  March  that  Williamson  and 
his  gang  reached  the  s(>ttlemont  of  Gnadenhuetten,  the  very  day 
on  which  the  Indians,  having  accomplished  their  labors,  were 
bundling  up  their  luggage  for  retracing  their  steps  to  Sandusky. 
Some  of  their  Iu^mber,  liowever,  were  yet  in  the  fields  gathering 
corn,  as  were  many  others  in  the  town  of  Salem,  at  no  great 
distance  thence.  The  party  of  Williamson  divided  themselves 
into  three  detachments,  so  disposed  as  to  approach  the  settle- 
ments from  as  many  different  points  at  once.  The  Indians  had 
indeed  been  apprised  of  Williamson's  approach  by  four  Delaware 
Indians  on  the  day  before  ;  but,  conscious  of  their  own  inno 
cence,  and  least  of  all  anticipating  harm  from  the  Americans, 
they  continued  in  their  pacific  occupations  without  suspicion  of 

danger. 

When  within  a  short  distance  of  the  settlement,  though  yet  in 
the  woods,  the  advance  guard  of  one  of  Williamson's  divisions 
met  a  young  Indian  half-blood,  named  Joseph  Shabosh,  whom 
they  murdered  in  the  most  cruel  and  wanton  manner.  The 
youth  was  catching  horses,  when  he  was  shot  at  and  wounded 
so  badly  that  he  could  not  escape.  He  then  informed  them  who 
he  was;  stated  that  his  father  was  a  white  man  and  a  Christian; 
and  begged  for  his  life.  But  they  regarded  not  his  entreaties. 
His  arm^had  been  broken  by  the  first  shot.  He  was  killed  by  a 
second,  tomahawked  and  scalped,  and  cut  into  pieces  with  the 
jjatchets  of  his  murderers.  Another  Indian  youth,  a  brother-ni- 
law  of  young  Shabosh,  who  was  engaged  in  binding  corn,  about 


1782.J 


THE    MOHAVIAN    INDIANS. 


undeceived.     He  saw  them  shoot  one  of  his  Indi.m   brethren 
who  was  crossintr  the  rivor  in   ^  ,      ^  '*"   i^i<  t'lrca 

Many  of  the  Indians  were  scattered  over  die  fields  •,.  „     r 

™  era':^"bld:  '™'tt  ■;' "-"  «p-™'"X  i  ™  as 

nends  and  brothers,  who  had  eonie  purposely  from  Fort  Pitt 
.0  reheve  them  from  the  distress  brought  tipon  Lm  by  the  e!e 

«  my  on  account  of  thetr  bem„.  friends  to  the  AmeS^^^^^^^^^^ 
Ihe  Indians,  not  doubling  their  sincerity,  gave  cred^cet'^ 

neir  Kindness.      Their    treacherous  visiters   next   persuaded 
them  to  cease  work  and  go  into  the  village  ;  as  it  wasE    'ur 
pose  to  take  them  to  Fort  Pitt,  in  order  to  their  grl^^   sec^^^ 
from  the  Wyandots,  where  they  would  be  abundantly  supplied 
.;ith  all  they  might  want.     Delighted  with  such  an  vLxpec ted 
friendly  visitation  the  Indians  mingled  with  the  strangers  wih 
the  utmost  cordiality,  walking  and  conversing  with  them  l^e 
old  ac,uaintances.     They  delivered  up  their  Trms,  and  Lmn 
with  all  alacrity  to  prepare  food  for  their  refreshment.     M^^ 
.me  a  messenger  wa.  despatched  to  Salem,  « to  inform  the  breth 
"  .a  and  sisters  there  of  what  had  taken  place  at  Gnadenhuetten  ■ 
■the  messenger  giving  it  as  his  opinion  that  perhaps  God  hid 

Sandusky,  and  that  those  people  wer.>  sent  to  relieve  tfcem  » 
Pleased  with  the  communication,  and  yet  unwiHina  to  act 
precipitatcbr,  the  party  at  Salem  deputed  two  of  their  numter  to 
confer  with  their  brethren  and  the  white  men  at  Gnadenhuetten 
Communications    were    interchanged,  which  were   mutn-^Iv 
satisfactory.     The  dissembling  of  Williamson  aiT^  miS 
so  compete  as  to  win  the  entire  confidenceof  the  simple  mild! 
t  eTs'r    ''     '  -'-^^f  on  of  the  party  at  Gnadenhuetten, 
t  lose  at  Salom  came  over  and  joined  their  insidious  visitors    for 
the  purpase  of  removing  to  the  white  settlements,  where  as  'thev 
were  farther  assured,  all  their  wants  would  be  s'upplied  bv  the 
Mo.avian  urcthren  at  Bethlehem.    A  par.y  of  Williamson's  men 


Hit 


mwH 


MNii'.a  « 
Mm-i  -m  m 

i«"  1  ^t 


c:::> 

m 

"•"      f.u 


I! 


i|.  *i  ■» 


!     , 


if 

1 

.-l 

s 

m 

p 

M 

tl 

,ij.'. 

i 

1 

222 


LII'U    OF    HBANT. 


[1782. 


wore  detached  to  Salem  to  assist  in  bringing  all  tlio  Indians  and 
their  etrectsto  Gnadenliuetten  ;  and,  still  farther  t(.  win  npmi  the 
easy  conlidcnce  of  their  victims,  tliis  precious  collection  of  assas- 
sins made  zealous  professions  of  piety,  and  discoursed  to  Mie  In- 
dians, and  among  each  other,  upon  religious  subjects.  On  leav- 
ing Salem,  the  white  men  applied  the  torch  to  the  houses  and 
church  of  the  village,  under  the  pretext  of  depriving  the  hostile 
Indians  of  their  benefit. 

Having,  like  their  brethren  at  Gnadenhuctten,  delivered  up  all 
their  ar^rs,  their  axes,  hatchets,  and  working-tools,  under  the 
stipulation  that  they  were  all  to  be  returned  to  them  at  Pitts- 
burgii,  the  party  from  Salem  set  out  with  light  hearts  to  enjoy  the 
while  man's  kind  protection.  But  on  approaching  the  other 
village,  their  apprehensions  were  awakened,  by  marks  in  the 
sand°as  though  an  Indian  had  recently  been  weltering  there  in 
his  blood.  They,  nevertheless,  proceeded  to  the  village  to  join 
their  brethren  ;  baton  their  arrival  thither  a  sad  change  camo 
over  their  waking  dream  of  happiness.  Instead  of  being  treated 
as  Christian  friends  and  brothers,  they  were  at  once  roughly  de- 
signated as  warriors  and  prisoners ;  and  already,  previous  to  their 
arrival,  had  their  brethren,  sisters,  and  children  at  Gnadenhuet- 
ten,  been  seized  and  confined  for  the  purpose  of  being  put  to 
de-"*'...  rhe  party  from  Salem  were  now  completely  within  the 
toils  of  their  enemies.  They  could  neither  fight  nor  fly.  Be- 
sides that  their  religious  creed  forbad  them  to  do  the  one,  they 
had  no  weapons  of  defence,  and  they  were  surrounded  by  armed 
men,  who  would  not  suffer  them  to  escape. 

As  a  pretext  for  this  usage,  Williamson  and  his  men  now 
charged  them  with  having  stolen  their  horses,  and  all  their  work- 
ing tools  and  furniture— charges  not  only  untrue,  but  known  lo 
be°so  by  their  accusers.  A  more  humble,  devout,  and  exem- 
plary community  of  Christians,  probably,  was  not  at  that  day  to 
be  found  in  the  new  world.  Under  the  untiring  instructions  of 
their  missionaries,  they  had  been  taught  the  dress  and  practices 
of  civilized  life.  They  were  tillers  of  the  soil,  and  had  become 
so  well  acquainted  with  the  usages  of  society,  and  were  so  well 
furnished  with  the  necessaries  and  some  of  the  luxuries  of  life, 
that  they  could  set  a  comfortable  table  and  a  cup  of  coffee  before, 
a  stranger.  All  the  animals  and  articles  charged  upon  them  us 
havin/been  stolen,  wcro  tlicir  own  private  propf-rty;  honestly 


ir82.j 


'llli:    MORAVIAN    INDIANS. 


acquired.     Hut  ihdr  protestations  of  iniioamce,  and  their  cntrca- 

Srtlood''"'''  ""'""■     '^^^''''  ^"''"^"■'  ''^"■'  ^''"'  "J^''"  ''•^'^'^•"ff 
Still,  tJie  officers  were  unwilling  to  take  upon  themselves  the 
exclusive  responsibility  of  piuting  theni  to  death,  and  the  solemn 
farce  ot  a  council  was  held  upon  the  subject.     JJv  this  tribunal 
It  svas  determined  that  the  question  of  life  or  death  should  be 
decided  by  a  vote  of  the  whole  detachment.     The  men  were 
thereupon  paraded,  and  Williamson  put  the  question,  "  whether 
the  Moravian  Indians  should  be  taken  prisoners  to  Pittsbur<.h 
or  put  to  death  V  requesting  all  in  favor  of  saving  their  lives^o 
advance  m  front  of  the  line.     Only  sixteen  or  eighteen  of  the 
whole  number  were  by  this  process  found   to  be  inclined  to 
mercy  and  the  poor   rembling  prisoners  were  immediately  ad- 
monished that  they  must  prepare  to  die.  * 

Some,  indeed,  thure  were  among  the  blood-thirsty  gan^r  eajrer 
to  commence  the  work  of  death  instanter  ;  but  as  the  vietiL 
united  in  begging  a  short  delay  for  their  devotions,  the  request 
was  granted.     «  Then,  asking  pardon  for  whatever  offence  they 
had  given  or  grief  they  had  occ^vsioned  to  each  other,  the  In 
dians  kneeled  d-wn,  offering  prayers  to  God  their  Saviour- 
and  kissing  one  another  under  a  flood  of  tears,  fully  resigned 
o  his  will,  they  sang  praises  unto  Him,  in  the  joyful  hope 
Uiat  they  would  soon  be  relieved  from  all  pains,  and  join  their 
Rr^deemer  in  everlasting  bliss.     During  the  time  of  their  devo 
tions,  the  murderers  were  consulting  on  the  manner  in  which 
they  would  put  them  to  death."     Some  were  for  setting  lire  to 
the  houses,  and  dispatching  them  as  by  an  anto  da  fa;  others 
were  for  killing  them   outright,  and  bearing  their  scalps  as 
trophies  back  to  their  homes ;  while  those  who  had  opposed  the 
execution  yet  protested  against  "the  deep  damnation  of  their 
taking  off,"  and  withdrew.     Impatient  of  delay,  the  blood-thirsty 
wretches  interrupted  the  last  hymn  they  could  sing  in  this 
world,  and  demanded  if  they  were  not  ready  for  death.     They 
were  answered  in  the  affirmative— the  victims  addi:  cr ;  «  That 
''they  had  commended  their  immortal  souls  to  God°  who  had 
^^  given  them  the  assurance  in  their  hearts  that  he  would  receive 
their  souls."     Then  seizing  a  mallet  from  a  cooper's  shop,  one 
01  the  ruffians  commenced  the  work  of  murd.r  by  knockino-  the 
Indians  on  tho  head.     H..ving  killed  fourteen  successively  in 


■7 

i-M 

F  '* 

!    H 

t  ^ 

N    'f 

B  ^ 

1 

.in-'* 

m 

■i 

t 

^■•••^ 

i' 

1 

'V 


r 

K:::f 


1 

P" 


224 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1782. 


i|"l   I 


m 


this  manner,  he  desisted,  and  handinu:  the  weapon  over  to 
another,  remarked— "Go  on  in  the  same  way:  I  think  I  havt- 
done  pretty  well !"  Tliose  who  liad  opposed  the  murder  stood 
at  a  distance,  wringing  tlieir  hands,  and  calling  God  to  witness 
"  that  they  were  innocent  of  tiie  Uves  of  these  harmless  Chris- 
tian Indians." 

The  first  victim  in  the  other  slaughter-house— for  such  both 
in  which  the  Indians  were  confined  became— was  an  aged  Indian 
woman  named    Judith,  a   widow,  of  groat   piety.     In    a  few 
minutes  the  work  of  death  was  completed.     Ninety  Indian.s, 
Christians  and  unarmed— unoffenihng  in  every  respect— were 
murdered  in  cold  blood.     Among  them  were  old  men  and  ma- 
trons, young  men  and  maidens,  raid  infants  at  their  mothers' 
breasts.     Sixty-two  of  the  number  were  grown  persons,  one 
third  of  whom  were  women,  and  the  remaining  thirty-four  were 
children.      Five  of  the  slain  were  assistant  teachers,  two  of 
whom  had  been  exemplary  members  of  the  pious  Brainard's 
congregation  in  New  Jersey.     The  convert  chief,  Isaac  Glick- 
hickan,  was  also  among  the  slain.     Only  two  of  the  captives  es- 
caped this  shocking  massacre.     They  were  both  young.     One 
of  them  ehided  the  murderers  by  creeping  unobserved  into  a 
cellar,  from  whence  he  stole  into  the  woods;  and  the  other, 
having  been  knocked  down  and  sc:dped,  feigned  death,  and  es- 
carxid'after  the  murderers  left  the  place.     This  th<'y  did  not  do, 
however,  until  they  supposed  all  were  dead.     On  completing 
the  work,  they  retired    for  a    short  distance  to  recruit  their 
strenolh  ;  but,  as  though  resolved  that  not  a  living  soul  should 
have*  the   remotest  chance  of  escape,  they  returned  to  take 
another  look  at  the  dead  ;   and  observing  a  youth,  scalped  and 
bloody,  supporting  himself  with  his  fiands  upon  the  floor  in  or- 
der to  rise,  the  monsters  dispatched  him  with  their  hatchets ! 
As  night  drew  on,  they  set  fire  to  the  buildings,  and  thereupon 
departed  for  their  own  homes,  singing  and  yelling  witli  demoniac 
joy  at  the  victory  they  had  achieved.     According  to  the  ac- 
counts of  the  American  newspapers  of  that  day,  this  massacre 
was  a  very  commendable  transaction ;  it  was  represented  that 
the  attack  of  Williamson  was  made  upon  a  body  of  warriors, 
who  had  been  collecting  a  large  quantity  of  provisions  on  the 
Muskingum,  for  supplying  their  own  warriors  and  other  hostile 
savages*   It  was  ststed,  a?,  the  cause  of  their  destruction  liavin? 


1782.] 


CRAWrORD's   CAMPAIGN. 


925 


bonn  so  comploto,  that  they  worn  st.rprisod  and  nttnclcod  in  thrir 

abins  at  night ;  and  it  w,.s  oxnitingly  added,  that  "  abont  eil  tv 

hososfoll   .ntothe  hands  of  the  victors/which  they  lold 

w.th    ho  plunder,  the  greatest  part  furs  and  ska  Jand  n. 

"turned  to  the  Ohio  without  the  loss  of  a  man  •"• 

It  through  the  whole  extent  of  the  volun.inou.  records  of 
savage  wars  in  America,  a  deed  of  darker  treachery,  or  of  detor 
atroe.ty,  than  this  massacre  of  the  Moravian  Ind  ans    s  to  be 
found  .t  tias  thus  far  escaped  the  research  of  the  au   ,;   of  tl  e 
preson    work.      The  uncivilized   and  unchristianized    ava^. 
hemselves  were  amazed  at  the  enormity  of  the  bloody  dee  ^ 
B.U  he  construction  they  put  iipon  the  trLsactioi.,  as  a'pr  v ' 
ontial  occurrence,  was  curious  and  striking.     ThJy  said  thiy 
ad  enved  the  condition  of  their  relation^,  the  boLvin.    n 
d.uns,  and  could  not  bear  to  look  upon  their  happy  and  p^eaco. 
ful  lives  in  contrast  with  their   own   lives  of   p  iva  birrd 
war.     Hence  they  had  ei.deavored  to  tak.  them  from   I "    ovvil 
tranqml  homes,  and  draw  them  back  nUo  heathenism,  tla  they 
m,h^be  reduced  again  to  a  lev u   .ith  themselves.'   i.ut  thi 
Great  Spn..t  would  not  suffer  ..  to  be  so,  and  had  taken  them  to 

After  this  massacre,  the  Ir.dians  at  Sanduskv-,iot  only  those 
who  were  Christian.,  bur  M.e  Wyandots,  and  others  whlwe  e 
hostile,  watched  the  inov..,nents  of  the  whites  along  the  01  « 
With  cease  ess  v.gila.ice.     Two  months  having  e.xp  ed  aA  r 
the  destruction  of  U.e  Moravians,  another  expeditio,rwns  or 
g  nized  to  go  against  the  Wyandots  and  other  Indian  tr     s  in 
the  Sandusky  coi.ntry.     The  number  of  m.n  volunteerinrfo 
he  campaign,  was  four  hundred  and  eighty.     They  we  e  nu 
tei^d  at  the  old  ^J^ngo  towns  on  the  we°ste'n  bank  oVZ      i'  " 
An  election  was  held  for  the  office  of  Commander-in-d.      oi 
Ae  expedition-Colonels  Williamson  and  William  Cr.wLd 
be^ngthe  candidates.     The  choice  devolved  ii^  the    a  "r 
who  wa.  an  unwilling  candidate,  and  accepted  th^posMvi^re! 

ly  propared  fro.  the  accurate  an  J,ab    i    .rck L^. M     7  1^^  '""  '"'"'■ 

t  Hecke>vel<Ipr-Nar.  Moravian  Minions. 


m 

r 


•■i»W'> 
••■<<  '•■ 

>••!  ■'I 
'••|     !- 

HI'      •<* 


,  ,«..r«"« 


I 


s 

,     1-  ;- 

w 

c 

:> 

« 

i 

.  u( 

i: 

i 

!*-■ 

■}          1 

If*"' 

22G 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


'V. 


M*: 


fei 


[i7sa 

luctance.    The  same  men  who  had  murdered  the  Moravians, 
composed  the  present  army  in  part,  and  the  march  was  com- 
menced with  a  determination  that  not  the  hfe  of  an  Indian, 
friend  or  foe,  should  be  spared.    The  expedition  had  been  or- 
ganized with  great  secrecy,  as  it  was  supposed  ;  and  as  the  men 
were  mounted,  tlie  intention  was  by  a  rapid  march  to  fall  upon 
the  Wyandot  towns  by  surprise.     Arriving,  however,  at  the 
Moravian  towns  where  the  murders  had  been  committed,  three 
Indians  were  discovered  by  Crawford,  who  fled  at  a  pace  too 
rapid  to  be  overtaken.     The  pursuit  of  them  was  disorderly, 
and  from  the  conduct  of  his  men  on  that  occasion,  their  com- 
mander lost  confidence  in  them,  and  from  that  moment  en- 
tertained a  presentiment  of  defeat.     So  far  from  the  advance 
of  Crawford  being  a  secret,  it  ultimately  appeared  that  the  In- 
dians had  been  narrowly  watching  his  progress  at  every  step. 
They  saw  the  gathering  at  the  Mingo  towns,  and  counted  then 
numbers.      They  had  also  been  apprised  of  the  resolve  that 
«no  quarter  was  in  any  instance  to  be  given."*     It  was  to  be 
expected,  then,  that  at  some  point  they  would  be  prepared  for 
Crawford's  reception. 

Crawford  and  Williamson  had  intended  first  to  strike  upon 
the  Moravian  town  on  the  Sandusky;  but  on  arriving  at  that 
place,  they  discovered  that  the  Indians  had  seasonably  withdrawn, 

so  that  the  brave  Williamson  had  no  non-combatants  to  vanquisli. 
The  town  was,  in  fact,  covered  with  tall  grass,  the  Indians  hav- 
ing  removed  to  the  Scioto  some  time  before.  Crawford  and 
Williamson  then  directed  their  course  for  several  towns  of  the 
hostile  Indians-by  whom  they  were  unexpectedly  drawn  into 
an  eno-agement  upon  an  open  prairie,  the  Indian  warriors  them- 
selves^ being  concealed  by  the  shrubbery  upon  its  margin. 
Ni-'-ht  came"  on  before  the  battle  was  terminated  ;  and  the  In- 
dians, expecting  a  reinforcement  from  the  ,Shawanese  before 
mornincr,  made  their  dispositions  for  surrounding  the  Americans 
at  dayli^^ht.  But  when  morning  came,  the  white  man  was  not 
there  The  Americans,  indeed,  had  noj  acquitted  themselves 
like  soldiers  during  the  engagement  of  the  preceding  afternoon, 
and  they  availed  themselves  of  the  darkness  to  escape— greatly 
to  the  mortification  of  the  Indians  and  their  daring  leader.  Cap- 
tain Pipe.    They  had  encamped  upon  the  prairie ;  and  so  silent 

*  Dud/Jiiil:;o. 


1782.J 


CRAWFORD   DEFEATED   AND   TAKEN. 


227 


was  the,r  flight,  that  some  of  them,  not  aware  of  the  retreat, 
were  found  by  the  Indians  in  the  morninj.  still  sleeping  amid 
the  tall  praine-grass,  where  they  had  laid  themselves  down 

An  active  pursuit  of  the  fugitives  took  place,  and  many  strao-. 
ghng  parties  were  overtaken  and  cut  to  pieces.  Upward  of\ 
hundred  were  thus  either  killed  outright  o'  taken.    Amona  the 

M'Jr-T  S"J'";^  ^^""'"^  ^^'^''^^^"^^'  ^^'  ^""'  ^"d  Doctor 
M  Knight.     The  former  of  these  gentlemen  had  rendered  him- 

selfparticularly  offensive  to  the  Indians  by  his  successful  cam- 
paigns against  them,  so  that  his  capture  was  a  triumph      It 
was  still  more  unfortunate  for  him  that  he  was  taken  while 
serving  with  such  a  commander  as  Williamson-against  whom, 
for  his  cruel  treachery  at  Gnadenhuetten,  the  savages  were 
cherishing  the  bitterest  feelings  of  revenge.     Crawford,  how 
ever  had  not  been  engaged  in  that  shameful  aflair,  but  beinr. 
found  among  the  same  men  who  had  murdered  their  friends  and 
re  ations  in  March,  the  Indians  could  not  draw  the  distinction, 
riieyhad  anxiously  sought  for  Williamson,  but  on  beino-  in 
formed  that  he  was  among  the  first  to  escape,  they  called  out 
"revenge  !"   "  revenge !"   on  whomsoever  they  had  in  their 

Crawford  would  probably  have  made  good  his  retreat  but  thai 
he  lingered  behind  in  anxiety  for  his  son,  whom  he  supposed 

wi  h  Dr' M'T?' •  Tr;  f-^--deringtwo  daysn;  the  woods 
with  Dr  M'Knight,  both  were  taken  by  a  party  of  Dclawares, 
and  conducted  to  the  Old  Wyandot  town.  He;e  Car.tain  Pip. 
with  his  own  hands,  painted  the  prisoners  black,  a  certain  pre- 
monition of  tlie  doom  that  awaited  them.  From  thence  thev 
were  taken  to  the  New  Wyandot  town,  passing  on  the  way  thi 
mangled  remains  of  a  number  of  their  fellow-captives.    A^  the 

Z  T'";  '""l  ^u"''  "J^P^'"^''  '''  '""^  ^^^'^"^-"  of  Craw! 
ford,  they  foimd  the  noted  Simon  Girty.     It  had  been  decided 

hat  Crawford  should  die  by  the  most  aggravated  torture,  to 

atone  in  some  degree  for  the  murders  by  Williamson  and  his 

men  at  Gnadenhuetten.     After  he  w.xs  bound  to  the  fotal  post, 

the  surviving  Christian  Indians  were  called  upon  to  come  forth 

and  take  vengeance  on  the  prisoner ;  but  they  had  withdrawn 

.tnd  their  savage  relations  stepped  forward  in  their  stead      Bel 

ore  the  work  of  torture  was  commenced.  Captain  Pipe  addressed 

ihe  Indians  at  some  length,  and  in  the  most  earnest  manner   at 


r 


c; 

:i 

3> 

•  ••. 

?•» 

I'-' 

Mi> 

■  1 

WW. 

ttmi'X...  ^ 

r   ■" 


m 


•  ''I  i 


|1 


.  I 


VI 


! 


11'" 

II 


^tm  i 


If,' 


w 


228 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1782. 


llie  close  of  which  they  all  joined  in  a  hideous  yell,  and  pre- 
pared for  the  work  in  hand.  The  fire  was  kindled,  when  it 
occurred  to  poor  Crawford,  that  among  the  sachems  he  had  a 
particular  friend,  named  Wingemund.  "  Where  is  my  friend 
Wingemund '?"  he  asked,  "  I  wish  to  see  him."  It  is  true  that, 
this  chief  had  been  the  warm  friend  of  Colonel  Crawford,  by 
whom  he  had  lieen  entertained  at  his  own  house.  Under  these 
circumstances  Crawford  indulged  a  faint  degree  of  hope,  that  if 
he  could  see  the  chief,  his  life  might  yet  be  saved.  Wingemund 
was  not  far  distant,  having,  in  foct,  retired  from  the  place  of  exe- 
cution, that  he  might  not  behold  what  he  could  not  prevent.  He 
was  sent  for,  however,  and  an  interesting  and  even  affecting 
conversation  ensued  between  himself  and  the  prisoner.  This 
conversation  was  commenced  by  Crawford,  who  asked  the  chief 
if  he  knew  him.  He  replied  that  he  believed  he  did,  and 
asked — "  Are  you  not  Colonel  Crawford  ?"  "  I  am,"  replied  the 
Colonel ;  and  the  conversation  was  thus  continued — the  chief 
discovering  much  agitation  and  embarrassment,  and  ejaculat- 
ing—" So!— Yes  !— Indeed  !" 

"  Colonel  Crawford.  Do  you  not  recollect  the  friendship 
that  always  existed  between  us,  and  that  we  were  always  glad 
to  see  each  otlier  ? 

"  Sachem.  Yes,  I  remember  all  this;  and  that  we  have  often 
drunk  together,  and  that  you  have  been  kind  to  me. 

"  Col.  C.     Then  I  hope  the  same  friendship  still  contmues. 

"  Sachem.  It  would,  of  course,  were  you  where  you  ought 
to  be,  and  not  here. 

"  Col.  C.  And  why  not  here '/  I  hope  you  would  not  desert 
a  friend  in  time  of  need  ;  now  is  the  time  for  you  to  exert  your- 
self in  my  behalf,  as  I  should  do  for  you  were  you  in  my  place. 

"  Sachem.  Colonel  Crawford,  you  have  placed  yourself  in  a 
situation  which  puts  it  out  of  my  power,  and  that  of  others  of 
your  friends,  to  do  any  thing  for  you. 

*'  Col.  C.    How  so,  Captain  Wingemund  ? 

"  Sachem.  By  joining  yourself  to  thi^t  execrable  man,  Wil- 
liamson, and  his  party.  The  man  who,  but  the  other  day,  mur- 
dered such  a  number  of  the  Moravian  Indians,  knowing  them  to 
be  friends ;  knowing  that  he  ran  no  risk  in  murdering  a  people 
who  would  not  fight,  and  whose  only  business  was  praying. 
•    "  Col.  C     But,  I  assure  vou,  Winareraund.  that  had  I  been 


229 


1782.]    c,.«Poa,y,  IKTERVEW  w,™  wmo^M^r,. 

this  kind.        '^  ^'' '""'  ""  S«^  »'™.  "probate  acts  of 

w.  no  faith  ,0  bo  placed  "ILT.  ^H  .e  mj,  °,^"Z*"° 

fair  proin  ses  wero  n^  Iv  i^f  .  i  j         ,,  "  '  "''^'  ^^eir 

.acre  easily  LT™        ,    "T       .'"  """"''  ">"'  "'"y  ""K'"  >h» 
ItilW  thosaM„r.:.;.'     '      "  ''''™'™!"»*™»  before  tl.ey 

iial™.»™i,,V™,r„T„'°»h'"^°"  ^'""'^  ""•=•     ^'-"Wl 
".ittin,  freli,  mX'  °"'  "'*  """  '»  ?—  «">  from  com- 

tel,"t":::-    '""  '"^  '"''-^  ^-"^  "»•  W-e,were,  to 
''  Co;,  a    And  why  would  they  not  behove  it^ 

.oprt^d^;r.rz^r  "^"°"'°^^°"  ^"- 
«t":pty':z  defe^u- n;r :  r  r  -  -.^ 

wilh^'me,''-     ''^"''  ™''"°"'     ^ha.  Jo  they  intend  to   do 
™r  wa,„or..  ball,,,  to,,,  ,„u»,w  that  no.  ,.  h:a  i:' mS- 


c;:> 


I'"'  *  1 


U  .1  .      >   « 


>■    'S 


.    ■ 

liittr 

'  ■  -     ( 

!          ■  , 

t      '  „ 

230 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1782. 


1  ., 

■t 

< 

t? 

MB 

;,  ^ 

■J 

If'  -  * 


ans  to  deal  with,  but  men  who  could  fight,  and  with  such  he  did 
not  wish  to  have  any  thing  to  do  ;  1  say,  as  he  has  escaped,  and 
they  have  taken  you,  they  will  take  revenge  on  you  in  his  stead. 

"  6V.  C.  And  is  there  no  possibility  of  preventing  iliis  ? 
Can  you  devise  no  way  to  get  me  off?  You  shall,  my  friend, 
be  well  rewarded,  if  you  are  instrumental  in  saving  my  life. 

"  Sachem.  Had  Williamson  been  taken  with  you,  I  and 
some  friends,  by  making  use  of  what  you  have  told  me,  might, 
perhaps,  have  succeeded  in  saving  you  ;  but  as  the  matter  now 
stands,  no  man  would  dare  to  interfere  in  your  behalf.  The 
King  of  England  himself,  were  he  to  come  to  this  spot  with  all 
his  wealth  and  treasure,  could  not  eftect  this  purpose.  The 
blood  of  the  innocent  Moravians,  more  than  half  of  them  wo- 
men and  children,  cruelly  and  wantonly  murdered,  calls  aloud  for 
revenge.  The  relatives  of  the  slain,  who  are  among  us,  cry  out 
and  stand  ready  for  revenge.  The  Shawanese,  our  grand-chil- 
dren, have  asked  for  your  fellow-prisoner ;  on  him  they  will 
take  revenge.  All  the  nations  connected  with  us  cry  out,  re- 
venge !  revenge  !  The  Moravians,  whom  you  went  to  destroy, 
having  fled  instead  of  avenging  their  brethren,  the  ofTence  has 
become  national,  and  the  nation  itself  is  bound  to  take  revenge. 

"  Col.  C.  My  fate  is  then  fixed,  and  I  must  prepare  to  meet 
death  in  its  worst  form. 

"  Sachem.  Yes,  Colonel.  I  am  sorry  for  it,  but  I  cannot  do 
any  thing  for  you.  Had  you  attended  to  the  Indian  principle, 
that  good  and  evil  cannot  dwell  together  in  the  same  heart,  so  a 
good  man  ought  not  to  go  into  evil  company,  you  would  not  have 
been  in  this  lamentable  situation.  -You  see  now,  when  it  is  too 
late,  after  Williamson  has  deserted  you,  what  a  bad  man  he 
must  be.  Nothing  now  remains  for  yot:  but  to  meet  your  fate 
like  a  brave  man.  Farewell,  Colonel  Crawford  !  They  arc 
r,oniii)g.     I  will  retire  to  a  solitary  spot."* 

On  turning  away  from  his  friend,  whom  it  was  not  in  his 
power  to  fissist,  it  is  said  the  old  Sachem  was  affected  to  tears, 
and  could  never  afterward  speak  of  the  incident  without  deep 
emotion.  The  moment  the  chief  had  left  the  Colonel,  a  num- 
ber of  the  executioners  rushed  upon  him,  and  commenced  the 
work  of  torture,  which  was  in  progress  three  hours  before  the 


♦  Heckewelder'a  Indian  Nations. 


'ifm^ji  «l 


1782.J 


EXECUTION   OP   CRAWFORD. 


231 


victim  fell  upon  his  face  and  expirod  ^v.i(h  a  ^rroon.    During  the 
proceedings  onanist  hnn,  he  was  continuanv  and  bUtevut 
braided  for  the  conduct  of  the  white  men  at  Gnadenhuet^on      K 
n     himself  a  participator  in  that  atrocious  afiair.  they  reproach- 
ed him  or  having  now  come  against  them  with  the  3,  hd 
of  murderers    such  as   even   Indians  had  not  anion^  them 
Indians,"  said  they   «  kil,  their  enemies,  but  not  their  ^frie£" 
When  once  they  have  stretched  forth  their  hand,  and  l^fen 
that  endearing  name,  they  do  not  Kill.     IKu  how  vas  it^wi  h 
"the  believing  Indians  on  the  Muskingum?     You  professed 
friendship  for  them.     You  hailed  and  welcomed  tlTem  L  t "h 
You  protested  theyshoHd  receive  no  harm  from  you.  A  d  whai 
did  you  afterward  to  ...em  7     They  neither  ran  from  yon  no 
fired  a  single  shot  on  your  approach.     And  yet  you  calkd  hem 

ZZ^IXd'^'T""""'^"^'''-     ^''^^you^v^L™" 
riors  pray  to  God,  and  smg  praises  to  him,  as  they  did  ^     Could 

not  the  shrieks  and  cries  of  the  innocent  little  Children  ex"  te 
you  to  pity,  aiid  to  save  their  lives  7     No  !  you  did  not !     You 
would  have  the  Indians  believe  you  «re  Christians,  because 
you  have  the  Great  Book  among  you,  and  yet  vou 'are  rnur 
derers  m  your  hearts!    Never  would  the  mik-lieVing  Indians 
have  done  what  you  did,  although  the  Groat  Spirit  has  not  pu 
"his  Book  into  their  hands  as  into  yours!     The  Gre.   W 
;;  taught  you  to  read  al,  that  he  wantll  you  to  do   an    wh!" 
forbade  that  you  should  do.     These  Indians  believed  ^rthat 
they  were  told  was  in  that  Book,  .md.  believing,  strove  to    c 
accordingly.     We  knew  you  belter  than  they  dW.     We  offen 
warned  themto  bew  .re  of  you  and  your  pretended  friendship 
but  they  would  not  believe  ns.     They  believed  nothin.  bfu 
"good  of  you,  and  for  this  they  paid  with  their  lives  »» 
It  was,  mdeed,  most  unhappy  for  Colonel  Crawford,  that  he 

•  Heckewrlder's  Narralive  of  tl.o  Moravian  Mi«si„„..     ..There  w„,  farther  „ 
circumstance  much  agn  nst  this  unfortiinntH  m..n    „.i ;  i  ,  "  ^ 

highdegree.    It  was  Sported  that  n    i:   jVo'rf,  ^  """""^^  '»  « 

on  examining  a  camp  which  Cr..wford  nn,     V  1      ,Z    luT  T"'"''"^' 

had  found  on  rreos  peeled  for  the  purpo        1.   17  J  '  T'  °    "'!  '""''' 

mineral  substance. -'A-o  nuarters  I  blliJ,   *^"'-  '^  ^''"t'c"  w.lh  coal  and  other 
Md.'    When  the  ln,Jinn,R!V       '".'.'"'""  '"  "»  ''"'""'.  ^"^er  ma»,wo,nan,  or 

one  to  read  or  interpret  them.'  Such  Sl^lt^^Z^u:::'^^^"'  """' 
lion  was  sufficient  to  enrage  thcm."-/,/„«.  '       "        ''  ""^  "'*=  '"'"'P' 


'•Bi:;;;  J; 


'^I1M,1«,    " 


r 

•  a  H 

■rtt). 

•  f  ■* 

c; 

:; 

ttu  '. 

:) 

ft:: 

J' 

?«• 

J 

c:.::> 

m 

^"  'it 


1  . 


i^'  '  H 


a- 

-1'^ 

. 

1 

i  m  1 

■       f^!-           I 

232 


LIFF,    OP   BRANT. 


[irs2. 


)"! 


'     \i 


:..-% 


had  been  captured  in  such  company ;  but  never  were  reproach 
es  more  righteously  heaped  upon  the  heads  of  the  guilty  than 
on  this  occasion.  Never  was  the  scorpion  lasii  of  satire  more 
justly  inflicted— could  but  the  really  guilty  have  been  there  to  feci 
its  withering  rebuke.  The  son  of  Colonel  Crawford,  himself 
doomed  to  the  same  fate,  was  present  with  Dr.  Knight,  and 
obliged  to  behold  the  torture,  and  listen  to  the  agonising  ejacu- 
lations of  l)is  parent,  without  being  able  to  render  assistance  or 
offer  a  word  of  consolation.*  The  sufferings  of  the  son  follow- 
ed close  upon  those  of  the  fiither  ;  but  with  Dr.  Knight  it  was 
otherwise.  He  was  reservetl  for  sacrifice  by  the  Shawaneso, 
and  while  on  his  way  thither  contrived  to  escape,  and,  after 
twenty-one  days  of  hardship  and  hunger  in  the  wilderness,  sue 
ceeded  in  gaining  Fort  M'Intosh. 

The  defeat  of  Colonel  Boon  at  the  Blue  Licks  in  August,  the 
massacre  of  the  Moravian  Indians,  and  the  ftite  of  Crawford  and 
his  expedhion,  are  the  last  tales  of  blood  connected  with  the 
American  Revolution.  It  is  true  that  in  September  following, 
a  large  body  of  Indians  laid  siege  to  the  fort  at  Wheeling,  but 
the  sieaie  was  raised  without  farther  bloodshed  than  the  death  of 
one  man  in  the  fort  and  of  three  or  four  without.  A  barn  was 
burnt  at  Rice's  fort,  which  was  also  invested,  but  not  seriously, 
and  the  Indians  withdrew  to  their  own  wilds.  Should  the  de- 
tails of  the  last  few  pages  be  considered  rather  too  ample  for  the 
general  plan  of  the  present  work,  it  must  be  remembered  that 
the  awarding  of  justice  to  the  Indian  character  also  eniered 
largely  intu  its  design.  The  transaction  ou  the  Muskingum 
forms  one  of  the  darkest  pages  in  the  records  of  civilized  war ; 
unsurpassed,  certainly,  if  not  unparalleled,  in  the  history,  writ- 
ten or  unwritten,  of  the  whole  aboriginal  race.  The  victims 
were  not  only  innocent  and  harmless,  but,  obedient  to  the  pre- 
cepts of  their  religion,  offered  no  resistance  to  their  hypocritical 
murderers,  and  poured  out  their  blood  like  water— crimson  liba- 
tions in  sacrifice  to  the  white  man's  rapacity  and  hate.  Nor  can 
the  Indians  be  censured  for  the  fate  of  Crawford. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Indian  details  in  the  present  chap- 
ter, the  year  1782  passed  away  without  furnishing  any  militaiy 

♦  Withrj-g'a  Chronicles,  quotuil  l)y  Diake  in  \m  Book  uf  ihe  Indian'^.  Dr.  Ram- 
say says  il  wns  Colonel  Crawford's  son-ia-law  who  was  present,  and  subsoquontly 
underwent  ilie  same  fate. 


1783.] 


SUBSIDING   op    HOHTILITIKS. 


:Aii3 


operations  of  moment,  under  ,I,„  Unuwdiui.  direction  of  the  re 
spective  Commanders-in-chior     Kii-r-...,/.    ,      "-'"""'""' r^^- 

.n  U,e  ^.iflc  vo,e  of  .he  Ho„.  „,■  ^jZZIZ^l  i  °    :T:;,'; 
pa«  of  the  presem  d,„p,e,  j  whil.  .ho  eondi  i„„  „,  «,e  Ime  , 
n,„  army,  had  Woshin^.o,,  ,,„„  „„,„„,,.,,  dispoLd  dtb  ed 

»,..h;  ,„K,  Sir  G„y  ca.e,„;;t.'r;;;fr  'theTffir:  i-! 

Majesty  m  the  north  to  send  out  no  mmv,  Tn  r  "'''''^^^«\  "'-^ 
a..a  u,  ,.eca„  ,h„»e  already  „„  Ir  S        .t  hS  ^1 

i....d  „,igh.  produce  rthat  of  H  ^^''v^^rr  "  "="=" 
.|.io.y,.heCo,™„„deM„.hief,,l„,,,,'';,„,  ::;-:f^«^^^^^ 

i..  .1.0  ™.h  of  ,.™„ary,  ir.s3::;„„!;y;'r  :, ::  ;7°;;^ 

♦I,    ;         .    .i  ^-"ujiusnig  ftnu  Obtain  mjr  Dossession  nf 

the  nnportant  fortress  of  Oswol^o     It  w/««  » i,n         i'^^^^^s.on  ot 

pos.  Which  ,ave. ho  B„i.h  .u^eh  Jl^Sr^^; 
mm  tJie  feix  Nations  on  the  one  hnnA    ,.«,!  r  ■     *      s 

.otiey  battalions  down  upon  lo7L::^!l^::^'Z 
the  Commander-in-chief  judged  wisHv  that  .  "  T  '  . 
another  campaign  the  posLsIon  of  tllat'^tls  "Id  ^Zl^l 
first  consequence  to  the  Americans,  heinif  then  one  nf   h  ! 

formidable  military  defences  on  the  Conthiont  ""''' 

Having  determined  to  attempt  itN  capture  by  surprise  theevp 
cution  of  the  project  was  confided  to  (ilond  Willed    'wfhT 
utmost  secrecy  therefore,  as  to  destination  the  trnln  "  f^ 
mand  were  suddenly  assembled  at  C  H^H^^^^^^^^ 
of  February.     Commencing  th-^ir  m  .  i  v     '''^'^'^'^^'^ 

nightof  thJgth  rey™::d  t  ^O  Sl^ 
Oswego  P.j,..fe..u.  only  from  tf^X^::L:!i 
P.  M.  on  the  followmg  day.     With  the  small  force  under  hi, 
ommand,  and  without  the  means  of  pro«ocuting  aLZ'iwZ 
of  course  necessary  to  carrjrtho  work«  by  escalade  1  'J  7 


ft-'  • ' 


VOL.  11 


«*        ?  ■ 

m 


f  V 


W'i  ■] 


r; 


II 


i  1' 


ii 


^34 


LIFE   OF   nnANT. 


[1783. 


Halting,  therefore,  at  the  Falls,  the  necessary  ladders  were  con- 
structed aid  the  march  was  resumed.     At  10  o'clock  in  the 
evening  they  were  within  four  miles  of  the  fort.     After  which, 
having°marched  ahout  two  hours,  and  not  coming  in  sight  of  the 
point  of  desthiation,  an  investigation  of  the  cause  was  under- 
taken, when,  to  the  astonishment  and  mortification  of  the  Com- 
mander, and  to  tiie  vexation  of  the  whole  corps,  it  was  ascer- 
tained  that,  by  diverging  from  tlie  river,  their  guide,  a  young 
Oneida  Indian,  had  lost  his  way.     The  situation  was,  mdecd, 
awkward  and  perplexing.     They  had  been  at  one  time  nearly 
within  speaking  distance  of  the  works,  and  the  shout  of  victory 
was  almost  raised  in  anticipation,  when  suddenly  ihoy  discover- 
ed that  they  were  lost  in  u  deep  forest,  in  the  depth  of  winter, 
and  amid  mountains  of  snow.     It  was  too  late  to  prosecute  the 
enterprise  any  farther  thai  night      They  could  not  remain  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  fortress  over  the  ensuing  day  without  being 
discovered.     And  the  instructions  of  the.Comniander-in-chiel 
were  peremptory,  that  if  they  failed  in  surprising  the  Ibrt,  the 
attempt  would  be  unwarrantable.  The  only  alternative,  therefore, 
was  to  relinquish  the  enterprise,  and  reluctantly  retrace  their 
steps.     It  was  a  sad  mistake  of  the  poor  Indian,  but  not  an  error 
of  design.     The  march  had  been  one  of  great  severity  and 
fatigue."  The  guide  had  led  them  into  a  swamp,  and  while  they 
wer^e  standing  still,  after  discovering  themselves  to  be  lost,  so  cold 
was  the  weather,  that  the  feet  of  some  of  the  men  froze  into  the 
mire.   The  return  march  was  even  more  painful  still,  because  oi 
the  lameness  of  some  and  the  varied  sufferings  of  others.  One  man 
was  frozen  to  death.     But  all  happened  well  in  the  end,  for  on 
Colonel  Willett's  return  to  Fort  Rensselaer,  and  thence  to  Albany, 
he  arrived  at  the  ancient  Dutch  capital  just  in  season  to  hear  the 
welcome  news  of  peace  proclaimed  by  the  Town  Clerk  at  the  City 
Hall,  and  to  mingle  his  rejoicings  with  those  of  the  inhabitants. 
An  agreement  for  the  cessation  of  hostilities  between  the 
United  States  and  Great  Britain  was  signed  by  the  respective 
cominission«^rs  of  the  two  powers  on  the  20th  of  January,  upon 
the  basis  of  the  articles  stipulated  in  Paris  on  the  30th  of  the 
preceding  November.     And  on  the  24th  of  March,  a  letter  was 
received  from  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  announcing  a  general 
peace.    On  the  11  th  of  April  Congress  issued  its  proclamation, 
declaving  the  cessation  of  arms  by  sea  and  land. 


I 


1783.J 


CT^OSE    OF    THt:    WAIt. 


235 


In  regard  to  the  foil.irc  of  Colonol  Willolt's  h.st  oxix-dition 
no  possible  censure  was  imputable  to  Imn.  In  replv  to"  the  Co- 
lonel s  othc.al  account  of  the  alluir,  General  ^V^ushin.r,on  u^roto 
a  characteristic  letter,  approving  of  his  condu..-t,  aiKfconsohnff 
hmi  for  his  disappointment.     «  Unfortunate  as  the  circumstance 

''Lf'nnr™'^'T'''''^'"'^'"^^-'Wiu  the  persuasion 

hat  no  mputation  or  reflection  can  justly  reach  your  charac- 

•  cr;  and  that  you  are  enabled  to  derive  much  consolation 

■f.om  the  animated  zeal,  fortitude,  and  activity  of  the  officers 

and  soldiers  who  accompanied  you.     The  failure,  it  seems, 

"m.st  be  .--ribnted  to  some  of  those  unaccountable  events 

•  jhich  are  not  within  the  control  of  human  means,  and  which, 

.<ui,h   hey  often  occur  in  military  life,  yet  require,  not  oni; 

•  the  fortitude  of  the  soldier,  but  the  calm  reflection  of  the  plnlo^ 
sopher  to  bear.     I  cannot  omit  exj.ressing  to  you  the  hi..h 

•  sense  I  entertain  of  your  j^ersevering  exertions  and  zeal  on  this 
expedition;  and  bog  you  to  accept  my  warm  thanks  on  the 
occas.oii;  and  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  communicate  my 
gratitude  to  the  officers  and  men  who  acted  under  your  com 

"  inaiid,  for  the  share  they  had  in  tliat  service." 

Thus  ends  the  liistory  of  the  border  wars  of  the  American 
Rovolution-the  principal  theatres  of  which  were  in  the  dis- 
tricts north  and  west  of  Albany.     The  vale  of  the  Mohawk-  in- 
chiding  Its  intersecting  valley  of  tlie  Schoharie-kill,  was  amoi.c 
the  most  thickly  populated  and  wealthy  agricultural  districts  ol" 
the  country  at  the  commencement  of  the  war.     Tlie  produc. 
tiveness  of  its  soil,  and  the  riches  of  its  people,  rendered  it  ever 
an  inviting  object  of  plunder  to  the  enemy- ^.specially  to  the 
savages,  and  the  swarms  of  refugees  who  had  fled  from  the 
country,  and  were  sharing  a  precarious  livelihood  amon^r  the 
Indian  wig-wams  and  in  the  wilds  of  Canada.     Its  geocrraohi- 
cal  position,  moreover,  rendered  it  the  most  easily  assailable  of 
any  well-peopled  section  of  the  ^.hole  Union  ;  while  at  the  same 
ime  the  larger  armies  of  the  enemy  ^vere  employed  elsewhere, 

11  Tr  ''^"^'''^  '^'  ^''''''''  P"^^^°«  °f  the  physica 
strength  of  the  country  elsewhere  to  oppose  them.  The  conse- 
quence of  these,  and  other  circumstances  that  might  be  enu- 
inerated  was,  that  no  other  section  or  district  of  country  in  the 
United  States,  of  the  like  extent,  suffered  in  any  comparable  de- 
grec  as  much  irom  the  war  of  the  Revolution  as  did  that  of  the 


•IB!..,  „  ..J  •i,.B.-iIH     'i 


ftrnt-mf 

1  I™ 


H«MS» 

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c:,:;:i> 
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236 


LIFK   OF    nUANT. 


[1783. 


Moliawk.     It  was  the  most  ficiiucntly  invaded  and  overrun; 
and  that,  too,  by  an  enemy  far  more  barbarous  than  the  native 
barbarians  of  the  forest.     Month  after  montii,  for  seven'  \oxv^ 
years,  were  its  towns  and  viUa-.!S,  ii     iunnbler  settU^nents  ;uid 
isolated  habitations,  fallen  upon  by  an  untiring  and  relc^ull...ss 
.>nemy,  until,  at  the  close  of  the  contest,  the  appearance  of  U., 
whole  district  was  that  of  wide-spread,  lieart-sickcninir,  and  iiui- 
vorsal  desolation.    In  no  other  section  of  the  conledoracy  were 
so  many  campaigns  performed,  so  many  battles  fougbt,so  many 
dwellings  burnt,  or  so  many  murders  committed.     And  tlioso 
who  woTO  left  at  the  return  of  peace,  were  literally  a  people 
«  scattered  and  peeled."    It  was  the  computation,  two  years  be- 
fore the  close  of  tiie  war,  that  one  third  of  the  population  had 
<rone  over  to  the  enemy,  and  that  one  third  had  been  drivon 
from  the  country,  or  slain  in  i)attle  and  by  private  assassination. 
And  yet     mong  the  inhabita.>ts  of  the  other  remaining  third,  in 
June  1783,  it  was  stated,  at  a  public  meeting  held  at  Fort  Plain, 
that  there  were  three  hundred  widows  and  two  thousand  orphan 
children      But  with  the  news  of  peace  the  dispersed  population 
beo-an  to  return  to  the  sites  of  'heir  former  homes.*     Their  houses 
were  rebuilt,  and  their  farms  once  more  brought  mto  cultivation ; 
while  diflerent  and   not  less  enterprising  occupants,  deriving 
their  titles  from  the  state,  took  possession  of  the  confiscated 
Imds  of  those  who  had  adhered  to  the  cause  of  the  crown. 
The  spirit  of  industry  and  enterprise,  so  characteristic  of  the 
American  people,  was  not  long  in  imparting  a  new  aspect  to  the 
scene  •  and  Tryon  County,  exchanging  her  name  for  that  ot  the 
patriot  Montgomery,  soon  smiled  through  her  tears. 
^  Other  scenes  and  other  wars  will  afford  materials  for  the  e- 
mainin<r  chapters  of  the  present  volumes,  as  connected  with  the 
subsequent  life  and  career  of  Joseph  Brant-Thavendane. 

OEA. 

*  Alnn.  with  the  returning  patriots,  as  Satan  was  wont  in  the  olden  time  occa- 
•  nl  to"  Present  h  if  in  better  company,  some  of  the  Tories  began  to  stea 
['Tk  nto  th  CO  nt™  they  had  forsaUen,  and  assisted  to  drench  in  tears  of 
W  t  Bat  the  Whi/popuLion  would  not  endure  their  presence.  The  preced.ng 
narlve  o  even"ha:  shown  th«t  M  Tryon  County  loyalists  wo  had  taken  arjns 
narrative      ev  revengeful  and  bloody  than  were  the 

^rrlVsS      .    I       n  'I-l,  therefore,  thai  a  feeling  of  peculiar  bit.rncss 
Indjans  themselves  ^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^  suffered  so  keenly  atthe.r  hand. 

tCS:  w^' ll.odied  and  de-l^red  at  two  public  m.eti,.s  l.ld  .n  d.fferen. 
^e^rno  Tryon  County,  in  June.  1783 ;  for  which,  see  Appendix,  No.  V. 


a. 

:  il 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

States-Vievva  of  W„«hii,on  nnd  Q,,,  '  t ,,  t  ^''""  r''''^, "'".''"'  ^'"''^^ 
lions  at  Fort  Slanivix-Con'Milant.  r  an  J  m.  I  I„I^  ^^"7  "'"^^  """'  ""^  ^ix  Na- 
v-t ,  the  Six  Nutions-Dis«a,i  S"  on'^tkl J  ns  o f  Tl''''°''""f  ^''^'—P^nce 
tlcnnr-LetfrofBrnnttoColon-l  MonrnnlR/  L        ?    T 'T"'^""''?'''' '"  Paf 

Bon-I3rant  sails  f„r  England  „  ^1,,.  ^  ?n7«t"'H'°''  ^^ '"' ^'^  J"!'"  5ohn. 
I.I.S  ulterior  desij-ns-Hls  .listi,,.,,  slitl  r  n,  "^"^A^-^'^  urrival-Ghinpses  of 
hi«  rnission-LSter  to  Lo  i  sK-L.^^cf  ^  "^^^c!.''^  ''•"'"'^««  °'" 

Lord  Sidney  in  r,.ply-Q.,o.s,ion„-f  iMSZL^LaJs  L^t^f  ^"'"7-L';t-r  of 
-His  associations  with  the  crrpnt— Knn.,  =ar  "^ '°  ^''' ^^»"  ^t-l'-'ari 

incident  ata  grand  ma8n„erad"e^L„t''l\;"r"^  T"  "  ""blenian-Strikin.r 
I'le-Hia  return  to  Canada  '  ^""""''" '"  "'*'  '"°"^1  ^^n'^  of  his  pco" 

VMsZS"\^r'"l''-'  ^^^^'  ^•^^^-in.^Poace  between  the 
U,iited  S  ates  and  Great  Britain,  and  recognising,  t{,e  uncondi 
tioiial  nidependence  of  the  former,  was  such  as  to  gratify  everv 
reasonable  wtsh  of  the  American  people.  In  regard  to  qlS 
of  boundary  and  the  fisheries,  it  was,  indeed,  more  libe  aTZn 
her  aH,s  France  and  Spain,  desired.  Professedly,  France 
hud  drawn  the  sword  ,n  behalf  of  the  Umted  States'^'  bu  the 
negotta  lons  for  peace  presented  tt»e  singular  fact,  tha  but  for 
he  diplomacy  of  the  former,  the  treat?  of  peac  would  Imvl 
been  sooner  completed.     The  negotiation  was'a  work  o  Lnca 

le  part  of  the  American  commissioners-qualities  which  their 
CSS  proved  them  to  possess  in  on  eminent  degree.    J  u 
IT    /"'"'"T"^  treaty  was  first  definitively  ^n.J^'' 

ss  than  two  months  elapsed  before  preliminary  articles  o  peace' 
were  agreed  upon  and  signed  between  Great  Britain,  Fran      and 
Spam;  France  having  the  satisfaction  of  soc.ing  h  r  g^t  nv,! 
dismembered  of  the  fairest  portion  of  her  Ameri tfn  l! 
2;,  .  sh.  he.elf  had  been^  by  that  very^otX^t;;:: 

In  the  treaty  with  the  United  States,  however.  Great  Britain 
''=;;  n^ade  no  stipulation  in   behalf  of  her  Indian  Xs      Not 
withstandinir  the  alorrity  uM'th  ..-hi'-h  tb^  -!  f 

tn.>  Mr>K  ,  1  ■     I    ,     "    •  ^^  i'boriginals,  espec  aiiv 

fie  Mohawks,  had  entered  the  service  of  the  croW-notwith^ 


T"" 

7P, 

«  ' 

k    :■ 

H 

». 

W     ' 

< 

M 

11 

1 

H  '' 

f 

ff   1 

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-if* 

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—  ■    -M 

c:; 

ip 

,.,:> 

1^" 

1      ■ 

!^" 

lit 

« 


i^l] 


I 


Wj. 


li 


M 


'»S8 


LIFE  OP  urant. 


[1784. 


i  'ill 


standing  tlioir  constnnnv,  tlioir  valor,  tlio  roarlinoss  with  winch 
tiioy  h;ul  spilt  th.rir  Moud,  and  tlKMlistiii-iuslu-d  services  ol  their 
Great  (^.iptaiii,  Tliaveiidun.^ir,.;,,  the  loyal  rod  man  was  not  oven 
iianicd  ill  the  treaty;  while  "the  ancient  country  of  the  Six 
'•Nations,  the  residence  of  their  ancestors  from  the  time  tar  Ic- 
"  yond  their  earliest  traditions,  was  included  within  thehouiid:.- 
..  ry  .n-anted  to  the  Americans."*     What  with  the  descent  of  Co- 
lonefvan  Sc.u  ick  upon  the  Onondagas,  and  the  experhtion  of 
General  Sullivai.  into  their  territory  farther  west,  then- whole 
country  had  been  ravaged  with  fire  and  sword  ;  and  tlu;  Mo- 
hawks, in  particular,  had  sacrificed  the  (entire  of  their  own   rich 
and  beautiful  country.     It  appears,  however,  that  when  the  Mo- 
hawks first  abandoned  their  native  valley  to  embark  ni  his  Ma- 
jesty's service.  Sir  GuyCarleton  had  given  a  pledge,  that  as 
soon  as  the  war  was  at  an  end  they  should  bo  restored,  at  the  ex- 
pensc  of  the  crovernment,  to  the  condition  they  were  m  before 
the  contest  began.     In  April,  1779,  General  Halditnand,  then 
Captain  General  and  Commander-in-chief  in  Canada,  ratihed 
the  promise  of  his  predecessor,  pledging  himself,  under  hand  and 
seal,  OS  fiir  as  in  him  lay,  to  its  faithful  execution  "as  soon  as 
that  happy  time  should  come."t 

At  the  close  of  the  war  the  Mohawks  were  temporarily  re>.irh.ng 
on  the  American  side  of  the  Niagara  river,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  old 
landincr-place  above  the  fort.      The  Senecas,  who  had  been  in 
closer  alliance  with  the  Mohawks  during  the  war  than  any  other 
of  the  Six  Nations,  and  who  had  themseives  been  chiefly  induceil 
by  the  former  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  United  States, 
offered  them  a  tract  of  land  in  the  valley  of  the  Genesee.     But,  as 
Captain  Brant  long  afterwiu-d  said  in  one  of  his  speeches,  the 
Mohawks  were  determined  "  to  sink  or  swim"  with  the  EuGrhsh; 
and  besides,  they  did  not  wish  to  reside  within  the  boundaries  of 
the  United  States.     The  generous  otler  of  the  Senecas  was 
therefore  declined,  and  the  Mohawk  Chief  proceeded  to  Mon- 
treal to  confer  with  the  Superintendent  General  of  Indian  At*:urs, 
Sir  John  Johnson,  and  from  thence  to  Quebec,  to  claim  from  Ge- 
neral Haldimand,  the  Commander-in-chief,  the  fulfilment  of  his 
pledge.    The  General  received  the  warrior  with  great  kindness, 

.  MS.  memorial  of  the  Six  Nations,  presented  to  Lord  Camden  by  Teyonin- 
hi.kiirawcn,  cni.iMK.iily  call,  d  Jol-.n  N"rUni. 
t  MS.  order  of  Qoneral  Hnldimnnd,  among  the  Brant  papers. 


'   •  ««|4M  «     rt 


oi 


1784.] 


NKW   COUNTRY   OF   THE   MOIIAWKS. 


239 


and  cvmced  every  disposition  ,o  f„ini  ,ho  plod^o  in  thr  most 
houorahle  u.anner.  The  .n.ct  „pon  winch  ho  d.ief  had  S 
h^<U^n^n..ssinKUedupon.he,^.ydea^^ 
.dc  of  the  bt.  Lawrence,  or  rather  of  Lulco  Ontario  ;  and  at  his 
request  General  ihtldin.and  agreed  that  it  should  be  pure  m  id 
and  conveyed  to  the  Mohawks  P'licnasta 

On  the  return   of  Thayendanegeo  to  Niai,.-a,  the  Sonec.s 

were  disaj,pon.ted  «t  the  arran,emer  t,  .ul  ,..:,  d  at  th     I^ 

a    he.    ..ends  were  to  he  located  at  s   wide      distant  f^^ 

Un  dS^  ?^"""  "^'^'''^'""^'^^  ^'''-^^^  '■  '  troubles  with  the 
IM  Sta  es  were  not  yet  at  an  end  ;  and  were,  therefo,  •,  ex- 
ed  ngly  desirous  that  the  Mohawks  should  reside  so  neartsfo 
as  .  themn.  arn.  if  necessary,  or  afford  them  an  asyhnn  sho.  i 
hey  be  obhged  to  flee  from  the  oppression  of  the  United  S  a  es 
Under  these  c.rcumstances  Captain  IJrant  convened  a  coun      of 

Xo'  r'  ''T  --^-^^'-tho  should  make  a  s" c  nj 
V  II  to  Quebec,  and,  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the 
case,  request  another  and  more  convenient  territory.     The  coun 
trynpon  the  Ouise,  or  Grand  River,  flowing  into  Lake  Er^" 
^^ulTT''   :^-^''^"-^  Niagara,  was  indicate.?  to 

fo  m  t  '      "?  " '"'*'^''^"  '""''y  ''^y  convenient,  not  only 

for  mamtannng  a  ready  mtercourse  with  the  residue  of  the  Six 
Nations,  but  a  so  as  affording  facilities  for   corresponding  wi^h 
ho  nations  and  tribes  of  the  upper  lakes.     His  Excellency  ap 
P  oved  of  the  suggestion,  and  promptly  ordered  a  second  ^.r- 
chase  to  be  made  m  conformity  with  the  request.     On  inqui  in<. 
he  extent  of  the  territory  expected  by  the  Mohawks,  the  CaiS 
am  replied,  "  Six  miles  on  each  side  of  the  river,  from  he  month 
to  Its  source."     With  assurances  that  the  granl  should  iX 
mally  secured  in  fee,  in  due  season,  the  chief  returned  once 
moie  to  Niagara,  and  shortly  afterward  entered  into  pos.session 
of  the  lands  allotted  for  the  new  home  of  his  people  * 

In  tne  Autumn  of  1784,  having  learned  that  General  ITaldi- 

mand  was  about  returning  to  England,  the  vigilant  chief  repaired 

ureof  tb'  't-H   1  T  T"  ^''^  business,  in  order  to  make 

grant  by  Sir  Frederick  Haldimand,  in  the  name  of  the  crown, 

papers.  '  '■  ■"   " ^''^'^  '=  P^crved  among  the  Brant 


r 

c: :? 

'1.    If 


H  . 


240 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1784. 


?.•' 


1      I 


*l. 


of  a  trnct  of  iund  "  upon  the  banks  of  tlie  river  Oiiise,  coannonly 
"  called  Grand  lliver,  running  into  Lake  Erie,  of  six  miles 
"  breadth  from  each  side  of  the  river,  Ijeginning  at  I^ake  Eric, 
"  and  extending  in  that  proportion  to  the  head  of  said  river ; 
"  which  the  Moliawks,  and  others  of  the  Six  Nations  who  hail 
"  cither  lost  their  possessions  in  the  war,  or  wished  to  retire  from 
"them  to  the  British,  with  their  posterity,  were  to  enjoy  for- 
«ever."*  The  course  of  the  river  Ouise  is  about  one  hundred 
miles,  so  that  the  grant  embraced  a  territory  of  that  extent  in 
length  by  twelve  miles  in  width.  "  This  tract,  thougii  nmcli 
"  smaller  than  that  which  they  had  been  obliged  to  forsake  with- 
« in  the  United  States,  amply  satisfied  these  loyal  Indians,  who 
"  preferred  living  under  the  protection  of  His  Britannic  Majesty, 
"(ready  to  fight  under  his  standard  again,  if  occasion  should  re- 
"  quire,)  to  a  more  extensive  country."!  The  district  of  coun- 
try thus  granted,  is  said  to  be  alike  beautiful  and  fertile.  The 
Grand  River  rises  in  the  interior  of  the  country  toward  Lake 
Huron,  and  winds  its  way  to  Lake  Erie  through  a  long  and  pic- 
turesque course.  It  is  navigable  for  small  vessels  many  miles 
upward,  and  for  large  boats  a  much  greater  distance  still.  The 
land  along  its  whole  course  is  uncommonly  productive. 

The  policy  to  be  observed  by  the  United  States  toward  the 
Indians  residing  withm  their  borders,  was  a  question  of  grave 
and  veighty  importance,  and  early  arrested  the  consideration  of 
American  statesmen.  Very  soon  ■  fter  the  English  came  into 
possession  of  the  Colony  of  New- York,  the  Six  Nations  relin- 
quished their  own  primitive  ri^ht  of  absolute  sovereignty,  and 
placed  themselves  and  their  lands  under  the  protection  of  the 
government  of  New-York,t  reservitig  to  themselves  a  kind  of 
qualified  sovereig'^ty.  The  immediate  object  of  this  act,  on  the 
part  of  the  Indians,  was  to  secure  the  alliance  of  the  Englisli  in 
their  wars  with  the  French,  and  the  Huron  and  Algonquin  In- 
dians in  Canada..  Subsequently,  during  the  Colonial  adminis- 
tration, the  Indians  were  considered  iis  separate  but  dependent 
nations.ll  Aside  from  t'  '  i  circumstance,  however,  by  the  treaty 
of  peace  th.^  sovereignty  of  p!1  the  Indian  countries  within  tlio 


♦  Copy  of  the  Grant,  among  the  Brant  papers, 
f  Norton's  Memorial  to  Lord  Camden, 
t  Rent's  Commentaries,  vo;-  iii.  p.  392 
II  Kent's  Commentaries. 


§  Colden's  Canada. 


17S4.J         INDIAN    POLICY   OF   THE    UNITED   STATES.  241 

prescribed  limits  granted  to  the  United  States  by  Great  Britain 
ocarne  vested  in  the  former,  to  the  same  extent,  cf  course,  as  i; 
had  been  exercised  by  Great  Britain.     With  that  sovereignty 
nioreover,  the  exchisive  rioht  of  pre-emption  to  all  the  Indian 
lauds  lying  withm  tne  territory  of  the  United  States  also  became 
vested  m  them-snbject  to  the  possessory  right  only  of  the  na- 
tives.*    These  rights  had  been  acquired  by  England  by  disco- 
very wiich,  under  the  practice  of  the  Europe.m  nations,  was 
licid  to  be  equivalent  to  conquest;  and  although  tlie  natives 
^vere  admitted  to  possess  a  just  and  legal  claim,  as  the  original 
occupants  of  the  soil,  to  retain  and  use  it  according  to  their  own 
discretion,  sti     they  were  not  allowed  to  dispose  of  the  soil  at 
tlieir  own  will,  except  to  the  government  claiming  the  rioht  ol 
pre-emption.t     Such  was  the  practice  of  Spain,  Fr.mce,  Holland, 
and  England  ;  and  as  early  as  1782,  Mr.  Jay,  then  the  Americm 
Minister  at  the  Court  of  Madrid,  in  his  coi^pondence  w 
Count  d'An:nda,  asserted  the  adoption  of  the  same  principle  o^ 
the  part  of  the  United  States..^     But  while  the  right  of    ove 
reignty,  as  it  had  been  exercised  by  England,  passedOver  to  tlie 
United  States  by  virtue  of  the  treaty,  under  the  complicated  sys- 
tem of  the  confederacy,  the  pre-emptive  right  to  the  soil  becamo 
vested  in  the  respective    States  within  wiiose  boundaries  or 
grants  they  were  situated-the  States  themselves  being  so  many 
sovereign  powers  in  all  matters  of  national  import  which  had 
not  been  specially  conceded  to  the  Government  of  the  Union 
under  the  Articles  of  Confederation.  ' 

The  treatment  of  the  Six  Nations  by  the  Dutch  Colonial  Go 
vernment  had  been  kind  and  liberal.    So,  also,  had  it  been  under" 
the  Colonial  Government  of  England-the  Indians,  ,n  no  in- 
s  ance,  being  dispossessed  of  a  rood  of  ground,  except  by  pur^ 
chase.    Immediately  on  the  conclusion  of  the  war   however 
England  having  made  no  stipulation  in  behalf  of  the  Indians' 
a  disposition  was  manifested  by  the  Legislature  of  New- York  to 
e-xpel  the  Six  Nations  from  all  the  country  within  the  bounds 
0     hat  ^ate,  which  had  not  been  ceded  by  them  previous^  t 
war      This  disposition,  which  seems,  likewise,  to  have  been  en- 
tertained to  some  extent  in  other  states,  was  viewed  with  great 

♦  Kent's  CotTiim-ntario.a,  vol.  i.  n.  257  i  tj  ,  ••• 

!  Lif.,  and  Writings  of  iolm  Jay.  ^  "'"''  '"'•  '"•  P"  '''■ 

§  Letter  of  Washington  to  James  Duane,  Sept.  7,  1783. 


an 


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Ik  H  <     -^ 'tf 

I'"' 


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'     ■ 

»->-■" 

■    •»> 

1              f  ' 

242 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


[1784 


ir  i 


at 


concern  by  Generals  Washington  and  Schuyler,  <vho  united  in 
the  opinion  tliat  such  a  lin  3  of  policy  would  be  alike  injudicious, 
inhuman,  and  unjust.     General  Schuyler  addressed  a  memorial 
to  Congress  upon  the  subject  in  July.    Coinciding  entirely  in 
the  sentiments  of  Schuyler,  Washington  followed  up  that  com- 
munication by  a  long  letter  to  James  Duane,  then  in  Congress, 
h:  September.     The  views  of  these  gentlemen  were,  that  the 
m'-  t  liberal  and  humane  policy  should  be  adopted  in  respect  to 
the  Indians.     True,  they  Imd  taken  up  the  hatchet  in  favor  of 
the  crown,  and  by  a  rigid  construction  of  the  laws  of  conquest, 
they  might  be  dispossessed  of  their  lands,  and  driven,  with  their 
allies,  north  beyond  the  lakes.     But  General  Washington  strong 
ly  urged,  that  while  the  Indians  should  be  informed  of  the  strict 
right'jf  the  United  States  to  deal  thus  severely  with  them,  and 
compel  them  to  share  the  same  evil   fortune  with  those  whom 
they  had  chosen  for  their  allies,  nevertheless,  looking  upon  them 
as  a  people  who  had  been  deluded  into  the  service  of  the  crown, 
they  should  be  allowed  honorable  terms  of  peace,  and  to  retain 
the  possession  of  lands  and  hunting  grounds,  to  be  designated 
by  treaty,  within  the  boundaries  of  which   they  .should  not 
be  molested.     It  w;vs  the  desire  of  Washington,  that  widi  regard 
to  these  children  of  the  forest,  a  veil  should  be  drawn  over  the 
past,  and  that  they  should  be  taught  that  their  true  interest  and 
safety  must  henceforward  depend  upon  the  cultivation  of  amica- 
ble relations  with  the  United  States.     In  regard  to  the  Six  Na- 
tions   he  thought  the  course  wliich  the  Legislature  of  New- 
York  seemed  desirous  of  pursuing  would  involve  the  country 
in  another  Indian  war,  since  the  Indians  would  never  surrender 
their  whole  territory  without  anotlicr  struggle;  while  he  justly 
held  that  all  the  territory  that  was  actually  wanted  by  the  peo- 
r.ie  of  the  United  States  might  be  obtained  by  negotiation  and 
comproraise.     As  a  general  principle,  moreover,  it  was  held 
that,  in  all  time  to  come,  it  would  be  much  cheaper  to  obtain 
cessions  of  land  from  the  Indians,  from  time  to  time,  as  they 
should  be  required  for  the  extension  of  settlements,  by  purchase, 
than  to  acquire  them  by  conquest— to  say  nothing  of  the  sutTer- 
jncrs,  the  evils,  and  the  guilt  of  war.     Upon  this  whole 'subject 
of'indian  policy  there  was  an  entire  coincidence  of  opinion  be- 
tween Washington  and  Schuyler.     Most  happily  it  prevailed , 
nnd  the  subsequent  cession  by  the  states  of  their  Indian  lands 


:L':ii 


\M 


1784.] 


TREATY   AT   FORT   STANWIX. 


243 


to  (ho  gonoral  frovornmoiit,  facilitated  tho  benevolent  action  of 
the  l.-ittor  nmhv  that  system;  the  wisdom  of  which,  irrespective, 
of  Its  justice  uiid  hunmnity,  has  become  every  year  more  appa- 
rent since. 

It  was  whilo  tho  Mohawk  chief  was  occupied  in  maldn<r  his 
final  arran-(.mnnts  with  the  Canadian  Commander  in-chi'f,  a.3 
has  becMi  seen  a  ^aw  pages  back,  that  the  sachems  and  wainors 
of  the  Six  Nations  were  holding  a  treaty  with  the  United  States 
at  Fort  Stanwix.     At  this  negotiation,  the  Mohawks,  OnonJa- 
gas,  Senecds,  Onoidas,  Cayiigas,  Tuscaroras,  and  Sencca-AbcaP 
nations  were  represented.     I'he  Commissioners  on  the  part  of 
the  United  States  were  Oliver  Wolcott,  Itichard  Butler,  and 
Arthur  Lee.     I^hc  records  of  this  treaty,  containing  the  speeches 
jntcrchanged  on  tho  occasion,  seem  not  to  have  been  preserved, 
as  has  been  usual  in  diplomatic  matters  with  tho  Indians.     No' 
thing  appears  upon  the  subject  among  the  Indian  state-papers 
at  the  seat  of  Government,  save  the  naked  result  of  the  council, 
in  the  form  of  a  very  brief  treaty,  signed  by  the  nations  repre 
sentcd  inst'.Mid  of  the  several  chiefs.     It  is  known,  however, 
that  among  tho  loading  chiefs  who  took  an  active  part  in  the 
negotiations,  wore  the  Corn-planter  and  Red  Jacket ;  and  enough 
is  to  be  gath(!r(!(i  from  the  records  of  subsequent  transactions  with 
the  Indians,  to  afford  a  general  idea  of  the  course  of  tl-ose  pro- 
ceedings,    nnyond  doubt  the  representatives  of  the  Six  Nations 
at  that  council  were  opposed  to  a  separate  negotiation  with  the 
United  States.     Their  desir,,   was,  that  no  definitive  treaty  of 
peace  and  boundaries  should  be  concluded,  unless  the  whole 
ground  was  covered  at  once  ;  and,  as  a  consequence,  they  strenu- 
ously urged  that  tho  Hurons,  Ottawas,  Shawanese,  Chippuwas, 
Delawares,  Pottawattamies,  the  Wabash  Confederates,  and  the 
Cherokees,  should  be  represented,  in  order  that  tlie  whole  ques- 
tion of  boundaries,  on  all  the  Indian  borders,  might  be  deter- 
mined.t    IJiit  the  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States  would  listen  to  no  such  delay.     The  Six  Nations,  as 
such,  had  taken  up  the  hatchet  in  favor  of  the  crown,  and  it 
was  determined  to  punish  them  by  a  dismemberment  of  their 
territory.     Red  Jacket,  a  somewhat  younger  chief  than  the 

♦  Tlw  dnn  of  (111)  Si-nPOBH  rnniding  with  the  Com-planier  an  the  Alleghany, 
f  p!,,,p,.i,  ,,f  ,1,;.  nmir<\  !ruli;in  nnfions  at  a  coiifedciule  council,  holden  at  the 
mwith  of  «m  IMroil  ilivcr,  November  and  December,  1796. 


Is*;  ^) 

■  !«'      .    f 


,  *» 


^  i 


i  ii 


„.t^  ; 


i   )>'l 


1 


.44 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1784, 


i . 


W«''i 


Corn-planter,  was  opposed  to  a  burial  of  the  hatchet,  and  spolce 
with  groat  eloquence  and  vehemence  in  favor  of  a  continuance 
of  the  war  by  the  Indians  on  their  own  account.  "  His  speech 
"  was  a  masterpiece,  and  every  warrior  who  heard  him  was 
"carried  away  with  his  eloquence."*  The  Corn-planter  was  a 
wiser  man  than  his  junior  associate.  He  saw  the  folly  of  a  war 
to  be  waged  by  the  Indians  single-handed  against  the  United 
States,  and  he  exerted  himself  with  all  his  power  in  favor  of 
peace.  He  saw  that  the  only  alternative  of  his  people  was  the 
relinquishment  of  a  portion  of  their  territory  by  compromise,  or 
the  loss  of  the  whole  by  force.  His  efforts  were  in  the  end  suc- 
cessful, and  on  the  22d  of  October  a  treaty  was  signed,  by  which 
the  United  States  gave  peace  to  the  Mohawks,  Scnecas,  Onon- 
dagas,  and  Cayugas — the  four  hostile  nations  of  the  confederacy 
— and  received  them  under  their  protection  on  condition  tliat 
all  the  prisoners,  white  and  black,  in  the  possession  of  the  said 
nations,  should  be  delivered  up  ;  the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras 
were  secured  in  the  possession  of  the  lands  then  in  their  occu- 
pation ;  the  Six  Nations  at  the  same  time  relinquishing  all  claims 
to  the  country  west  of  a  line  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Oyonwayea  Creek,  flowing  into  Lake  Ontario  four  miles  east  of 
Niagara ;  thence  southerly,  but  preserving  a  line  four  miles  east 
of  the  carrying  path,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Tehoseroron,  or  Buf- 
falo Creek;  thence  to  the  north  boundary  of  Pennsylvania; 
thence  west  to  the  end  of  tliat  boundary ;  and  thence  south 
along  the  Pennsylvania  line,  to  the  river  Ohio.  All  the  Six 
Nations  were  to  be  secured  in  the  possession  of  the  lands  they 
were  then  occupying ;  and  six  hostages  were  to  be  delivered  to 
the  United  States,  to  remain  in  their  possession  until  all  the 
prisoners,  whose  liberation  was  stipulated,  should  be  surrender- 
ed by  the  Indians.!    There  was  likewise  a  stipulation  that  the 


♦  Drake,  who  translates  from  Levnsseur's  Lafayette  in  America.  The  Mnrqnis 
de  Lafayette  was*  present  at  the  treaty,  and,  when  visited  by  Ri'd  Jacket  at  Buffalo, 
during  his  tour  through  the  United  States  in  1824— 25,  the  General  was  reminded  l.y 
thevenerablechiefof  the  circumstance  of  their  former  meeting  at  FortStanwix.  This 
is  the  earliest  account  given  of  the  eloquence  of  the  man  of  the  woods  who  afterward 
became  so  renowned  for  his  oratoiy. 

t  Vide  tlie  treaty  itself,  Amcrioan  State  Papers,  Indian  Affnirs,  vol.  L  Originally 
the  Five  Nations  claimed  "  all  the  land  not  sold  to  the  English,  from  the  mouth  of 
Sore!  River,  on  the  south  siH?  cf  L.-sUrs  F.rin  nv.d  Ontsrin,  on  both  sides  of  the  Ohio 
tmtil  it  falls  into  the  Mississippi ;  and  on  the  north  side  of  those  lakes,  that  whole 


•rmwitii 


'•mi: 


l«tU>'l' 


1784.]         nissATisPACTioN  with  the  treaty.  245 

Indians  sJK.u)d  deliver  up  certain  persons  of  their  own  people 
who  were  cons.dered  very  .rent  offenders,  to  be  tr:ed  bv  the 
mil  laws  of  the  United  States.     Two  persons  were  n  renio    d 

tin  I  r  1    f  "'°"'  '"'  '''  '"^''""^  "^^™d  corn; lunet 
hat,  mstcad  of  ben.g^ned  accordir.g  to  law,  they  were  wrested 

from  the  hands  of  the  ,r.u,W.tra,e  by  so.ne  of  the  lowes  of  ^.e 
white  people,  and  immediately  p,u  to  death  * 

The  result  of  this  negotiation  ^rayn  ^nrat  dissatisfaction  to  the 

ndians  generally;  and  the  crafty  Ued  .Jacket  afterward   vaied 

hansel  ol  the  advantages  of  his  position,  in  stealin-Mll  h  art. 

chief  Ihayendanegea,  wuh  hkcwise  highly  dis,.lcased  with  the 
conditions  of  the  treaty,  the  more  so,  doid.tlL,  t  on  he  eu^ 
stance  that  Captam  Aaron  Hill,  a  subordinate  chief  of  t  Mo- 
hawk naUon,  was  detained  as  one   of  the  hostages  under  the 

Seber     H    h  'r'  '',  "'^,  ''''''''''^''  ^^-  «'^  ^'-^  - 
H  11^       !      "^  completed  his  business  with  Sir  Frederick 
Haldu.and,  and  was  on  the  point  of  embarking  for  EnW^'id  to 
adjust  the  claims  of  his  nation  upon  the  crown  for  thd  lair^ 
fices  during  the  war.     The  design  of  going  abroad  was  imme 
chately  relinquished  for  that  s-eason,  and  (Ivptain  Brant  Cn- 
ed  back  to  his  own  country,  to  look  after  the  welfare  of  hrown 
peop  e  at  W.     He  arrived  at  Caturaqui  on  the  27th  o    No 
vember  and  two  days  afterward  addressed  a  long  letter  to  Colonel 
James  Monroe  t  in  which,  after  expressing  a  wish  that  the  lei 
may  find  the  Colonel  in  health,  and  tlianldng  him  for  son      e 
cent  personal  civilities,  he  says— 

"I  was  at  Quebec,  getting  ready  to  set  off  fiom  thence  foi 

England  (you  know  my  business  there  perfectly  uell.)  Tbom 

h.  same  time  I  received  an  account  that  our  chief,  Cupt.  Aaron 

Hill,,  wa.  detained,  and  kept  as  a  prisoner  at  Fort  Stanwix  by 

_^  J^Speech  of  Big  Tree.  Corn-planter.  n„d  U„,,Town.  to  President  Washington, 

not  appear  how  he  was  connected  with  thn  Fort  Slanwix  treaty 

HHl  IJ'     r'"  ""'"r  rr^'"*  ^'"^  •''"  •"■"•"'y  "•"  Tlmvondane,ea.     Aaron  Henry 
Hill  married  one  of  his  daii<.I.frr«  nnW  i-  ..„.!•..„  ^f  .  -  r     »  •    n  '?  ^ 

..-terward.  in  hi,  co^cspond^nce  ..U.  Tii;:.a;M;2:E.;':     "  '""'  '''''"  ''"'' 


C-1 


c:-> 


„4;^ 


■■<>■  i 


LIFE   OF    BnANT. 


[UU. 


the  commissioners  of  Congress,  and  understood  that  hf^  was  tu 
be  kept  until  all  the  American  prisoners  retiiriK.d  to  their  own 
places,  from  the  different  nations  of  Indians,  who  are  still  remain- 
ing amongst  them.  When  I  irceived  this  disagreeah'e  iiew=^,  I 
iintncdiately  declined  going  any  farthtir  from  thci  c.  It  did  alarin 
me  very  mvich  of  hearing  this,  because  it  was  mo  tint  en- 
couraged thai  cluef  ^o  come  and  attend  that  meeting  at  Fort 
Stanwix. 

'•'  I  ii.evar  did  expect  liMit  it  should  be  the  cause  of  detaining 
chiefs  in  i!>c  matter ;  hr  I  thought  the  affair  was  too  far  gane  to 
liappen  any  such  t!ungs.  The  Congress  have  past  their  words 
to  us  that  they  wish,  to  be  friends  with  all  the  Indians ;  and  we 
likewise  did  the  same  to  them.  However,  suppose  the  com- 
missioners of  Congress  did  find  it  necessary  for  them  to  detain 
some  ot  liie  chiefs,  I  should  have  thought  they  could  reasonably 
have  excused  our  chief,  and  let  him  gone,  and  kept  other  rigiit 
'persons,  who  ought  to  be  detained,  because  we  are  clear  from 
keepin"-  prisoners  since  peo.ce.  As  soon  as  the  word  came,  peace, 
we  let  all  our  prisoners  go,  except  one  or  two  children  whicb 
could  not  help  themselves.  Captain  Aaron  Hill  had  no  con- 
veniences to  take  with  him  when  h".  went  to  Fort  Stanwix.  We 
also  all  along  advised  the  other  tribes  of  Indians,  since  peace, 
tiiat  the  prisoners  should  go  to  their  homes  ;  and  have  during 
the  war  always  favored  the  prisoners,  especially  women  and 
children ;  and  likewise  did  push  the  matter  forward  since,  to 
promote  peace,  and  to  renew  the  friendship  with  you  again  as 
we  formerly  had,  in  honestly  manner.  We  mean  to  go  through 
with  it  and  be  done  with  it,  that  every  body  should  mind  their 
own  business  and  be  happy.  This  is  our  customs  and  manners 
of  the  Mohocks,  whenever  engaged  any  thing.  They  are  ail- 
wp.ys  active  and  true ;— no  double  faces  at  war,  or  any  <  ii  r 
business.  All  this  makes  me  think  the  commissioners  slv  ; ' 
consider  this,  and  our  -f  should  [have]  gone  b  3.  we 
have  been  a  generous  (  ly  to  you  during  the  wo  ..nC  \rtry 
active  in  forwarding  the  matters  of  settling  peace  Wi  i,  "ou  all 
last  Summer.  I  believe  the  conmiissioners  must  have  ^iti-i;  s|)ite 
against  the  I^Iohocks  of  using  them  so,  through  the  advKf  o' 
Priest  Kertland  and  the  Oneidas,  and  he  did  likewise  ever  t  'he 
Senckas,  who  were  our  friends.  He  tried  all  he  could  thai  .../ 
should  themselves  be  against  tiie  Mohocks ;  all  this  I  am  well 


m 


i^^^  nis   LETTER  TO  COLONRL  MONROE.  247 

a  last  presented  ot  Leconiuiir  ^r„o,l  IViends  with  you  If  it 
shou  d  be  the  case,  the  foult  .hull  not  he  ours,  which  I  hie  vou 
wi  I  find  so  It  would  relieve  mo  umuy  poiuts  if  you  would  be 
so  kmd  as  to  answer  me  this  letter,  us  /hr  us  you  wih  unZ  t.nd 

conceimng  this  Icmd  of  complaint  ofmino,  let  it  be  what  it  will 
because  wiaatever  n.ust  be  done  its  „o  hel^  for  it,  it  m  'st  e  o' 
f  I  could  see  you,  and  talk  with  you,  I  could  explain  my  e  f  bc^: 
ter  than  a  letter  half  English  half  Indian.  You  remember  I  toll 
you  that  I  sho.ld  be  happy  to  be  present  if  any  rune  ^ef 
yours  should  be  held  in  the  Spring  ;  I  mean  about  the  Indian 
j^airs ;  and  I  wanted  to  see  you  in  New  Jersies  if  ,  had"  ^ 
But,  my  dear  sir,  I  begin  to  be  backward  nbout  going  the  e  ^ce 
my  chief  is  detained.  Perhaps  I  should  be  served  tlie  ^2oZa 
be  kept  from  my  different  sweetf.oarts,  which  would  be  "oo  h"d 

.1:  J  "     !  '"■'  ''"»  ^"^^"  ^^"'  d^'P'-'-  '™  from  Z. 
ing  the  pleasure  to  see  you,  and  attending  your  council  in  the 

Spnng-except  the  affairs  change  in  dm;,ent  footinl  But 
beheveme  this,  let  the  affairs  turn  on,  what  it  will,  Kshou M 
be  always  vei^^  happy  to  see  you.  I  shall  winter  h;re,  my  e  f 
and  family  ;  early  m  the  Spring  1  shall  leave  this,  and  go  to  mv 
new  country  at  Grand  River.  ^  ^ 

"I  am  your  well-wisher, 
"And  humblo  servant, 

"JOS.  imANT,or 
«  To  Col.  James  Monroe-  " Thavendanegea.* 

What  effect  was  produced  by  this  lottor,  or  how  just  were  the 
complaints  set  forth  therein,  is  not  known  ;  but  the  probability  is, 
that  the  difficulty  in  regard  to  the  detttntion  of  Hill  was  satis 
factorily  adjusted.  In  aiay  event,  ( V.ptuin  Brant  accomplished 
his  purpose  of  visiting  England  at  the  close  of  the  year  follow- 
mg,  (178o.)    Before  his  embarkation,  however,  he  seems  to  liave 

fh*7'r  ^^:  f  'I'''  I"""'  P™"'"'"'  "'""""  "'"  l'"'"'^'"  "•'C"Pl.  Brant,  is  probahly 
thfir^t  rough  draft.  It  was  evidon.ly  wri.,,.,.  i„  «r,.nt  l„..,e,  on.J  ihe  auihor  has 
made  a  very  fe.vv  correcfons  whore  tl,e  or.orN  «.„„„.,|  drarly  to  ho  the  ..ffect  of  care- 
lessness. Otherwise,  .t6tan.:>  s  .t  w,3  written,  C« plain  Brant  imnrnved  in  hi- 
hnglisii  composition  very  much  ami  vcy  rapidly  in  uCtcr  yturs. 


"iwrn  It 


jf—" 

vtMt 

'■.M 

>M  m 

k:: 

:i 

,1*' 

irfH' 

:> 


r 


.-  >  h 


i'  'Ml 
i 


.  '  ft 


:l\ 


t     1 


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■■^'v*'-'    ■     * 


.     -^ 


,4.« 

'..i 

',» 

:.♦ 

.  'f 

*  - 

1  f », 

f 

248 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1785 


■.  Sl'''t 


4 

* 

u 

■ 

{  '.  > 

i 

formnd  a  plan  somewhat  analogous  to  that  entertained,  and  in 
part  accomplished,  twenty  years  before,  by  Pontiac — that  ofcom- 
binin<j  all  the  gr^'at  north-western  Indian  nations  into  a  siii;,do 
grand  confederacy,  of  which  he  Wius  to  be  chief. ,  In  furthoraace 
of  this  design,  he  visited  the  country  of  the  upper  lakes,  and  held 
councils  with  the  nations.  It  is  not  known  whether,  like  Pon- 
tiac, h(!  mi'ditated  war  upon  the  United  States,  unless  in  the 
event  of  being  attacked.  Still,  he  could  not  but  look  upon  hos- 
tilities, in  the  event  of  the  formation  of  his  confederacy,  as  more 
than  probable.  Ostensibly,  his  visit  to  England  was  undertaken 
for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  the  claims  of  the  loyal  Mohawks 
upon  the  crown,  for  indemniiication  of  their  lossfs  and  sacrifices 
m  the  contest  from  which  they  had  recently  emerged.  And 
such,  probal^ly,  was  the  sole  design  of  the  visit,  when  originally 
projected,  the  preceding  year.  But  the  dissatisfaction  existing 
in  reo-ard  to  the  treatv  of  Fort  Stanwix,  and  other  indications 
among  the  Indians,  had  probably  increased  the  objects  of  his 
mission.  At  all  events,  it  soon  appeared  that,  coupled  with  the 
special  busmess  of  the  Indian  claims,  was  the  design  of  sound- 
ing the  British  government,  touching  the  degree  of  countenance 
or  the  amount  of  assistance  which  he  might  expect  from  that 
quarter,  in  the  event  of  a  general  Indian  war  against  the  United 
States. 

Sir  John  Johnson,  who  visited  England  immediately  after  the 
war,  had  returned  to  Canada  during  the  Summer  of  1785.  He 
seems  likewise  to  have  been  charged  with  the  claims  of  the  Mo- 
hawks, but  accomplished  nothing  to  their  satisfaction.  Still,  he 
was  opposed  to  the  mission  of  Captain  Brant,  and  wrote  on  the 
6th  of  November,  strongly  dissuading  him  from  undertaking 
the  voyage.  Sir  John  thought  the  claims  in  question  might  be 
adjusted  to  mutual  satisfoctiou  before  the  lapse  of  another  year; 
and  he  hinted  to  his  friend  that  his  own  interest  required 
his  attention  at  home.  "I  need  not,  I  am  sure,"  said  the 
Baronet,  "  endeavor  by  many  words,  to  ponit  out  to  yon  the 
"  critical  situation  of  your  own  affliirs  ;  I  mean  those  of  your 
"confederacy  ;  and  how  much  the  aid  of  every  man  of  weight 
"  and  influence  among  you  is  wanting  at  present,  to  guard 
<•  against  the  designs  of  your  enemies,  who,  by  calling  meetings 
"  at  this  time  in  every  quarter,  meiin  to  spare  no  pains  to  divide 
"  and  separate  your  interests,  thereby  to  lessen  your  consequence 


1785.J 


SECOND    VISIT    TO   ENGLAND. 


249 


:- r#  •"' " "—  •"*  '-!■■  •<■•■  .■". — , 

"  witli  Colonel  De  Peistor  nf  fh  ^ "'/"^*'"^'^'  ^nd  after  dining 
"  personacre  il  sTid  tn  1  ^  ^^  London.     This  extraordinary 

"bo  by  them  apptllf  dlte'  t^^^^^^^^^^^^      :""'  ^  -^^ 
"the  vmr  whiVh  fK„,  ^uuunci  ana  chiet  command  m 

"  "Irfca     He  tonl^"^"',  ""'^'^''^  '''""'"^  ^^^«  United  States  of 
"tir^s  mb^  hrnt  ^"T"'.'  '"^'  ^"-^'^"^  imniediately  as 

"1   much  to  ^y7      ■       ^T'  ''^^''''^''-     This  country 

"nation"  '  ^  ''  '""^"''^^'^  '-^"^^^^^  to  the  British 

What  particular  Indian  council  is  referred  to  in  the  preceding, 
qu  tation,  ,s  unknown.  Most  likely  it  v.as  connected  with  thf 
ambaious  project  of  Thayendanegea  already  indicated  Tnd  t  is 
moreover  very  likely  that  the  discontents  If  the  north  wes„' 
Indians,  chiefly  m  relation  toquestions  of  boundaryrwhilh  ulS 
mately  produced  the  war  of  1789-'95-mav,  even  thus  ear  ' 

Ison  ,  ' ;,  '''""!  '  ""  '  ^""''^^  ^"  ^he  letter  of  Sir  John 
Johnson,  already  quoted,  .at  that  gentleman  had  pr^viouslv 
lx.nsoundmg  the  go-^ernment  on  the  sam^  question     "Wh 


VOL. 11 


*  MS.  Letter  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  amons  the  Brant  papers. 


'■•es;:;: 


k:;  :/ 
""J  ■'I 


...mill 

*  > 


■•MM  •  llMt4»>l»4 


!» 


t-  * 


^  i 


r  1 


a^ 


250 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[irsf.. 


recrard  to  the  assistance  required  or  cxijccted  in  case  of  war," 
said  the  Baronet  in  the  letter  referred  to,  «  T  f»-=nk  I  explained 
that  to  you  also,  and  shall  more  fully  wiieu  i  bee  you." 

The  reception  of  the  distinguished  Mohawk  in  the  British 
capital  wu-i  all  that  the  proudest  forest  king,  not  unacquainted 
with  civilized  life,  could  have  desired.     In  the  course  of  the  war 
he  had  ' ormed  many  acquaintances  with  the  officers  of  the  army, 
upon  whom  he  must  have  made  a  highly  favorable  impression, 
sinte  all  who  met  him  in  London  recognised  him  with  great 
cordiality.     Some  of  these  he  had  met  in  the  salo7iso{  Q,uel)oc, 
as  well  as  been  associated  with  them  in  the  field.     His  visits  to 
the  Canadian  capital  had  been  frequent  during  and  subsequeiit 
to  the  war.     On  one  of  those  ocrasioii ,  the  Baroness  Riedesol 
met  him  at  the  provincial  court,  which  gave  her  occasion  to 
si)eak  of  him  thus  in   her  memoirs  :— "  I  saw  at  that  timo  the 
"  famous  Indian  chief.  Captain  Brai  ^     His  manners  are  polish- 
"ed  ;  he  expressed  himself  with  fluency,  and  was  much  estccm- 
«ed  by  General  Haldimand.     I  dined  once  with  him  at  the 
«  General's.     In  his  dress  lie  showed  off  to  advantage  tiie  half 
"  military  and  half  savage  cost;me.    His  countenance  was  manly 
«'  and  intelligent,  and  his  disposition  vc  y  mild."*     Aside,  there- 
fore, from  the  novt    /  of  gi/Ing  upi     an  Indiai,  prince  in  the 
British  capital,  his  education  and  associations,  his  rank  as  a  war- 
rior, and  his  bravery,  were  so  many  substantial  reasons  why 
he  should  be  received   '  iT.    kindness  and  courtesy.     Sir  Guy 
Carleton,  afterward  Lord  Dorchester,  wlio  was  then  on  the  point 
of  embarking  for  America  to  relieve  Sir  Frederick  Haldii..;uid 
in  the  government  of  the  Canada"^,  Wii     veil  acquainted  witli 
the  Chief     Earl  Moira;  aiterward  "  ^.rquis  of  Hastings,  who  had 
served  in  America  as  Lord    Ri       >n.     lad    formed  a  strong 
attachment  to  Captain  Biant,  an<:   gave  i.imhis  picture  sot  in 
gold.t     The  late  General  Sir   Charles  Stuart,  fourth       i  oi 
the  Earl  of  Bute,  who,  while  serving  in  America,  had  often 
slept  under  the  same  tent  with  him,  had  the  warmest  regard  for 
him,t  and  cordially  recognised  him  as  his  friend  in  London. 


•  Letters  and  memoirs  of  the  Baroness  de  Riedesel. 

t  Now  in  possession  of  the  lady  of  Colonel  William  J.  Kerr,  tho  daughter  of 
Thayondanogea. 

X  Letter  of  Thomas  Campbell  to  the  late  John  Brant,  or  Ahyonwaeghs,  tiie  son 
of  Thayeadanegea ;  of  whom  more  her utirter. 


1786.] 


SECOND    VISIT    TO   ICNOLAND. 


251 


VV  th  he  late  Duke  of  Northumberland,  thn,  Lord  IVrcv   he 

imd  l.kewise  fornied  an  acquaintnn.oiu  An.erica,  wh  c    r.Vned 

ntoaIasnnga.'achment,  and  was  mauitained  lyn^Zr^ 

dance,  continued  at  intervals  until  his  death.     WUh  the-  Ead  o 

Wan..ck  and  others  of  the  nobility  and  gentry,  he     d  bocle 

dm     Charles  t  ox,  James  Bosu.,11,  and  many  others.     He  sat 
or  us  p...„re  for  Lord  P..,vy,  as  he  had  done  for  the  Earl  o 
Warwick  and  JJoswoil  when  fir^t  ir.  p.,  i      i         I  \ 

rented  him  with  a  silver  s.r  1'  •      '  "  ^'" 

,i,„  ir-  ,  snuti-i)ox,  bearing  his  m  t  als  *     With 

It    of  h""    "  ,r  :•:['  ^'"17  T^  ■""  •»  "l'Prcci,r,o 
"=\°^  "'^       ^ncr  chief,  and  he  loved  his  Queen  tnn 

Majubty  s  ftvor,  ,„  a  rannne,  Ihnt  wo„l,l  hnvo  done  no  divomli. 
Equally  well   did  he  stand  in  the  pr-^ro<,  of  fi,     n  • 

the  leading  Whigs  were  aecustomed  to  sp-ak  of  the  KiW  hnd 

lusretTe^ lb"'""  ^ ^^^  ''  the\varrioV  by^^'^' 
R  t  «        /u   u'  ''^"'  "^'^'  '^"'^^  ^«^-  his  Majesty's  person 

P.tal    'el^^^  ^""^'n  °'  ^'^^^  "^^^"P°"^  -^  ^heTos' 

n-     t  h.    n  ,     J""  '""''^ '"  participate,  the  Thief  did  not 

left  hi,      r^  «.''^^''''  "'*  ''^^^^•'•''  °f  his  mission.     He  had 

left  his  nation  suffering    from  their  losses  of  ^-^r-^-V  .nl 

*  Sullinthenossessionof  Mrs   Kerr  t  Tv','^  ^    '""^'^       ^ 

'  ^^''"-  *  H'"  lato  Majesty  George  IV, 


.,.J.      '* 


iic:> 


fit 


'•'♦■ «  ■   J 


Kmrji^ 

Lli 

^' .    on 

Z.ZLZZ 

::: 

Ll«! 


M 


2r.2 


T  IFK    OK    nil  A  NT. 


[178G. 


« 


Hi.]. 


49 


other  sacrifices,  by  which,  as  well  ns  their  arms,  they  had  proved 
their  loyalty,  or  rather  their  good  faitii  to  the  King  us  allies,  dur- 
ing the  late  war,  and  his  first  object  was  to  obtain  relief.  Tlio 
claims  of  liis  people  had  previously  been  presented  to  the  con- 
sideration of  his  Majesty's  Government,  as  already  staied,  hy 
Sir  John  Johnson  ;  but,  apparently  receiving  no  attention,  on 
the  4th  of  January,  1780,  Captain  Brant  addressed  the  follo\vin<r 
letter  to  Lord  Sidney,  his  Majesty's  Secretary  Ibr  the  (Jojoniiil 
Department : — 

Captain  Brant  to  Loud  SiDxVey. 

"My  Lord, 

"  The  claims  of  the  Mohawks  for  their  losses  havinsf  Leeii 
delivered  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  His  Majesty's  Superintendent 
General  for  Indian  affairs,  to  General  Haldimand,  and  by  him 
laid  before  your  Lordship,  who  cannot  but  be  well  inforinod 
that  their  sufferings,  losses,  and  b.Mng  drove  from  that  country 
which  their  forefothers  long  enjoyed,  and  loft  them  the  peace- 
able possession  of,  is  in  consequence  of  their  faithful  atiacluin'iit 
to  the  Knig,  and  the  zeal  they  manifested  in  supporting  the 
Cfcuse  of  His  country  against  the  rebellious  subjects  in  America. 

"  From  the  promises  made  by  the  Governor  and  Commander- 
in-chief  of  Canada,  that  their  losses  should  be  made  good,  and 
that  soon,  when  I  left  them,  I  was  desired  to  put  His  Majesty's 
ministers  in  mind  of  their  Ion:  and  sincere  friendship  for  the 
English  nation,  in  whose  cause  their  ancestors  and  they  have 
so  often  fought  and  so  freely  bled, — of  their  late  happy  settle- 
ments, before  the  rebellion,  and  their  present  situation, — and  to 
request  their  claims  might  be  attended  to,  and  that  orders  may 
be  given  for  what  they  are  to  receive  to  be  paid  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble, in  order  to  enable  them  to  go  on  with  the  settlement  they 
are  now  making ;  in  some  measure  stock  their  farms,  and  get 
such  articles  and  materials  as  all  settlements  in  new  countries 
require,  and  which  it  is  out  of  their  power  to  do  before  they  are 
paid  for  their  losses. 

"  On  my  mentioning  these  matters,  since  my  arrival  in  Eng- 
land,  I  am  informed  orders  are  given  that  this  shall  be  done ; 
which  will  give  great  relief  and  satisfaction  to  those  faithful 
Indians,  who  will  have  spirit  to  go  on,  and  their  hearts  be  filled 
with  gratitude  for  the  King,  tiieir  father's,  great  kindneb,.,  which 


^ 


(I 


1786.J        counr.:«Poxn,.:NCE  with  tn^n  smKRv.  263 

"JOSEPH  BRANT,  Ca;.^„,V,,, 
•'  London,  4M  ya„„„ry,  1786."        "  '^ha^'endaneqea. 

ship  in  the  ro,,!:  L  s,:  ^°er;:r  'i"?"^-^^'  "'*  '-^^- 

writinff  ._  '  ^     •"'  •"  '^'^PJ'  °^  ^^hicli  was  delivered  in 

in  beliiilf  of  (he  Five  IIi.ifM  m  ,  ^  "k  followmg-  s|Mcii  lo  you, 
federates  in  No°.h  Z^ZT  °^  ""''''"'' """  *■-  ">n 

Americans;  and  thou-rh  vu.  I        .  ^'''*°  "^''^''^^  ^it'»  the 

been  concluded  be  ^l  1  "d  7  '"'  -^""^^  ^"'^  '""^^  -- 
with  us,  which  cauLs in  '  "  ''  ""'  ^"'^"y  «««'«d 

nations  "'''  ^'''''  ""^^"»«««  through  all  the  Indian 

«  When  we  heard  peace  was  made  between  Iiis  M.;  ♦  ^ 
^le  A,nencans,  we  made  application  to  clenera  hST^ 
Gluebec,  to  know  our  situation  Hoi;        ''''"^'^*'  Haldimand  at 

copyof  „hiehInowdeliver.oy„,frL:^i'i  !'°  ""^  ''■"»-» 

out  "      Sl^Tprtrh"  '"'  7"^  ^'  "--'^'^  Po-'e" 
li«>  t„„e  of  S  ™  "fl'"'™  '"  *,\'="8"=''  f'™  *e  ear- 

-ive  pan  „„  foSntr^t™  nrr„T:,r;"^*''' 

every  dispute  thp^r  I,..  ,  >  u  j       ■     .  "  '"^^''^  ^^^or  m 

W..I.-  ascoLs^r.  ';;;■  ir,„T«  :r  r:;  i:  tt' 
::r::-t;Se*t:rf~^^^ 

-  po.'.sible  .uch  firm  friends  and  allies  could  be  so  nco-. 


iW, 


mmn-m 


»»-nm 


r 

.J.  S" 


Ifcj 

J 

1 

» 

:*# 


r  SiSj.   itAi 


i     CI 


r   H 


-I* 


\     .. 


in 


254 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1786. 


lected  by  a  nation  remarkable  for  its  lionor  and  glory,  whom 
we  had  served  with  so  much  zeal  and  fidelity.  For  this  reason 
we  applied  to  the  King's  Commander-in-chief,  in  Canada  in  a 
friendly  and  private  way,  wishing  not  to  let  those  people  in  re- 
bellion know  the  concern  and  trouble  we  were  under.  From 
the  time  of  delivering  that  speech,  near  three  years,  we  have  had 
no  answer,  and  remain  in  a  state  of  great  susjjense  and  uneasi- 
ness of  mind.  This  is  well  known  to  the  officers  who  com- 
manded at  the  upper  posts  in  America,  as  is  also  our  zeal  for 
His  Majesty's  service  during  the  war. 

".Our  trouble  and  distress  is  greatly  increased  by  many  things 
the  Americans  have  said,  to  whom  we  have  avoided  giving  any 
direct  answers,  or  entering  into  any  engagements  with,  before 
we  have  an  answer.  On  the  arrival  of  Sir  .Tohn  Johnson,  our 
Superintendent-General,  in  Canada,  we  hoped  to  have  received 
it ;  in  full  expectation  of  which,  several  of  our  first  and  princi- 
pal chiefs  came  down  the  country  to  meet  him  and  hear  it,  and 
were  very  much  mortified  and  sorry  at  being  disappointed.  It 
was  then  resolved  that  I  should  come  to  England,  and  I  hope 
the  necessity  we  are  under  of  getting  this  answer  will  plead  my 
excuse  for  the  trouble  1  give  your  Lordship. 

«'  It  is,  my  Lord,  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Five  United  Nations, 
and  the  v/liole  Indian  Confederacy,  that  I  may  have  an  answer 
to  that  speech  ;  and  from  our  present  situation,  a?  well  as  that  ol 
the  American  States,  who  have  surveyed  and  laid  out  great  pari 
of  the  lands  in  our  country,  on  our  side  of  the  boundary  line 
fixed  at  Fort  Stanwix  in  170.5,  the  last  time  wo  granted  any  ter- 
ritory to  the  King,  (at  which  time  some  of  the  governors  at- 
tended in  person,  and  where  they  did  not,  commissioners,  vested 
with  full  powers,  appeared  on  their  behalf;  so  that  we  had  all 
the  reason  to  hope  that  the  transaction  was  binding  with  respect 
to  all  parties,)  but  through  their  encroaching  disposition,  we 
have  found  tliey  pay  little  regard  to  engagements,  and  are  there- 
fore apprehensive  of  immediate  serious  consequences.  This  we 
shall  avoid  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  as  dearly  as  we  love  our 
lands.  But  should  it,  contrary  to  our  wishes,  happen,  we  de 
sire  to  know  whether  we  are  to  be  considered  as  His  Majesty's 
faithful  allies,  and  liave  that  s  ipport  and  countenance  such  as 
old  and  true  friends  expect. 

■•-  f  beg  liberty  to  tell  your  Lordr^hip,  that  your  answer  to  these 


1786.] 


COURESPONDENCE    WITH    LORD   SIDNEY. 


255 

matters  will  be  the  means  of  relieving  all  our  nations  irom  thit 
very  troublesome  aud  uneasy  suspense  they  now  labor  ^nder 
and  this  they  all  hope  for  on  my  return  ' 

"  Lonaon,  4th  Jan.  1786.       "  '^'-  ^^^^^^^.f^T'^'  '' 
"  The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Sidney:^    ^^^^^^-^--koka. 

The  fo^-^st  chief  was  not  an  unsuccessful  envoy,  as  will  ap- 
pear by  lue  subjou^ed  communication  fi-om  Lord  Sidnev-so 
ar  a  least  .s  relates  to  the  indemmiication  claimed  by  thTMo" 
hawks  and  tlieir  allies  of  the  Six  Nations  :_  ^ 


«  Sir, 


Lord  Sidney  to  Captain  Brant. 

"  ^Vhitehall,  6th  April,  178fa. 


The  K,n.j  h.-ts  had  under  his  royal  consideration  the  two 
letters  which  you  delivered  to  me  on  the  4th  of  January  la.st.  n 
e  presence  of  Colonel  Johnson  and  other  officers  of  thl  Ind  an 
Department;  the  first  of  them  representing  the  claims  of  the 
fl..hawks  for  losses  sustained  by  them  and  other  tribes  of  In 
d.ans,  rr:,n,  the  depredations  committed  on  their  lands  by  the 
An,e,..cr.,s  during  the  late  war;  and  the  second,  expressing  the 
desire  of  the  confederacy  to  be  informed  what  assistance  thev 
™ght  expect  from  this  country  in  case  they  should  Te  g  ^  J 
inispu  tes  with  the  Americans  relative  to  their  lands,  situS 

::;td  "^"'  '^ "'"'  ^'^  ^'^^^^'^  •-  -""^"^^1-^  h;; 

"Were  the  right  of  individuals  to  compensation  for  losses 
sust.y.ed  by  the  depredations  of  an  enemy  \o  be  admitted  no 
country,  however  opulent  it  might  be,  could  support  itself  under 
such  a  burthen,  especially  when  the  contest  happens  to  have 
taken  an  unfavorable  turn.     His  Majesty,  upon  thi  ground  con- 

'^^S^^'^T^  "''  ^^"^  principle  of  iustife,  he  m  ght 
withhold  his  royal  concurrence  to  the  liquidation  of  those  de- 
mands ;  but  His  Majesty,  in  consideration  of  the  zealous  and 
hearty  exertions  of  his  Indian  allies  in  the  support  of  his  carse 
and  as  a  ,,roo  of  his  mo.t  friendly  disposition'loward  them  W 
eon  graciously  pleased  to  consen.  that  the  losses  already  cent 
<1ed  by  Ins  Supermtendeni-General  shall  be  ..-de  ,.ood  th.t  a 
lavnrable  attention  .hall  b.  shown  to  the  claims  of  o.Jie;s.  who 


'•■■rut 
1*11 

'.tt  11 

IMH 

::> 

III*  n  : 

a    IN 

,w    « 

k:\ 

:i 

J 

1  *  1^ 

J 

Si 

; 

\\ 

^.Mi 

""•ie:.'i.i»».« 

HI'                              / ',; 

1  s» 

,.-,.,...    H'»f 

■  ii 

"'             .  Il 

l. 

m 


h 


f 


i.i ' 


H, 


« 


256 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1780. 


have  pursued  the  same  system  of  conduct ;  and  that  Sir  Guy 
Carleton,  his  Governor  General  of  his  American  dominions, 
shall  take  measures  for  carrying  his  royal  commands  into  exe- 
cution immediately  after  his  arrival  at  Quebec. 

"  This  liberal  conduct  on  the  part  of  His  Majesty,  he  trusts, 
will  not  leave  a  doubt  upon  the  minds  of  his  Indian  allies  tliat 
he  shall  at  all  times  be  ready  to  attend  to  their  future  welfare ; 
nnd  that  he  shall  be  anxious,  upon  every  occasion  wherein  tlunr 
happiness  may  be  concerned,  to  give  them  such  flirther  testimo- 
nies of  his  royal  favor  and  countenance,  as  can,  consistently  witli 
a  due  regard  to  the  national  faith,  and  the  honor  and  dignity  of 
his  crown,  be  afforded  to  them.' 

"  His  Majesty  recommends  to  his  Indian  allies  to  continue 
united  in  their  councils,  and  that  their  measures  may  be  con- 
ducted with  temper  and  moderation ;  from  which,  added  to  a. 
peaceable  demeanor  on  their  part,  they  must  experience  many 
essential  benefits,  and  be  most  likely  to  secure  to  themselves  the 
possession  of  those  rights  and  privileges  which  their  ancestors 
have  heretofore  enjoyed. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

"  With  great  truth  and  regard, 
"  Sir, 
"  Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

*'  Sidney. 
"  To  Captain  Joseph  Branf, 

*•  Tliayendanegea." 

It  appears,  that  during  his  negotiations  with  the  ministers, 
conversations  had  been  held  touching  his  claim  to  half-pay; 
but  from  the  loss  of  papers,  it  is  difficult  to  arrive  at  the  precise 
circumstances  uf  the  case.  Captain  Brant  held  His  Majesty's 
commission  during  the  war  as  a  Captain.  But  it  was  probably 
a  special  commission,  not  in  the  regular  line  of  the  army,  and 
consequently  there  may  have  been  doubts  as  to  his  title  to  lialf- 
pay  on  the  reduction  which  followed  the  war.  No  matter, 
However,  for  the  exact  circumstances  of  the  case,  such  doubts 
were  entertained,  and  were  the  occasion  of  the  following  mag- 
nanimous letter  from  the  chief  to  ono  of  his  Majesty's  under 
Secretaries,  a  copy  of  which  was  preserved  among  the  private 
papers  of  the  warrior : — 


178G.J 


LETTER  TO  SIR  EVAN  NEPEAN. 


267 


CAPTAm  Brant  to  Sir  Evan  Nepean.   (No  Date.) 
"Sir:--  ' 

and  I  h^ve  tiked tbLu  "  '"''^^'^'  ""'  P"^^'°"'  ^^^'^<^'^  y°" 

"I  am  really  sorry  tliat  I  ever  mentioned  such  a  thin,  to  you 
It  wa.  rr-Uly  owmg  to  promises  made  to  me  by  certain  pcrLn^ 
several  tunes  during  the  late  war,  that  I  should  alway   be    u, 
ported  by  the  government,  at  war  or  peace.     At  7at  t  mo'l 

"When  I  join,,!  the  English  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  it 

l^LntlZ:    fr^;  ?"'  -^^-g---ts,  or  covenants, 
^etween  the  Kmg  and  the  Indian  Nations,  as  a  sacred  thincr 
T  erofore  I  wj.  not  to  be  frighted  by  the  threats  of  the  r  bS 
atthattn^e     I  assure  you  I  had  no  other  view  in  it.    Andtl 
was  my  real  case  from  the  beginning  Ana  tins 

mission   rom  the  Connnander-in-chief,  which  I  gladly  received 
as  u. nark  of  uttjmtion,  though  I  never  asked  for  it^md  I  be  ev^ 
ny  trouble  and  risqucs  wa.  of  ojual  value  to  the  marl  s  of  It 
ention  I  received  :  I  am  sure  not  too  much  in  the  ey  s  of  the 
Indians,  or  I  should  not  have  accepted  them,  as  I  shLud  be 
sorry  t.  rai.so  jcnlo.sies.     My  meaning  for  mention  ig    hose 
I"  ^;.s  to  you,  ,,s  because  I  saw  there  was  some  difficulty  on  your 
part  liow  to  act  on  this  head  relative  to  half-pay  or  pensLi 
and  when  it  docs  not  seem  clear,  I  should  be  sorry  to  accemT 
herciore  I  bog  of  you  will  say  no  more  about  i[;-for  wl  i 
to  get  It  when  there  were  doubts  about  the  propriety  oT]^  T 
should  riot  ho  happy.    For  which  reason  I  thin'k  it  ?s  L^ to  go 

"  I  am  now,  Sir,  to  beg  you  will  return  my  best  thanks  to  Go 
vernment  for  what  they  [have]  done  for  me,  and  am,  Sir' 
"  Your  most  obedient, 

"  Humble  iervant, 

« 'TV  c*-    ri         .*  "  Jose:  H  Brant. 

7o  Sir  Lvan  Nepean,  Under  Se^retarrj,  at  Heme:' 


'   »1 


ifv 


•)••.•<■  I* 


It  M 

•  H 


I"  IB 

It* 


ii:r"^*> 


J 


.'■iw:: 


„.-^<» 


If! 


»M! 


* 


«58 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1786. 


There  are  a  frankness  and  manliness  of  tone  and  spirit  in  this 
letter,  which  will  illustrate  a  striking  feature  in  the  character  of 
the  writer,  and  are  worthy  of  high  approbation.  It  is  the  only 
paper  of  any  consequence  connected  with  the  Captain's  mission 
to  England,  in  addition  to  those  already  cited,  that  remains. 

The  chieftain's  visit  must  have  been  most  agreeable,  since,  in 
addition  to  the  success  which  crowned  his  labors  in  regard  to 
the  claims  of  the  Indians,  no  pains  were  spared  to  render  his 
residence  in  London  one  of  uninterrupted  gratification.  He 
was  caressed  by  the  noble  and  the  great,  and  was  alike  welcome 
at  court  or  at  the  banquets  of  the  heir  apparent — who,  with  all 
his  faults,  was  "  the  first  gentleman  in  the  realm  ;" — a  fine  classi- 
cal scholar  himself,  and  a  lover  of  genius  and  intellect — of  let- 
ters and  men  of  letters — of  sparkling  wit,  as  well  as  wine. 
Among  his  most  frequent  guests  were  Fox,  Burke,  and  Sheridan, 
and  others  of  that  splendid  galaxy  of  eloquence  and  intellect — 
the  master  spirits  of  the  opposition  in  the  House  of  Commons — 
who  were  at  that  time  basking  in  the  sunshine  of  the  Prince's 
favor,  and  living  in  the  hope  of  more  substantial  things  to  come. 
Though  deficient  in  his  literary  acquisitions,  Brant,  with  great 
strength  of  mind  and  shrewdness  of  observation,  had,  more- 
over, sufficient  taste  and  cultivation  to  appreciate  society,  even  of 
this  elevated  and  intellectual  character.  The  natural  reserve 
of  the  Indian  temperament  he  could  assume  or  throw  off  at  plea- 
sure, and.  with  a  keen  sense  of  the  ludicrous,  he  could  himself 
use  the  weapons  of  humor  and  sarcasm  \vith  a  good  share  of 
skill  and  dexterity. 

Several  anecdotes  have  been  preserved  ni  well-authenticated 
tradition,  illustrative  of  these  traits  of  character.  One  of  these 
is  the  following  :— Among  the  geutleraen  of  rank  with  whom 
Brant  was  acquainted,  was  a  nobleman  of  whom  if  was  scanda- 
lously reported  that  his  place  was  purchased  by  the  illicit  favors 
bestowed  upon  another  by  his  teautiful  wife.  On  one  occasion 
;Ali»  Lords) lip  undertook  to  rally  th«  forest  chief  upon  the  sub- 
jpflliof  the  wild  and  rud<?  manners  and  customs  of  tl»«  Indians. 
t«  which  they  perlinswr-Joasiy  ad  lered  notwith^widiny  all  the 
attempts  made  to  improve  them  by  the  arts  of  civilization.  Some 
afVMir  absurd  practices,  of  wliich  the  Englis*)^  as  his  Lordship 
remariced;  tliought  very  strange,  v/«re  particularised.  Brant 
listened  very  patiently  tintil  it  becani"  lii"  turn  to  speak,  when 


17SG.J 


HIS    HUM0Un~A    MA8QUKHADE. 


259 

he  replied  that  there  were  cnstomH  in  England,  also,  of  which 
the  Indians  thought  very  strange.  "  And  r^av  wluit  L  hcv^ 
niqun-ed  his  Lordship.  «  Why,"  answe .^d  'the  chie  ,'  L  'l„. 
dians  have  heard  that  it  is  a  practice  in  England  for  men  who 
are  born  chiefs  to  sell  the  virtue  of  their  .sqiuuvs  for  place  Id 
for  money    o  buy  their  venison!"     The\lohawk    oc'mied 

pumty.  But  ni  the  present  in.stanco  the  rebuke  was  doublv 
withering,_from  the  gravity  and  ass.nned  simplicity  with  w  ich 
It  was  uttered,  and  the  certainly  that  the  titled'genLm-m  "^d 
not  mistake  the  direction  of  the  arrow,  while  he  could  "ehlr 
parry  nor  avoid,  nor  appear  to  notice  it 

Durmg  his  stay  in  London,  a  grand  fancy  ball,  or  masquerade 
wasgot  up  with  great  splendor,  and  numerously  attended  by  die 
nobihty  and  gentry.     Captain  Brant,  at  the  instance  of  Ear 
Moira,  was  also  present,  richly  .Irossed  in  the  costume  of  his 
nation,  wearing  no  mask,  Inn  painting  one  half  of  his  face 

titrp"     '^^'  "  ^"i""^  '■"  ''''^  ^-"P  "'^  ^^'-.^f'  t'-  WoSl  o" 
a    und  ed  Perc.es  coursed  through  his  veins,  andhis  tomahawk 

ghuered  in  his  girdle  like  burnislu.-d  silver.    There  was,  likewise 

in  the  gay  and  gallant  throng  a  stately  Tu,  kish  diplomat  of  rink' 

accomp..,ed  by  two  houris,  whoso  at.ention  was  partieu^^  y 

attracted  by  the  grotesqu.,  appearance  of  the  cliieftai,  's  singular 

and,  as  he  supposed,  f;.m,as.ic  attire.    The  pageant  was  brillia    1^ 

the  imagination  could  desire;  but  umongthe  whole  motley  throng 

of  Pilgrims  and  warriors,  hermits  and  shepherds,  knights,  dam 

-  s,  and  gipsies,  there  was,  to  the  eye  of  the  Mussulman,  no 

character  so  picturesque  and  striking  as  that  of  the  Molmvk  • 

which,  being  natural,  appeared  to  he  the  best  made  up.     He 

scmtimsed  the  chief  very  closely,  and  mistaking  his  rLee) 

noir  complexion  for  a  painted  viNor,  the  Turk  took  the  li'.eSy  of 

a  tempting  to  handle  his  nose.     Brant  had,  of  course,  watched 

h    u^rknigs  of  his  observation,  and  fel,  in  the  humor'of  a  litt  e 

^port      No  sooner,  therefore,   h,ui  Hassan  touched   his  facial 

miril  rr;r  ?'  "'•^'''"^"  '^^'^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^-  «^  »-  bettei 
fT^nn  I  rn  r  P"^f  ^''^"^  ""'^^^  "^  the  Str.x.burgh  trumpeter, 
han  the  Chieftain  made  the  hall  resound  with  the  a^pallin.  war' 
whoop,  and  at  the  same  instant  the  tomahawk  leaped  from  his 
^n.dle  and  flashed  around  the  astounded  Mussulman's  head  as 
though  h.s  good   naster,  the  Suhan.  in  a  minute  more,  would  b(» 


till        "'■"    « 


..r.t 


;:;:>:? 


P 


?:««■■  iJfe^ 


258 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1786. 


There  are  a  frankness  and  manliness  of  tone  and  spirit  in  this 
letter,  which  will  illustrate  a  striking  feature  in  the  chai'uctcr  of 
the  writer,  and  are  worthy  of  high  approbation.  It  is  tlie  only- 
paper  of  any  consequence  connected  with  the  Captain's  mission 
to  England,  in  addition  to  those  already  cited,  that  remains. 

The  chieftain's  visit  must  have  been  most  agreeable,  since,  in 
addition  to  the  success  which  crowned  his  labors  in  regard  to 
the  claims  of  the  Indians,  no  pains  were  spared  to  render  his 
residence  in  London  one  of  uninterrupted  gratification.  He 
was  caressed  by  the  noble  and  the  great,  and  was  alike  welcome 
at  court  or  at  the  banquets  of  the  heir  apparent — who,  with  all 
his  faults,  was  "  the  first  gentleman  in  the  realm  ;" — a  fine  classi- 
cal scholar  himself,  and  a  lover  of  genius  and  intellect — of  let- 
tare  and  men  of  letters — of  sparkling  wit,  as  well  as  wine. 
Among  his  most  frequent  guests  were  Fox,  Burke,  and  Sheridan, 
and  others  of  that  splendid  galaxy  of  eloquence  and  intellect — 
the  master  spirits  of  the  opposition  in  the  House  of  Commons — 
who  were  at  that  time  basking  in  the  sunshine  of  the  Prince's 
favor,  and  living  in  the  hope  of  more  substantial  things  to  come. 
Though  deficient  in  his  literary  acquisitioiis,  Brant,  with  great 
strength  of  mind  and  shrewdn(;ss  of  observation,  had,  more- 
over, sufficient  taste  and  cultivation  to  appreciate  society,  even  of 
this  elevated  and  intellectual  character.  The  natural  reserve 
of  the  Indian  temperament  he  could  assume  or  throw  off  at  plea- 
sure, and  with  a  keen  sense  of  the  ludicrous,  he  could  himself 
use  the  weapons  of  humor  and  sarcasm  with  a  good  share  of 
skill  and  dexterity. 

Several  anecdotes  have  been  preserved  ni  well-authenticated 
tradition,  illustrative  of  these  traits  of  character.  One  of  these 
is  the  following  : — Among  the  gentlemen  of  rank  with  whom 
Brant  was  acquainted,  was  a  nobleman  of  whom  it  was  scanda- 
lously reported  that  his  place  was  purchased  by  the  illicit  favors 
bestowed  upon  another  by  his  l>eautifii]  wife.  On  one  occasion 
Siil^rdsliip  undertook  to  rally  th*-  forest  chief  upon  the  snb- 
jpSli-of  the  wild  and  ru<k  manners  and  customs  of  the  Indians, 
t»  which  tliey  pertinaciously  ad  iered  notwithsC«ndni;/  all  the 
atBempts  made  to  ini[>rove  them  by  the  arts  of  civilization.  Some 
<jf  tneir  absurd  practices,  of  wbich  the  Engli,>*i^  as  his  Lordship 
remarKedj  thought  very  strnngo,  v/^T'!  particularised.  Brant 
listened  very  patieiitly  until  it  became  hix  turn  to  speak,  when 


I '  *  »!••<«  -m 


178G.J 


HIS    HUMOUR— A   MASQUERADE. 


259 

t'lTi'''^  ";f  '^T  "^''^  ""^^""^" '"  ^^"^'«»^i>  -i^^o,  of  which 

the  Indans  thought  very  strange.  "And  pmy  wl>.at  are  thev'" 
mqua-ed  his  Lordship.  "  Why,"  ans^vered  the  chie?"  ^.e 'in- 
dmns  have  heard  that  it  is  a  practice  in  England  for  men  who 
aie  bora  chiefs  to  sell  the  virtue  of  their  sqimws  for  place  Tnd 
for  money    o  buy  their  veni.son !"     The\Mohawk    oc";pied 

pimty.  But  m  the  present  mstanco  tlie  rebuke  was  doubly 
withenng,_from  the  gravity  and  assumed  simplicity  with  whk. h 
It  was  uttered  and  the  certainly  that  the  titled  genLLlnc^^d 
not  mistake  the  direction  of  the  arrow,  while  he  could  nehlr 
parry  nor  avoid,  nor  appear  to  notice  it 

During  his  stay  in  London,  a  grand  fancy  ball,  or  masquerade 
wasgot  up  with  great  splendor,  and  numerously' attended  bvle 
nohhty  and  gentry.     Captain  Brant,  at  the  instance  of  Ear 
Moira,  was  also  present,  richly  dressed  in  the  costume  of  his 
na  ion,  wearing  no  mask,  hut  painting  one  half  of  his  foce 
P»"'7  "«dded  as  proudly  in  his  cap  as  though  the  bio  "o 
a     indred  Perc.es  coursed  through  his  veins,  andl.is  tomahawk 
glmered  m  his  girdle  like  b.nni.shed  silver.    There  was,  likew  le 
"^  the  gay  aiKl  gallant  throng  a  stately  T„,  kish  di,lorna/ofZk 
acco.,p       d  by  two  houris,  whose  atu-ntion  was  partic^ly 
attracted  by  the  grotesque  appearance  of  the  chieftain's  singular 
and,  as  he  supposed,  fentastic  attire.    The  pageant  was  brilliant  as 
the  imagination  could  desire;  hut  arnongthe  whole  motley  thlg 
of  Pilgrims  and  warriors,  hermits  and  shepherds,  knights,  dam 
^^els,  and  gipsies,  there  was,  to  the  eye  of  the  Mussulman,  no 
character  so  picturesque  and  striking  as  that  of  the  Mohawk- 
winch,  being  natural,  appeared  to  bo  the  best  made  up     111 
scrutinised  the  chief  very  closely,  and  mistaking  his  rLeet 
noir  complexion  for  a  painted  visor,  the  Turk  took  the  liberty  of 
atton^pting  to  handle  his  nose.     Brant  had,  of  course,  watched 

Snf  h     ''""'"^      7"^'^'   '""^  ^^'''''^  ^'^"^'hed    his  facial 
point  of  honor,  under  the  mistaken  idea  that  it  was  of  no  bettei 
material  than  the  parchm.ont  nose  of  the  Strasburgh  trumpeter 
than  the  Chieflain  made  the  hall  resound  with  the  a^^! linear: 

?  rdle    r^^^d  flashed  around  the  astotmdod  Mussulman's  head  as 
though  ins  gooH   naster,  the  Sultan,  in  n  minute  more,  would  b. 


1 1'. . 


'  '  ►  wit  I 


"J 


'Wv.^tt.MH 


*#' 


i 

t 


/|  III 


■■!(j.-,  ,,        ^  viK 


I 


h 


1 


4 


260 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1786 


relieved  from  any  future  trouble  in  the  matter  of  taking  it  off 
Such  a  piercinf^  and  frightful  cry  had  never  before  rung  through 
that  salon  of  fashion  ;  and  breaking  suddenly,  and  with  startling 
wildiicss,  upon  ihe  ears  of  the  merry  throng,  its  effect  was  prodi- 
gious. Tlie  Turk  himself  trembled  with  terror,  while  the  female 
masquers — the  gentle  shepherdesses,  and  fortune-telling  crones, 
Turks,  Jews  and  gipsies,  bear-leaders  and  their  bears,  Falstaffs, 
friars,  and  forlune-tellcrs.  Sultans,  nurses  and  Columbines, 
shrieked,  screamed  and  scudded  away  as  though  the  Mohawks 
iiad  broken  into  the  festive  hall  in  a  body.  The  matter,  however, 
was  soon  explained  ;  and  the  incident  was  accounted  as  happy  in 
the  end  as  it  was  adroitly  enacted  by  the  good-humored  Mohawk.* 
But  neither  the  pleasures  of  society,  nor  the  follies  of  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  nor  the  special  busmess  of  his  mission,  nor  the  views 
of  political  ambition  which  he  was  cherishing,  made  him  forget- 
ful of  the  moral  wants  of  his  people.  Notwithstanding  the 
ceaseless  activity  of  his  life,  he  bad  found  time  to  translate  the 
Gospel  of  Mark  into  the  Mohawlc  language ;  and  as  most  of  the 
Indian  Prayer  and  Psalm  Books  previously  in  use  had  been 
either  lost  or  destroyed  during  the  war,  the  opportunity  of  his 
visit  was  chosen  by  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  Foreign  Parts,  to  bring  out  a  new  and  superior  edition  of 
that  work,  under  Brant's  own  supervision,  and  incbiding  the 
Gospel  of  Mark  as  translated  by  him.  This  was  the  first  of  the 
Gospels  ever  translated  entire  mto  the  Mohawk  language.  The 
book  was  elegantly  printed  in  large  octavo,  under  the  immediate 
patronage  of  the  King.  It  was  printed  in  alternate  pages  of 
English  and  Mohawk ;  and  the  volume  contained  the  psalms  and 
occasional  prayers  before  published,  together  with  the  services  of 
communion,  baptism,  matrimony,  and  the  burial  of  the  dead. 
It  was  embellished  with  a  number  of  scriptural  engravings,  ele- 
gant for  the  state  of  the  arts  at  that  day ;  the  frontispiece  represent- 
ing the  interior  of  a  chapel,  with  portraits  of  the  King  and 
Queen,  a  bishop  standing  at  either  hand,  and  groups  of  Indians 
leceiving  the  sacred  books  from  both  their  Majesties.t 

♦  Tliia  incident  was  somewliat  differently  related  by  the  British  Magazine,  which 
represented  that  the  weapon  was  raised  by  Brnnt  in  sobc  earnest ;  he  having  taken 
the  freedom  of  the  Turk  for  a  real  indignity.  But  such  was  clearly  net  the  fact.  His 
friends  never  so  understood,  it. 

t  A  handsome  copy  of  this  valuable  book,  in  morocco  gilt,  hnn  been  loaneH  '.o 


1786.] 


HIS  RETURN  TO  CANADA. 


261 


tur  ed  It  h   r        ?"'  '"^°  "^  '^'  y^''  1^86  Captain  Drant 

urned  IHS  back  upon  the  guy  ,u(,tropolis  of  England,  to  bury 

Inmself  once  more  in  the  deep  fhrc.ts  toward  the  letting  sun     f^ 

pa  ch  of  April  6th  since,  among  tho  papers  of  the  chief,  there  is  a 
w  r  tf  r.f  'u  '"" '^''^'^  '^''^  '•'^'""''  ^y  Major  Matthews  who 
Montreal,  July  24, 178b.  Early  m  the  month  of  December  fol- 
owing  he  will  also  be  found  attending  nn  Indian  Cotmcirfa  in 
the  country  of  the  Great  Lakes. 

L^'l'lSar-    '•'"^'-^^'^-"-'•>- or  the  o.d  chief,  and  contain. 


I"  »HI"lt  It 
'  It"*  M 


'  MS""  ■* 

tl*Hlf'JU4  >|^ 
'  ■  Mu.iM    ^ 


j  •»  Wi«*<«|  :H 

"•  Mir<n   M 

» 

1*^  1  ■ 


"i" 


1> 


t«.^ 


il 


l<* 


c 


CHAPTER  IX. 


DifTiciiUies  bntween  Great  Britain  and  tho  United  States  after  the  Treaty— Re- 
fiisal  of  the  t'ormor  to  surrender  tlio  western  posts — Mission  of  Baron  Sienbim  tu 
Canada — Indications  of  fresh  Indian  hostilities — Movements  of  Captain  Branl— 
Grand  Indian  Conncil  at  the  Hnron  Vdhijje — Address  to  the  United  States— Let- 
ter of  the  Secretary  at  War,  General  Knox,  to  Captain  Brant— Le:tcr  of  Sir 
John  Johnson  to  Brant— Letter  of  Major  Matthews  to  Brant,  disclosing  the  views, 
of  Lord  Dorchester  respecting  the  retention  of  the  western  posts— Message  from 
the  linrons  to  the  Five  Nations,  proposing  another  grand  Council — Preparations 
of  Geniiral  St.  Clair  for  negotiating  w'UU  the  Indians — Brant  begins  to  distrust 
Ihem  all— LiHer  of  Brant  to  Patrick  Langan,  Sir  John  Johnson's  Secretary- 
Letter  of  Brant  to  Sir  John  Johnson — Great  Council  at  Miainis — Letter  of  Captain 
Brant  to  Patrick  Langan — St.  Clair's  negotiations  at  Fort  flarmar — The  policy  of 
dividing  to  conquer — Letter  of  Captain  Brant  to  Major  Matthews — Jealousies  of 
Brant  among  the  Indians — Council  against  him  at  Montreal — L(  Iter  to  him  from 
Major  Matthews — Letter  of  Brant  in  nply— Letter  to  Colonel  M'Donnell— Sua. 
P'Cti'd  plot  against  llie  Englisl;  at  Detroit,  and  Brant  and  his  Mohawks,  by  the 
tiiiron^,  Cliippewas,  and  Pottawattamiis — Letter  to  Brant  from  Sir  John  John, 
son — Brant  turns  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  letters — Endeavors  to  obtain  a 
stated  Missionary — Resumes  the  [ireparation  of  Religious  books — Letter  from 
President  Willard — John  Norton — Land  di  I'ciilties  among  the  Indians  in  ths 
state  of  New- York — Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Brant. 

Unhappily  the  treaty  of  peace  did  not  bring  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain  immediately  to  sv»  good  an  understand- 
ing with  each  other  a?  could  have  been  desired.  Several  import- 
ant questions  reniamed  for  subsequent  arrangement.  The  treaty 
proposed  a  general  restoratjon  of  confiscated  property  to  all  such 
loyalists  as  had  nvM  actually  borne  arms  in  the  service  of  the 
Kino-.  The  American  Congress  passed  a  resolution  recommend- 
inof  the  fulfilment  of  this  clause  of  the  treaty  by  the  several 
states  ;  but  it  was  not  considered  binding,  and  Sotith  Carolina 
alone  u[>j:)roached  to  a  compliance  therewith.  There  was,  like- 
wise, an  explicit  provision  in  the  treaty,  respecting  the  payment 
of  d'ibts  due  by  Ann^ricans  to  British  subjects,  not  resting  upon 
a  recommendation  only  ;  tfie  fulfilment  of  which  was  sadly  neg- 
lected. Indeed,  the  states  in  which  those  debts  chiefly  lay, 
showed  but  too  plainly  an  indisposation  to  *id  in  carrying  the 
stipulation  into  effect.  On  ihe  otiier  hand,  the  negroes  belotig- 
in<T  to  American  citizens  who  were  in  the  possession  and  service 
of  the  officers  of  the  British  armv.  were  n<it  restored  ;  and,  con- 
trary to  <dl  expectatii^n,  Great  IVitain  refused  to  surrender  the 
militarv  posts  upon  the  American  sid-,^  of  the  great  lakes.  The 
surrender  of  those  posts  was  expected  with  the  utmost  con- 


1780.] 


THE   WESTERN    POSTS. 


263 


fidencc,  as  one  of  tU  most  immediate  consequences  of  the  rati, 
fication  of  the  treaty.    To  this  end,  Congress  instructed  the  Com- 
mander-m-ch.ef  to  make  all  the  riecossary  arrangen.ents  to  receive 
and  occupy  the  posts  in  the  Summer  of  1783;  and  in  July  of 
that  season,  the  Baron  Steuben  was  despatched  by  General 
Washmgton  on  a  mission  to  Sir  Frederick  Haldimand  at  Que- 
bec, to  concert  the  necessary  dispositions,  and  proceed  alon<.  tlie 
frontiers  as  far  as  Detroit,   to  examine  tlie  different  posts," and 
•report  m  regard  to  their  condition,  and  how  many  and  which  of 
thorn  It  would  be  expedient  for  the  United  States  permanently  to 
occupy.      The  Baron  met  General  Haidimaud  at  Sorel,  on  his 
way  to  vasit  the  country  of  the  lakes  himself     But  on  makino- 
known  his  business,  the  British  commander  informed  him  thai 
he  had  received  no  instructions  for  the  evacuation  of  the  posts 
or  for  any  other  objects  than  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  with 
which  lie  had  complied.     He  did  not  consider  himself  at  libertv 
t->  enter  into  any  negotiations  with  the  Baron  upon  the  subject 
and  even  refused  him  the  necessary  passports  for  visiting  Nia<ra- 
ra  and  Detroit.!     In  addition  to  this,  under  tlie  pretext  ^that  "he 
i,mvernment  of  the  United  States  had  not  sufficient  power  to  en- 
lorce  the  observance  of  a  commercial  treaty.  Great  Britain  refus- 
ed  to  join  in  the  negotiation  of  such  an  instrument  t     Thus 
situated-the  government  and  people  of  each  nation  complain- 
ing ot  the  other-crimination  and  recrimination  ensued    until 
the  public  feehng  became  irritated  almost  to  exasperation  ' 

The  Indians,  in  the  mean  time,  brooding  over  thf.  real  or  fan 
cied  wrongs  they  had  sustained  at  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix 
and  irritated  at  the  onward  current  of  the  white  population 
pressing  m  their  own  direction,  were  becoming  restiff-  particu- 
larly the  more  distant  tribes  at  the  south-west;  and  their  i  we 
ments  indicated  any  thing  but  pacific  intentions.  Lideed  alono- 
some  portions  of  the  western  frontier,  particularly  on  the  Ohio 
river,  it  comd  scarcely  be  said  that  they  had  been  at  peace  Both 
m  1785  and  in  1786,  acts  of  individual  hostility  were  not  unfre 

•  Letter  of  Washington  to  General  Haldimand,  July  12.  178"-      ^•    ,  r„„, 
tions  of  the  same  to  Baron  Steuben.  ^     '  .^i" 

t  The  fact  was  but  tiw  trnu.     After  the  common  dan^ror  of  ihe  ivn,      T.  ^'  a  . 
^nd  the  States  together,  ,he  articles  of  the  Co,.federa,i;;:ere ir:  .p   ^rsr^n" 

>^ZTmi. ""'  "'"'■ '"' '  '"^'""^ """" ""''  "'•^  ^''™'''">"  "f  ^hc  co„: 


'  »  mn-m  •» 

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264 


LIFE   OP   BHANT. 


[1780. 


qiicnt  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  and  on  the  Kentnclcy  border ; 
and  in  l)oth  of  thuso  years  larger  parties  had  repeatedly  attacked 
the  crews  of  boats  descending  the  river.  It  was  likewise  rortain 
that  two  yeai-s  only  had  elapsed  after  the  close  of  the  war  before 
a  hostile  combination  of  the  great  north-western  nations  was  sup- 
posed to  have  t)een  formed ;  and  documentary  proof  has  been 
adduced  in  the  preceding  pages  that  a  powerful  and  influential 
messenger,  in  the  person  of  Captain  IJrant,  had  been  instructed 
by  thojC  nations  to  ascertain  prospectively  the  nietisure  of  assist- 
ance they  might,  in  the  event  of  hostilities,  expect  to  receive 
from  Great  Britain.  It  is  true  that  Lord  Sidney,  in  his  reply  to 
the  message  of  Thayendanegea,  had  avoided  committing  himself 
cither  way  upon  this  point.  But  the  mtissage  of  the  Mohawk 
chief,  and  the  riM^v-  of  the  minister,  were  alike  unknown  to  the 
public  at  that  dsy.  Still,  it  was  to  the  detention  of  the  posts  on 
the  lakes  that  Ih  hofjtile  temper  manifested  by  the  Indians,  and 
their  frequent  cj^  i/.iges  on  the  frontier,  were  ascribed;  with 
more  justice,  as  Wul  hereafter  appear,  than  Great  Britain  would 
be  willing  to  allow. 

The  conduct  of  Captain  Brant,  moreover,  v.-hen  illustrated  by 
his  private  correspondence  as  well  as  Ins  public  actions,  will 
presently  appear  very  mysterious,  if  not  equivocal.  By  retiring 
with  his  own  nation  into  Canada,  the  Mohawks  had  not  with- 
drawn from  the  Confederacy  of  the  Six  Nations,  nor  had  Tha- 
yendanegea relinquished  his  official  rank  as  the  principal  or  su- 
perior chief  of  the  whole,  though  live  of  them  remained  within 
the  United  States.  The  differences  which  thus  early  sprang  up 
between  the  United  States  and  the  Indians,  arose  upon  a  ques- 
tion of  boundary ;  the  latter  maintaining  that  the  Ohio  river 
was  not  to  be  crossed  by  the  people  of  the  former.  Captain 
Brant  espotised  the  cause  of  the  Indians  at  large  upon  this  ques- 
tion, and  had  early  and  strenuously  exerted  himself  to  compass 
a  grand  confederation  of  all  the  north-western  tribes  and  nations, 
of  which,  it  is  believed,  he  intended  to  be  the  head.  The  in- 
cipient steps  to  the  formation  of  such  a  confederacy,  the  reader 
has  already  seen,  had  been  taken  in  1785,  previous  to  his  de- 
parture for  England.  On  his  return  in  the  following  year,  his 
efforts  for  that  object  were  renewed.*    In  December,  1786.  a 

•  Letter  of  General  Knox,  Secretary  of  War — 11th  May,  !'81. 


1786.J 


OHEAT    INDIAN   COUNCIL. 


266 


grand  confederate  council  of  the  Indians  north  west  of  tho  Ohio 
.nciudmg  he  S.X  Nations,  was  held  at  Huron  VUla^o,  n.ar  tho 
moua.  of  the  Detroit  River.     This  council  was  attended  by 
Six  Nations  and  the  Hurons,  Ottawas,  Tw:tclUwees,  fMi 
fc.h;avanese,  Ch.ppewas,  Cherokees,  Delawares,  Pottawattaixucs 
an    the  Wabash  Confederates.     On  the  18lh  of  that T^  Tn 
address  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  was  agreed  upon 
tl)o  tone  of  winch  was  pacific-provided  the  United  States  made 
.-JO  encroachments  upon  their  lands  beyond  the  Ohio.     After  a 
ec  uratmn  ot  their  surpri.se  that  they  were  not  inchided  in    he 
treaty  of  peace,  they  observed  that  they  had  nevertheless  received 
a  messa,.o  from  the  Km.,  advising  them  to  remain  quiet.     They 

;1  InTT  T"1  '""  '"^  """^'^^'^  "--^^  from  iZ 
tl"i  teen  States,  from  the  tenor  of  which  they  had  anticipated  a 

period  of  repose.     But  while  they  were  devising  the  b  st  mea 

sures  to  secure  this  result  and  form  a  lasting  recond  a  ion- 

itt  d''  Stii;  tf  '"  '""^"'"  '"  ^'---•d-^.-i-'-f  had 
I mppcned.  St.ll  they  were  anx.ous  to  prevent  farther  trou- 
ble, as  a  prmc.pal  means  of  which  they  recommended  that  rio 
eat.es  should  be  formed  by  the  United  States  with  separa  e 
Indian  tnbes  or  nations ;  but  that  all  treaties  for  lands  sho  ,  d  be 
negcated  openly  and  above  board,  in  the  most  publ  c  m  nner 
f  by  the  un.ted  voice  of  the  Confederacy.     iLy  arZZd 

le  [Jnited^tates  would  have  every  thing  their  own  way-that 
.oy  won  d  "  kmdle  the  council-fires  wherever  they  thou  Jht  p  o 
per,  without  consulting  the  Indians."    At  the  Laty  of  Fort 
Wix  m   1781,  they  had  urged  a  diiferent  policy ;  Ld  they 
believed  that,  had  the  course  then  recommended,  of  [r  a  fn'  on  v 
m  a  general  conference  of  the  nations,  been  pursued'aU  won  d 
have  continued  peace  and  concord  between^hem     Norw'i 
^nding  the  mischiefs  that  had  happened,  the  council  profrssed 
heir  strong  desire  of  peace.     «  This,"  they  said,  « is  the  deter 
mination  of  all  the  chiefs  of  the  Confederacy,  iow  a  sembtd 
nouvit  standing  that  several  Indian  chiefs  J^re  killedT    «; 
vilLges,  even  when  m  council,  and  when  absolutely  encased 
in  promoting  peace  with  you,  the  thirteen  United  States  "?n 
or  or  to  ensure  this  desirable  result,  they  proposed  a  g    nd  co^ 
derate  council,  to  be  holden  at  some  halfway  place  in  the  en 
suing  spring-recommendincr  m  the  Jinn-^A  i"     .^ '"  ^^^  ^''' 
voi^,  jj_  =-  -^~    -•J^!lv^^  vjCaius,  ill  the  mean 


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[1787. 


time  to  prevent  their  surveyors  and  other  people  from  crossing 
to  tiie  Indian  side  of  the  Ohio.  This  important  address  con 
eluded  in  the  following  words : — "  Brothers  :  It  shall  not  be 
"  our  faults,  if  the  plans  which  we  have  suggested  to  you  should 
"  not  be  carried  into  execution.  In  that  case  the  event  will  he 
"  very  precarious,  and  if  fresh  ruptures  ensue,  we  hope  to  be 
■*  able  to  exculpate  ourselves,  and  shall  most  assuredly,  with  our 
"  united  force,  be  obliged  to  defend  those  rights  and  privilojjes 
"  which  have  been  transmitted  to  us  by  our  ancestors  ;  and  if 
"  we  should  be  thereby  reduced  to  misfortunes,  the  world  will 
"  pity  us  when  they  think  of  the  amicable  proposals  we  now 
"  mike  to  prevent  the  unnecessary  effusion  of  blood.  These 
"  are  our  thoughts  and  firm  resolves,  and  we  earnestly  desire 
"  that  you  would  transmit  to  us,  as  soon  as  possible,  your  aa- 
"  swer,  be  it  what  it  may." 

This  address,  the  ultimatum  antecedent  to  the  gener.il  war 
that  afterward  arose,  was  not  signed  by  individual  chiefs,  but 
by  the  nation,  the  name  of  the  nation  being  written,  and  the 
bird  or  animal  adopted  as  the  national  emblem  rudely  marked 
upon  the  paper.  Thayendanegea  was  present  and  active  at 
this  council,  as  will  appear  by  the  annexed  letter,  found  amon;^ 
his  papers,  from  the  American  Secretary  of  War,  General 
Knox: — 

General  Knox  to  Captain  Brant. 

«  War  Office,  July  23d,  1787. 
"Sir:— 

"  On  the  17th  instant,  and  not  before,  I  received  the  favor  ol 
your  letter,  dated  'Huron  Town,  Dec.  1 8th,  1786,'  enclosing 
the  original  speech  by  the  several  nations  of  Indians  met  at  the 
same  time  and  place,  to  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled. 

"  It  appears  from  the  information  of  General  Butler,  the  Su- 
perintendent, that  the  Shawanese  neglected  to  forward  the  above 
despatches  at  the  time  it  was  expected  they  would ;  and  it  ap- 
pears by  a  letter  from  Captain  Pipe,  of  the  Delawares,  and  the 
Half-King  of  the  Wyandots,  dated  at  Sandusky  the  3d  of  June, 
that  they  forwarded  the  despatches  finally  to  Fort  Pitt — at  which 
place,  and  at  the  same  time  also,  your  messengers  arrived  with 
your  letters  to  General  P^'Li-,  dated  Buffalo  Creek,  the  16th  of 
May,  1787,  enclosing  a  copy,  or  translation,  of  the  speech  of 


•  BS;: 


k    M 


1787.] 


INDIAN   NEGOTIATIONS. 


267 


the  chiels    transmitted  by  Captain  Pipe  and  the  Half-Kin^  of 
the  Wyandots.  » 

"I  mention  these  circumstances,  to  convince  you  that  the 
result  of  your  council,  at  the  Huron  village,  in  December,  has 
been  a  long  time  m  travelling  to  this  city. 

"On  the  receipt  of  your  papers,  they  were  submitted  to  Con- 
ffress,  who  have  taken  the  same  into  consideration,  and  will 
soon  come  to  somedecision  thereon,  which  will  be  communicat- 
ed  to  the  Supermtendant,  in  order  to  be  transmitted  to  you. 
"  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
"  Sir, 
"  Your  most  obedient, 
"  Humble  servant, 

"Colonel  Joseph  Brant,  ""•  ^''°^- 

«  One  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Mohawk  Nation:' 

J^T\  the  preceding  letter,  nor  that  in  rep^  to  which  it  was 
written,  has  been  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  American 
Department  o  War.  The  signature  of  «  The  Five  Na2Z 
however,  stood  at  the  head  of  the  list,  and  from  the  rank  and 
superior  intelligence  of  Thayendanegea,  there  can  be  Ii^t"e 
donbt  that  the  address  to  the  Government  of  the  United  Stat^ 
was  dictated  If  not  written,  by  him.  That  it  was  m  entiret 
cordance  with  h.s  views,  appears  most  fully  by  the  following  let- 
ter  from  Sir  John  Johnson.     This  letter  is  worthy  of  preserva- 

Sir  John  Johnson  to  Captain  Brant. 
«  Dear  Sir,  "  ^"'*'''  ^'"'''^  22d,  1787. 

« I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  14th  of  February     1  am 
happy  to  find  things  turned  out  as  you  wished  at  your '.evera 

^Ti:T:  '""''^^r^^^y  --■  ^^^troit,  and  I Ce  r; 

have  the  effect  you  wish  in  preventing  the  Americans  from  in 
reaching  on  your  lands.     Your  conduct,  I  hope,  for  ylro^^      ^ 

Semert  rT  1 "'',"  "^ ^^''"^  ^^^  good'o^inion  thatl^ 
been  entertained  of  you  by  your  friends  the  English  and  such 
as  will  merit  the  continuance  of  their  friendship,^  llpeirajl 


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268 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1787. 


your  decisions  you  will  conduct  yourselves  with  prudence  and 
moderation,  having  always  an  eye  to  the  friendship  that  has  so 
long  subsisted  between  you  and  the  King's  subjects,  upon  whom 
alone  you  can  and  ought  to  depend.  You  Iiave  no  reason  to 
fear  any  breach  of  promise  on  the  part  of  the  King.  Is  he  not 
every  year  giving  fresh  proofs  of  his  friendship  ?  What  greati.r 
could  you  expect  than  is  now  about  to  be  performed,  by  giving 
an  ample  compensation  for  your  losses,  which  is  yet  withheld 
from  us,  his  subjects  ?  Do  not  suffer  bad  men  or  evil  advisers 
to  lead  you  astray  ;  every  thing  that  is  reasonable  and  consist- 
ent with  the  friendship  that  ought  to  be  preserved  between  us, 
will  be  done  for  you  all.  Do  not  suffer  an  idea  to  hold  a  place 
in  your  mind,  that  it  will  be  for  your  interests  to  sit  still  and  see 
the  Americans  attempt  the  posts.*  It  is  for  your  sakes  chiefly, 
if  not  entirely,  that  we  hold  them.  If  you  become  indifferent 
about  them,  they  may  perhaps  be  given  up ;  what  security 
would  you  then  have?  You  would  be  left  at  the  mercy  of  a 
people  whose  blood  calls  aloud  for  revenge  ;  whereas,  by  support- 
ing them,  you  encourage  us  to  hold  them,  and  encourage  the 
new  settlements,  already  considerable,  and  every  day  in*  \g 
by  numbers  coming  in,  who  find  they  can't  live  in  tK  .  .es. 
Many  thousands  are  preparing  to  come  in.  This  increase  of 
his  Majesty's  subjects  will  serve  as  a  protection  for  you,  should 
the  subjects  of  the  States,  by  endeavoring  to  make  farther  en- 
croachments on  you,  disturb  your  quiet.  At  present  I  think 
there  is  little  to  apprehend  from  any  but  the  Southern  States ; 
those  to  the  eastward  are  already  opposed  to  each  other  in 
arms,  t  and  have  shed  blood,  and  the  disorder  seems  to  be  spread- 
ing throughout.  Men  of  character  are  coming  in  here  to  see  if 
no  assistance  will  be  given  them ;  and  the  people  of  New  Eng- 
land, who  were  the  most  violent  at  the  commencement  of  the 
war,  are  now  the  most  desirous  of  returning  under  the  British 
government,  should  Great  Britain  incline  to  receive  thein, 
which  many  think  they  would  not. 

"  Remember  me  in  the  most  friendly  manner  to  Mrs.  Brant 
all  your  family,  and  to  all  my  brothers  in  your  settlement,  and 

*  Oswegatchio,  Oawpgo,  Niagara,  Detroit  and  Mackinaw — wi  hheld  from  the 
United  States,  as  heretofure  stated  in  tlin  text. 

t  This  allusion  refers  to  tlie  memorable  insurrection  of  Captain  Shays,  in  Mas 
■achusetts. 


1787.] 


DESIGNS   OP   GREAT   BRITAIN. 


269 


^11  them  to  be  patient,  and  that  tl,ey  will  find  that  all  that  has 
beeii  pronnsod  them,  coming  within  my  knowledge,  w  1  be  pe^ 
formed.  hope  to  ^e  you  in  the  course  of  tl^  Wrier  Hn 
the  mean  time,  1  remain  with  truth,  'summer ,  in 

"  Dear  Sir, 
•     '•  Your  friend  and 

"  Humble  servant, 

"  John  Johnson."  • 
The  object  of  this  communication  will  be  seen  at  a  glance 
t;is  unfor  unato  that  the  letter  of  Thayend.megea,  givit  the 
private  history  of  the  great  Amphictyonic  councifof  ifeTd^oLs 
.t^pl        ^""''T'-    '^^'^'  ^"«"^^h  can  be  learned  fromThe 
cattered  correspondence  that  remains,  to  show  that  Gr^BrT 
tain  was  by  no  means  an  indifferent  observer  of  the  sto™  t 
hering  m  the  north-west.    It  is  also  evident  that  the  offi™  s^o 
he  crown  m  Canada  were  rejoicing  ir  the  insurrection  of  cln 
am  Shays  m  Massachusetts;  whic^,  though  rtneTome^^^^^^^ 
hretening  importance,  had  been  crushed%ut  a  few  ZTb^ 
fore  he  Baronet's  letter  was  written,  of  which  result  hlh!!. 
not  then  been  apprised.     That  insurrLtion  w^s  a  con    qtit 
the  main,  of  the  weakness  of  the  government  of  the    o  fede 
racy.    Fortunately,  however,  instead  of  workin.  farther  detrl 
mem  to  the  republic,  its  influence  was  not  in^oilrable t 
tnnd.ng  the  states  more  firmly  together,  by  meaiiso    I  Con 

wT'  :   '"'^  T'"'  ^'•''"  ^'^^  ^""^«  ^f  the  old  A  teles  of 
Confederation  in  the  course  of  the  same  year.     There  i  mo  h.r 
feature  m  the  letter  of  Sir  John  deserviL  to  be  noted     T^' 
closes  the  fact,  that  already,  even  so  eady  as  the  year  iVsT 
M  he  British  authorities  imbibed  the  absurd  i  0!^!    fh^' 
people  of  New  Englaird,  who  had  been  first  in  ra"  ^  th  Ind 
ard of  revolt,  wearied  with  their  freedom,  were  selkin'.  w 
memberment  of  the  Union,  that  they  migh7  LwteL': 
back  mto  the  arms  of  their  former  sovereign.    N^Ls  Zt<^ 
eradicated  untn  after  the  failure  of  a  misLble    r^e  "n'" 
he  Canadian  administration  of  Sir  James  H.  Craig,  with  a  wonh 
\ess  fellow  named  John  Henry,  in  1810. 

Oreat  Britain  not  only  continued  to  retain  possession  of  th- 
-th-western  iK>sts,  but  added  to  their  strength.'^U^Z."  '  1' 

♦  Copiodfi^.,,  li.o  original,  among  U,e  Brant  papers. 


*  *mmm  m 


•  oil-*  " 


„*  Mnuli    ' 


*'•*•!  in   m 

■   «.  ..   , 

>■  «  .  ..   / 

■••II  t     vt 

«  H  '  ,1 


on.,:,     H'»« 

i...      .J 


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ni 

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•^'■""!*»|:     \„.:; 

,  L^ 

■L 

27» 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


11787. 


'I  I 


iect,  and  the  policy  by  which  she  was  governed  in  rogavd  to  it, 
the  following  letter  reflects  additional  light.  It  was  addressed 
to  Captain  Brant  by  Major  Matthews,  whose  name  has  already 
occurred  as  an  officer  in  the  suite  of  Sir  Guy  Garleton— who 
had  now  become  Lord  Dorchester.  Matthews  had  been  assign- 
ed to  the  command  of  Detroit,  and  was  on  his  way  thither  when 
the  letter  was  written : — 

Major  Matthews  to  Captain  Brant. 

«  Niagara,  29th  May,  1787.. 
"My  Dear  Friend, 
«  A  few  days  before  I  left  Quebec,  I  had  the  pleasure  to  re 
ceive  your  letter  of  the  3d  April,  and  was  happy  at  the  prospect 
I  had  of  so  soon  answering  it  in  person,  and  once  more  shalcing 
hands  together  upon  our  old  ground.  On  my  arrival  yester- 
day, I  was  much  disappointed  to  hear  that  you  had  left  this 
place,  and  gone  by  a  route  which,  for  the  present,  prevents  oiu 
meeting ;  for  though  there  I's  nothing  I  wish  more  than  to  pay 
you  a  visit  in  your  settlement,  and  to  have  a  conversation  with 
you,  the  despatch  which  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  making  to 
Detroit,  renders  it  impossible.  I  therefore  sit  dov.rn  to  thank  you 
for  the  information  in  yoar  last,  and  to  renew  our  old  agreement 
of  communicating  freely  to  each  other  whatsoever  we  may  know 
or  think  is  for  tlie  mutual  advantage  and  well-being  of  that 
cause,  which  has  always  been  common,  and  which,  I  am  per- 
suaded, is  equally  dear  to  us  both ;  and  being  better  informed  of 
what  relates  to  the  situation  of  affairs  in  this  quarter  than  when 
I  last  wrote  to  you,  I  shall  begin  by  informing  you  of  what  his 
Excellency,  Lord  Dorchester,"  desn-ed  I  would,  should  I  chance 
to  fall  in  with  you.  His  Lordship  wishes  you  should  be  ac- 
quainted that,  when  he  arrived  at  Quebec  last  fall,  it  was  too 
late  to  forward  any  thing  more  than  a  few  provisions  necessary 
for  the  posts  and  Indians,  a  part  of  which  even  could  not  pro- 
ceed on  account  of  the  ice ;  but  that  he  did  not  forget  the  pre- 
sents intended  for  the  Indians  ;  and  had,  iis  soon  as  the  commu- 
nication opened,  ordered  them  to  be  sent  up  from  Montreal.  At 
the  same  time  his  Lordship  was  sorry  to  leam,  that  while  the 
Indians  were  soliciting  his  assistance  in  their  preparations  for 
war,  some  of  the  Six  Nations  had  sent  deputies  to  Albany  to 
treat  with  the  Americans,  who,  it  is  said,  have  made  a  treaty 


17S7.J 


DESIGNS   OP   GREAT   BRITAIN, 


271 


with  them,  granting  permission  to  make  roads  for  the  purpose 
of  coming  to  Niagara ;  but  that,  notwithstanding  these  things,  the 
Indians  should  have  their  presents,  as  they  arc  marks  of  the 
King's  approbation  of  their  former  conduct.     In  future'  his 
Lordship  wishes  them  to  act  as  is  best  for  their  interest ;  he  can- 
not begin  a  war  with  the  Americans,  because  some  of  their  peo- 
ple encroach  and  make  depredations  upon  parts  of  the  Indian 
country;  but  they  must  see  it  is  his  Lordship's  intention  to  de- 
fend the  posts  ;  and  that  while  these  are  preserved,  the  Indians 
must  find  great  security  therefrom,  and  consequently  the  Ame- 
ricans greater  difficulty  in  taking  possession  of  their  lands ;  but 
should  they  once  become  masters  of  the  posts,  they  will  sur- 
round the  Indians,  and  accomplish  their  purpose  with  little  trou- 
ble. From  a  consideration  of  all  whicli,  it  therefore  remains  with 
the  Indians  to  decide  what  is  most  for  their  own  interest,  and  to 
let  his  Lordship  know  their  determination,  that  he  may  take  his 
measures  accordingly ;  but,  whatever  their  resolution  is,  it  should 
be  taken  as  by  one  and  the  same  people,  by  which  means  they 
will  be  respected  and  become  strong ;  but  if  they  divide,  and  act 
one  part  against  the  other,  they  will  become  weak,  and  help  to 
destroy  each  other.     This,  my  dear  Joseph,  is  the  substance  of 
what  his  Lordship  desired  me  to  tell  you,  and  I  request  you 
will  give  his  sentiments  that  mature  consideration  which  their 
justice,  generosity,  and  desire  to  promote  the  welfare  and  happi 
ness  of  the  Indians,  must  appear  to  all  the  world  to  merit. 

"  In  your  letter  to  me,  you  seem  apprehensive  that  the  En- 
glish are  not  very  anxious  about  the  defence  of  the  posts.     You 
will  soon  be  satisfied  that  they  have  nothing  more  at  heart,  pro- 
vided that  it  continues  to  be  the  wish  of  the  Indians,  and  that 
they  rcmam  firm  in  doing  their  part  of  the  business,  by  prevent 
in<r  the  Americans  from  coining  into  their  country,  and  conse 
quently  from  marching  to  the  posts.     On  the  other  hand,  if  the 
Indians  think  it  more  for  their  interest  that  the  Americans 
should  have  possession  of  the  posts,  and  be  established  in  their 
country,  they  ought  to  declare  it,  that  the  'English  need  no 
longer  be  put  to  the  vast  and  unnecessary  expense  and  incon- 
venience of  keeping  posts,  the  chief  object  of  which  is  to  protect 
their  Indian  allies,  and  the  loyalists  who  have  suflered  with    • 
them.    It  is  well-known  that  no  encroachments  ever  have  or 
fiver  will  be  made  by  the  English  upon  the  lands  or  property  of 


j:'. 

( 


•WW  !•«•■» 


i 

f^ 

t 
i^'i 

1 

j»' 

i^V^'H' 

11 

U'' 

^B'^^Hi 

11 

i; 

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vt 

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•    •• 

'Jt 

"15; 


I* 


;»•! 


1:1 


:5 


272 


MPE    OP   BHANT. 


[1787. 


the  Indians  in  consequence  of  their  possessing  the  posts,  how 
far  that  will  be  the  case  if  ever  the  Americans  get  into  them, 
may  very  easily  be  imao:ined,  from  their  hostile  perseverance, 
even  without  that  advantage,  in  driving  the  Indians  off  their 
lands  and  talting  possession  of  them. 

"  In  regard  to  myself,  I  have  to  acquaint  yon,  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  reports  which  reached  Q,uebec  from  the  upper 
country  respecting  the  intentions  of  the  Americans  against  the 
posts,  Lord  Dorchester  has  been  pleased  to  permit  me  to  take  the 
command  of  Detroit,  which  is  garrisoned  by  the  regiment  I  am 
in,  and  has  ordered  that  another  regiment  be  sent  up  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  posts  in  general,  two  companies  of  which,  under 
the  command  of  your  acquaintance,  Captain  Malcolm,  arrived 
with  me  in  the  Seneca,  and  I  am  to  take  two  companies  of  the 
53d  from  hence,  to  reinforce  Detroit ;  so  that  I  think  we  shall 
have  but  little  to  apprehend  from  any  thing  in  the  power  of  the 
Americans  to  attempt.  I  confess  to  you  I  have  no  idea  they 
have  any  serious  intention  of  the  kind,  the  few  troops  they  can 
muster  not  being  sufficient  to  support  their  government ;  they 
are,  besides,  in  rebellion,  and  cutting  each  others'  throats.  A  peo- 
ple in  this  situation  are  but  ill  able  to  march  considerable  armies 
with  artillery  and  the  necessary  stores,  (which  they  must  have 
to  be  successful,)  through  a  distant  and  difficult  country. 

"  Inclosed  I  send  you  a  letter  from  Sir  John  Johnson.  It 
will  probably  inform  you  that  the  presents  mentioned  by  Lord 
Dorchester  are  sent  up ;  they  crossed  the  lake  in  the  ship  with 
me,  and  are  stored  here,  waiting  the  arrival  of  Sir  John  for  the 
distribution  of  them. 

"  On  your  way  to  the  Southern  Council,  I  shall  hope  for  the 
satisfaction  of  seeing  you  at  Detroit ;  in  the  meantime  I  remain, 
with  very  sincere  regard, 

"  My  dear  friend, 

"  Your  faithful  and  obedient  servant, 

"  R.  Matthews. 

"  If  Mrs.  Brant  is  with  you,  I  beg  you  will  recomnjend  me  in 
the  kindest  manner  to  her." 

There  cati  be  no  misunderstanding  touching  the  purport  of 
this  letter.  Lord  Dorchester  would  no  more  commit  himself 
on  the  Question  of  a  direct  participation,  in  the  event  of  actual 


"  limm  '« 


1788.J 


DESIGNS   OP   GREAT   BRITAIN. 


273 


declared  hostilities  between   the  Indian  Confederacy  and  the 
Aniencans,  than  Lord  Sidney  had  done.     Captain,  now  Majo 
Matthews  was  anxious  to  confer  with  Captain  Brant  "for  the 
mutnai  advantage  and  well-being  of  that  cause,  which  had 

l^Zr.^lT"'7'''  ""^  equally  dear,"  &c.  His  Lordship 
wished  the  Indians  to  act  as  was  best  for  their  own  interest-"  he 
•  could  not  bsffin  a  war  with  the  Americans,"  but  "they  must 

see  hat  It  w.as  his  Lordship's  intention  to  de'tbnd  the  pot's;  and 
while  these  were  preserved,  the  Indians  must  find  great  ecu 

"IT;  "^1  *''  ^'""^'^""^  ^^^^^-  difficult;in  takinl 
"possession  of  their  lands,"  &c.     Indeed,  thewhole  tenor  of  th? 

ctter  was  to  promote  a  feeling  of  hostility  in  the  bosoms  of  the 
Indians  gainst  the  United  States,  with  a  mutual  understanding 
that  the  British  government  was  maintaimng  the  posts  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Indians;  while  the  Indian  hosrilities,'should  h  y 
ensue,  would  serve  to  check  or  prevent  the  Americans  from  ob 
taming  possession  of  them. 

J^''"'  r^r'^^'  P^'^^^d  nor  written  records,  from  which  any 
additional  information  can  be  drawn  respecting  the  conduct  and 
niovements  of  Captain  Brant  during  the  resuiue  of  thryear 
lib7.  The  delay  in  the  transmission  of  his  despatches  to  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  as  mentioned  in  the  letter  ol 
General  Knox,  had  of  course  disappointed  the  Indians  in  their 
expectation  of  an  early  reply  from  Congress.  In  consequence 
of  this  delay,  another  grand  council  was  determined  upon  bv  the 
western  ndians,  of  which,  among  the  papers  of  Caplain  Brant. 
IS  the  following  notification  to  his  nation  :— 

Message   from   the   Hurons  op  Detroit  to  the  Five 

Nations. 

"Brethren,  '' January  2Ut,  1788. 

"Nothing  yet  ha^  reached  us  in  answer  to  the  messages  sent 

to  the  Americans  on  the  breaking  up  of  our  General  Council 

nor  IS  It  now  probable  we  shall  hear  from  them  before  our  nexJ 

meeting  takes  place;  a  circumstance  that  ought  to  expedite  us 

n  our  business.     The  nations  this  way  have  adhered  hitherto 

0  the  engagements  entered  into  before  we  parted,  at  least  as  far 

as  has  come  to  our  knowjedge  ;  and  we  intend  immediately  to 

<^al]   them  to  this  council-fire,  which  shall  be  uncovered  at 


f  m>>:»  m 


<    '■• 


I 


Hi"      .  ? 


,ip«.."'~'* 


jfH 

■J 


4    • 


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1              ■     '' 

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•• 


If 

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■'  ■  >* 


It"* 


^'  ■'"«;, 

■       ►>»: 

■    4n 

•Ni 

>.. 

:,,<•». 

274 


LIFK   OP   BRANT. 


[1788. 


the  time  ni)pointed ;  that  without  farther  delay  some  decisive 
mejtsures  may  bo  finally  fixed  upon  for  our  future  interest,  which 
must  govern  hereafter  the  conduct  of  all  the  nations  in  our  alli- 
ance ;  and  this  we  intend  to  be  the  last  council  for  the  purpose ; 
therefore  it  is  needless  for  us  to  urge  farther  the  indispensable 
necessity  of  all  nations  being  present  at  the  conclusion  of  affairs 
tending  so  much  to  their  own  future  welfare  and  happiness.  And 
we  do  in  a  particular  manne-  're  you,  the  Five  Nations, 
to  be  strong  and  punctual  in  your  promise  of  being  with  us 
early  and  in  time  ;  and  that  not  only  the  warriors,  but  the  chiefs 
of  your  several  nations  attend  on  this  occasion.  We  shall  there- 
fore endeavor  to  have  as  many  of  the  western  and  southern  In- 
dians as  possible  collected. 

'^String's  of  Wampum.^' 

Accompanying  this  address  to  the  Five  Nations,  was  another 
of  similar  import,  (save  only  that  it  expressed  the  dissatisfaction 
of  the  Hurons  at  the  proceedings  of  the  former  grand  council,) 
directed  to  the  other  tribes  of  Canadian  Indians,  and  summon- 
ing them  to  appear  at  the  great  council-fire  of  the  Confederacy 
in  the  Spring. 

It  will  appear  by  the  three  letters  next  successively  to  be  in- 
troduced, that  Captain  Brant  was  preparing  in  March  to  attend 
the  proposed  council,  and  that,  having  attended  the  said  council, 
his  views  became  more  pacific.  He  had,  however,  begun  to  dis- 
trust all  the  nations  of  his  own  confederacy,  excepting  only  the 
Mohawks— and  probably  not  without  reason.  The  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  in  the  Antumn  of  the  preceding  year,  had  giv- 
en instructions  to  Major  General  St.  Clair,  then  Governor  of  the 
North-western  territory,  to  inquire  particularly  into  the  temper 
of  the  Indians,  and  if  he  foimd  it  still  hostile,  to  endeavor  to 
hold  as  general  a  treaty  with  them  as  he  could  convene  ;  and 
although  the  purchase  of  the  Indian  right  to  the  soil  was  not  to 
be  considered  a  primary  object,  yet  he  was  instructed  if  possible 
to  extinguish  their  title  as  far  westward  as  the  Mississippi  river. 
It  will  be  seen  presently,  that  Brant  had,  even  thus  early,  rea- 
son to  suppose,  that  in  a  war  with  the  United  States  the  majority 
of  the  Five  Nations  would  not  be  found  in  arms.  The  gentle- 
man to  whom  two  of  these  letters  were  addressed,  was  Patrick 
.langan,  Esq.  private  secretary  to  Sir  John  Johnson ;— 


178S.J 


INDIAN   COUNCILS    AT   THE    WEST. 


276 

Captain  Brant  to  Lieutenant  Lanoan.* 

"  (irand  Itivcr,  March  20th,  1788. 
"Dear  Sir,  ' 

« I  hope  you  huve  enjoyed  your  health  since  I  had  the  plea- 
sure  to  see  you  last.    We  have  had  no  particular  news  here  from 
thP  southward, only  they  are  preparing  to  have  another  great  Coun- 
cil m  that  country  early  in  the  Spring,  and  I  am  obliged  to  at- 
tend myself  there.     As  for  the  Five  Nations,  most  of  them  have 
sold  themselves  to  the  Devil— I  mean  to  the  Yonkeys.     What- 
ever they  do  after  this,  it  must  be  for  the  Yankeys— not  for  the 
Indians  or  the  English.     We  mean  to  speak  to  them  once  more. 
We  must,  in  the  first  place,  get  the  Mohawks  away  from  the  Bay 
of  auinte.    As  soon  as  we  can  get  them  here,  we  shall  begin  to 
argue  to  the  Five  Nations,  and  will  show  our  example  of  get- 
ting together  ourselves  ;  also,  we  shall  know  who  is  for  the  Yan- 
keys and  who  is  not.     I  forgot  to  mention  to  Sir  John  I  want 
ed  very  much  to  have  the  papers  here.     I  mean  the  list  of  our 
losses  and  claims,  and  our  nanies.    I  should  be  much  obliged  to 
you  if  you  would  be  so  kind  as  to  send  me  those  papers,  or  the 
copies  of  them,  as  there  are  some  disputes  here  concerning  those 
lists.    I  should  be  exceeding  happy  if  you  could  get  me  a  quar- 
ter of  a  pound  of  sewing  thread,  of  silk,  of  different  colors,  and 
send  me  the  account  and  tlie  money  I  o-,  ,  <:  you  before.     Also  I 
wish  you  could  get  me  a  pipe  tomahawk.  Please  to  get  the  best, 
if  you  can. 

"  Sir,  I  remain 

,  "  Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"Joseph  Brant. 
"  To  Lieutenant  Langan." 

There  is  no  farther  information  of  Brant  or  his  movements 
until  the  closing  week  of  August,  at  which  time  he  was  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Detroit,  preparing  to  mingle  in  the  deliberations 
of  the  great  council  spoken  of  in  the  preceding  J  ?tter.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  copy  of  a  letter  found  among  his  papers,  written 
at  this  time : 

•  Copied  from  the  original  by  the  author. 


'  •li.i.a  ^ 


t  »"' 


.  « 


!• 


mm 


5- 

',u'., 

\  .' 

r 

k 

276 


LIFB   OF   BRANT. 


Ll78a 


Captain  Brant  to  Sir  John  Johnson. 

'*  Huron  Village,  mouth  of  the  Detroit.  ) 
28th  August,  1788.      \ 

"Sir, 
"  I  am  luippy  to  inform  yon  of  our  having  arrived  at  Detroit 
the  10th  inst.  Tlie  party  with  Capt.  David  who  went  by  wa- 
ter, and  those  with  myself  who  went  by  land,  being  so  lucky  as 
to  arrive  the  same  inst.  And  wishing  to  lose  as  little  time  us 
possible,  the  next  day  we  met  the  principal  men  of  the  Hurons, 
Chippewas,  Ottawius,  und  Pottawattumies.  As  they  had  lost  three 
of  their  Chiefs,  we  went  through  our  ancient  custom  of  condol- 
ing with  them,  by  giving  about  10,000  wampum,  is  we  could 
not  proceed  with  our  public  business  till  such  time  as  that  cere- 
mony was  over ;  when,  upon  examining  into  the  business  we 
came  about,  I  plainly  foresaw  numberless  difficulties,  owing  to 
the  people  here  not  being  so  unanimous  as  the  situation  of  affairs 
requires.  The  Wyandots  do  not  wish  to  attend  at  the  place  that 
was  last  Fall  agreed  upon,  but  wish  to  have  the  Council  at  this 
place  ;  but  that  wo  strenuously  opposed,  and  have  got  them  to 
consent  to  meet  at  the  Miamis ;  their  reason  is,  I  believe,  that 
they  would  wish  to  have  a  private  and  separate  meeting  with 
the  Americans  to  settle  matti^rs  for  themselves.  On  the  o*'--- 
hand,  the  Twightwees  or  Miamis  are  quite  the  reverse, — wish- 
ing by  no  means  to  fall  in  with  the  Hurons  in  their  way  ot 
thinking,  but  would  wish  to  be  at  open  war  with  the  Americans. 
Thus  are  matters  here  situated.  However,  I  have  iiome  reason 
to  think  that  if  we  can  get  them  at  the  appointed  place  of  ren- 
dezvous, we  will  be  able  to  point  out  to  them  their  error,  and 
get  them  again  to  adopt  the  measures  that  the  whole  of  us 
/igreed  upon,  and  cause  that  unanimity  to  subsist  among  us, 
which  is  so  requisite  in  our  situation,  and  without  which  we 
cannot  expect  the  business  will  terminate  so  much  to  our  satis- 
faction as  it  otherwise  would.  In  case  that  they  should  be 
headstrong,  and  no^  wish  to  fall  in  with  our  plan  of  operation,  I 
shall  scarcely  know  how  to  act  upon  it,  but  shall  take  every  ne- 
cessary precaution  to  prevent  the  minds  of  those  who  are  unani 
mous  being  any  ways  inflamed  by  those  nations  in  opposition 
and  wavering.  Still  I  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  writing 
to  vou  a  more  favorable  account  after  we  have  had  a  meeting. 
Oil  I  it,  McKee  has  given  us  every  assistaJice  that  he  could  towards 


.i})t. 


1788.J 


INDIAN-   COUNCILS   AT    THE    WEST. 


277 


fonvard.Mfi:  o,.r  business,  and  I  expoct  will  attend  the  Touncil  at 
he  M.unus,  which  I  sincerely  hope  will  now  be  soon.     Upon 
leaving  Nmgan.,  I  Ibnnd  fror,.  the   multiplicity  of   business 
wh.ch  we  should  have,  that  it  would  be  hiirhly  requisite  to  have 
a  nmn  with  us  who  understood  the  English  language,  and  ca- 
puble  oi  transacting  business,  for  W.ich  purpose  we  have  thonght 
proper  to  appoint  Ralpii  Clement,  and  will  make  him  some 
allowance  out  of  the  money  we  are  to  receive  next  smnmer 
for  the  lands  sold  the  Americans.     In  the  meantime  I  have  to  re- 
quest  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  allow  him  something  towards  de. 
fraymg  his  necessary  expenses  out  of  the  Indian  store  at  Ni- 
Jigara.     Upon  application  made  to  Col.  Butler,  he  did  not  think 
proper  to  advance  him  any  thing  without  he  should  have  your 
order  for  It.     As  to  the   naws  from  the  Southern   Indians  and 
American  Commissioners,  we  have  some  accounts,  but  must 
refer  you  to  Capt.  McKee,  who  writes  you  by  this  vessel,  for  the 
particulars.     This  is  the  fourth  letter  I  have  written  you  .since  I 
liad  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  last. 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

,,  c-     r  '      "  "  ^^^^^^  Brant 

«  Sir  John  Johnson." 

From  the  nomadic  habits  of  the  Indians,  and  the  long  dis^ 
tance-s  most  of  their  nations  were  obliged  to  travel,  the  gather 
ing  of  their  great  council  was  a  work  of  time.  Thus  it  will  bo 
seen  that  six  weeks  more  elapsed,  before  the  kindling  of  the 
council-fire,  and  how  much  longer  it  is  impossible  to  tell,  from 
the  brokenness  of  the  correspondence  of  the  chief  who  wjis  pro- 
bably the  only  writer  among  them.  On  the  7th  of  October  the' 
tuptain  wrote  as  follows  :— 

Captain  Brant  to  Lieutenant  Langan. 

«  Mia7nis  River,  7t!i  October,  l'^88 
"Dear  Sir, 

"The  business  I  have  been  obliged  to  attend  to  since  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  yon,  had  so  much  taken  up  my  attention, 
and  kept  me  so  busily  employed,  that  I  have  scarcely  had  time 
to  write  any  of  my  friends.  'And,  indeed,  nothing  worth  com- 
niumcatmg  has  occurred,  or  otherwise  I  should  have  strained 
«  pomt  to  havti  dropt  you  a  line,  us  my  intention  always  was  to 


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278 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1788. 


correspond  with  you,  who,  I  am  certain,  would  at  an^  time  spare 
a  moment  to  acknowledge  the  receipt.  1  have  done  myself  the 
pleasure  of  writing  four  letters  to  Sir  John,  who,  I  hope,  has  re- 
ceived them,*  as  I  would  wish  to  give  him  every  information 
affecting  our  proceedings.  Probably  his  time  is  too  busily  em- 
ployed to  attend  to  them,  and  that  it  would  be  more  agreeable 
to  him  if  I  corresponded  with  3'ou  on  public  business.  I  should 
be  happy  to  hear  from  time  to  time  whether  my  conduct  met 
with  his  approbation,  as  I  would  not  wish  to  act  in  any  manner 
that  he  would  not  approve ;  he  being  at  the  head  of  the  depart- 
ment, is  the  one  we  look  to  for  advice. 

"  Upon  my  arrival  at  Detroit  I  found  the  nations  there.  All 
had  forgot  our  last  Fall's  agreements,  and  were  averse  to  attend 
the  council  at  this  place.  However,  we  talked  over  matters 
with  them,  and  convinced  them  of  the  necessity  there  was  for 
our  being  unanimous',  and  determining  the  business  that  has 
been  so  long  in  agitation,  and  after  some  time,  I  prevailed,  and 
have  got  them  all  here.  After  waiting  at  this  place,  for  near 
five  weeks,  the  arrival  of  the  Shawanese,  Miamis,  Onias,  and 
the  rest  of  the  nations  westward  of  this,  are  at  last  arrived ;  so 
that  I  am  in  hopes  in  a  few  days  to  be  able  to  give  you  the  par- 
ticulars of  our  meeting.  I  have  still  my  doubts  whether  we 
will  all  join  or  not,  some  being  no  ways  inclined  for  peaceable 
methods.  The  Hurons,  Chippewas,  Ottawas,  Pottawattamies, 
and  Delawares,  will  join  with  us  in  trying  lenient  steps,  and 
having  a  boundary  line  fixed  ;  and,  rather  than  enter  headlong 
into  a  destructive  war,  will  give  up  a  small  part  of  their  country. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  Shawanese,  Miamis,  and  Kickapoos, 
who  are  now  so  much  addicted  to  horse-stealing  that  it  will  be 
a  difficult  task  to  break  them  of  it,  as  that  kind  of  business  is 
their  best  harvest,  will  of  course  declare  for  war,  and  not  giving 
up  any  of  their  country,  which,  I  am  afraid,  will  be  the  means  of 
our  separating.  They  are,  I  believe,  determined  not  to  attend 
the  treaty  with  the  Americans.  Still  I  hope  for  the  best.  As 
the  major  part  of  the  nations  are  of  our  opinions,  the  rest  may 
be  brought  to,  as  nothing  shall  be  wanting  on  my  part  to  con- 

•  One  only  of  these  lias  been  discovered— thnt  of  tlie  25th  of  August,  on  the  pre- 
ceding page.  The  author  hns  made  many  efforts  10  obtain  the  papers  of  Sir  John 
Johnson,  where  these  letters,  probably,  may  yet  be  found — but  without  success, 
They  are  either  scattered  and  lost,  or  have  been  taken  to  England. 


1789.J 


INDIAN   COUNCILS    AT   THE    WEST. 


279 


vince  them  of  their  error.  I  sincerely  hope  our  business  may 
terminate  to  our  general  interest  and  satisfaction.  We  have  not 
as  yet  entered  upon  public  matters,  as  the  Shawanese  have  a 
great  feast,  which  will  take  up  a  couple  of  days,  after  which  we 
will  have  a  general  meeting,  and  then  we  will  be  certain  of 
each  other's  opinions.  Till  then,  I  am,  with  complhnents  to  Sir 
John  and  Mrs.  Glaus, 

"  Your  most  obed'^  ''-■end,     ' 

"And  very  nimble  serv't, 

"Jos.  Brant. 
«  P.  Lanffan." 


J      ,     i- 


««Htiii    7 

MID 

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»|i» 

M  m 

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t 

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■J 

.  »• 

The  tone  of  the  three  immediately  preceding  letters,  is  more 
pacific  than  might  have  been  anticipated.    Indeed,  they  seem 
to  indicate  a  change  in  the  intentions  of  the  writer,  which  it  will 
be  found  somewhat  difficult  to  reconcile  with  portions  of  his 
subsequent  conduct.     He  is  in  these  letters-particularly  the 
last  addressed  to  Lieutonant  Langan,  though  intended  more  es 
pecially  for  the  information  of  Sir  John  Johnson-the  friend  of 
peace-perhaps  being  compelled  to  assume  that  attitude  by  the 
force  of  circumstances-having  reason  to  anticipato  the  success- 
temporary^  as  it  proved-which  was  to  crown  the  Indian  diplo 
macy  of  General  St.  Clair.     In  his  first  letter  to  Langan,  Brant 
had  dechired  that  "  the  Six  Nations  had  sold  themselves  to  the 
devil,    or,  m  other  words,  "to  the  Yankees,"   which  in  his 
opinion  was  equivalent  thereto-and  the  result  was  .'  ?  ortly  af 
terward  such  as  to  sustain  his  sagacity. 

No  records  of  the  proceedings  of  the  grand  council  so  loner  as- 
sembling  m  the  Autumn  of  1788,  have  been  discovered,  antho^uffh 
It  appears  by  a  letter  from  Captain  Brant  to  his  friend  Matthews 
who  had  returned  once  more  to  Quebec,  written  in  March  1789 
that  all  the  proceedings  and  speeches  had  been  forwarded—bv 
Captain  M'Kee  probably— to  Lord  Dorchester.     The  presump. 
tion  IS,  that  the  council  came  to  no  harmonious  conclusion  in- 
asmuch as  a  treaty  was  shortly  afterward  held  with  the  Ameri 
cans  at  Fort  Harmar,  which  was  attended  by  only  a  part  of  the 
Indians,  while  its  proceedings  were  subsequently  disavowed  by 
other  and  the  larger  portions  of  the  nations. 
Be  these  things,  however,  as  they  may,  on  the  2d  of  May  fol 


'h 


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'   1  '  'IHH 


280 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1789. 


lowing,  (1789,*)  General  St.  Clair  wrote  to  President  Washing- 
ton from  New- York,  announcing  that  on  the  9th  of  the  preced- 
ing month  of  January,  he  had  concluded  two  separate  treaties 
with  the  Indians  assembled  in  council  at  Fort  Harmar ;  the  first 
with  the  sachems  and  warriors  of  the  Five  Nations,  the  Mo- 
hawks excepted — and  the  second  with  the  sachems  and  war- 
riors of  the  Wyandot,  Delaware,  Ottawa,  Chippewa,  Pottawat- 
tame  and  Sac  Nations.  The  reason  of  these  separate  negotia- 
tions, as  explained  by  General  St.  Clair,  was  found  in  the  Ro- 
man maxim—"  Divide  et  impera."  "  A  jealousy,"  says  the 
General,  "subsisted  between  them,  which  I  was  not  willing  to 
'•  lessen  by  appearing  to  consider  them  as  one  people.  They 
"  do  not  so  consider  themselves  ;  and  1  am  persuaded  their  ge- 
"  neral  confederacy  is  entirely  broken.  Indeed,  it  would  not  be 
"  very  difficult,  if  circumstances  required  if,  to  set  them  at  deadly 
"  variance."!"  This  Machiavelian  policy  of  dividinc;  to  conquer 
— of  poising  nations,  tribes,  and  factions  against  each  other,  that 
all  may  the  more  easily  be  crushed  at  will — is  an  ancient  mode 
of  war,  and  has  been  practised  by  every  government  having  the 
opportunity.  Its  morality,  however,  cannot  be  defended— more 
especially  in  regard  to  the  simple  children  of  the  American 
forests,  against  whom  it  has  been  prosecuted  with  the  greatest 
success.  Still,  there  was  an  approximation  to  justice,  in  a  pe- 
cuniary point  of  view,  toward  the  Indians,  in  these  negotiations 
of  General  St.  Clair,  which  had  not  been  previously  counte- 
nanced by  Congress.  From  the  date  of  the  peace  with  England, 
to  the  reception  of  the  address  of  October,  1786,  from  the  Grand 
Council  at  Huron  Village,  Congress  had  acted  upon  the  princi- 
ple that  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain  invested  them  with  the 
fee  of  all  the  Indian  lands  within  the  boundaries  of  the  United 
St-tites.  The  address  of  the  Indian  Council,  of  December,  1786, 
written,  as  has  been  assumed,  by  Captain  Brant,  asserted  a  con- 
trary principle — viz :  that  the  Indians  were  the  only  rightful 
proprietors  of  the  soil.  And  this  principle  was  acceded  to  in 
the  instructions  of  Congress  to  General  St.  Clair,  of  October, 
1787.  and  July,  1788.1    However  greatly  the  Indians  may  have 

»  Erroneously  dated,  \Tay  2'l.  17S8,  in  the  State  Paper-,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
dates  of  the  treaties,  and  by  the  Report  of  the  Si<iTetary  of  War,  July  7,  1789. 

+  St.  Clair's  Ittter,  Am.  State  Papers,  Vol.  IV.  p.  10. 

{  V-!!.".  Stile  P.ipers,  Vol.  IV.  p.  9 ;  and  report  of  tbe  Secretary  of  War,  July  15, 
1789— aame  vol.  p.  13. 


1789.] 


INDIAN   NEGOTIATIONS. 


281 


been  defrauded  since  that  date,  such  has  at  least  been  the  basis 
of  all  subsequent  negotiations  with  them  for  lands. 

Although  the  Mohawks  were  not  parties  to  the  treaty  of  Fort 
Harmar,  yet  it  appears  that  they,  at  least  their  chief,  Thayenda- 
negea,  must  have  been  present  at  its  negotiation.     This  fact  is 
disclosed  in  a  passage  in  his  letter  to  Major  Matthews,  already 
referred  to  :    "  You'll  hear  by  this  opportunity  the  result  of  our 
"jaunt  to  the  southward,  as  Captain  M'Kee  has  sent  down  all 
"the  proceedings  of  our  councils  with  the  American  Commis- 
"sioners,  speeches,  and  answers.     Our  proceedings  have  been 
"such  as  I  hope  will  be  approved  of     I  must  farther  mention 
"that  much  may  yet  be  ,lone,  if  we  meet  with  necessary  assist- 
"ance,  as  business  cannot  be  carried  on  in  the  upper  country  to 
"advantage  without  the  attendance  of  the  Five  Nations,  which 
"  they  cannot  do  without  being  more  amply  supplied  than  hereto- 
«  fore  with  ammunition,  provisions,  &c.  I  have  ever  been  forward 
"in  pointing  out  what  1  thought  would  tend  to  the  ^ood  of  -ar 
"service,  and  which  has  ever  been  attended  to,  notwkhstanding 
"  that  my  friends  below  seem  to  credit  these  reports.    Still,  my 
"attachment  to  government  is  such,  that  personal  injury  will 
"not  have  sufficient  weight  to  make  me  swerve  from  the  dury  I 
"  owe  my  King."* 

There  is  an  allusion,  in  the  closing  sentences  of  this  quotation, 
to  certain  "private  griefs"  of  the  writer,  requiring  an  explana- 
tion. Captain  Brant  was  no  more  exempt  than  other  men  from 
the  ill-will  and  evil  machinations  of  the  envious  and  jealous. 
"Great  honors  are  great  burdens"  as  well  among  the  red  men 
as  the  vvhite  ;  and  it  was  the  fate  of  the  noble  Mohawk  to  en- 
counter his  full  share  of  trials  of  this  description.  Difficulties 
had  already  sprung  up  in  the  administration  of  his  aifairs,  not 
only  with  the  Provincial  Governinent,  in  regard  to  the  nature 
of  the  title  which  the  Mohawks  were  to  receive  of  the  lands 

•  Letter  from  Joseph  Brant  to  Capt.  Matthews,  March  8,  1789,  among  the  Brant 
papers.  Writing  to  Governor  Clinton  respecting  the  conduct  of  Captain  Brant 
touching  St.  Clair's  proceedings  at  Fort  Harmar,  President  Washington  said- 
Captam  Brant  has  not  been  candid  in  his  account  of  General  St.  Clair,  nor  done 
jusl.ce  >n  his  representation  of  matters  at  Muskingum.  I-  b  notorious  that  he  used 
nl  the  art  and  mfluence  of  which  he  was  possessed  t.  prevent  any  treaty  being 
held ;  and  that,  except  in  a  small  degree,  General  St.  Cl^ir  aimed  at  no  more  land 
by  the  treaty  of  Muskingum  th-n  had  been  coded  l>y  the  preceding  treaties."-/,**. 
icrfromPnsiilenl  Washington  to  Governor  Clintm,  Dec.  I,  1790. 
VOL.  II  19  .  " 


K'lM-.i 


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MMI.IHN 


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li 


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282  I.IVE   OP   BRANT.  [1789 

granted  them  on  the  Oiiise  or  Grand  River,  but  also  between  the 
chief  and  some  of  the  Indians  themselves ;  not  Mohawks,  but 
straa:glers  from  other  tribes  of  the  Iroquois  Confederacy.  Dur- 
ing the  protracted  absence  of  the  Captain  to  the  councils  of  the 
preceding  year,  in  the  country  of  the  great  lakes,  it  appears  that 
a  council  of  disaffected  Indians  had  been  held  at  Montreal ;  tho 
object  of  which  was  to  denounce  the  conduct  of  Brant,  but  in 
what  respects  does  not  exactly  appear.  Strong  complaints 
were  preferred  against  him,  however,  at  that  council,  "  not  only 
"  in  the  name  of  the  Five  Nations,  but  by  some  of  his  relations 
"  and  intimate  friends,"  under  circumstances,  and  with  an  air  so 
imposing,  as  to  give  serious  alarm  to  his  friends  at  the  castle 
of  St.  Lewis. 

Ori  the  3d  of  January,  1789,  Major  Matthews  addressed  a 
long  letter  to  his  Mohawk  friend,  on  the  subject  of  that  council, 
and  the  charges  then  and  there  preferred  against  him.  This 
letter  was  written  by  Matthews  with  the  knowledge  and  appro- 
bation of  a  distinguished  personage,  who,  althougli  his  name  is 
not  given,  must  have  been  Lord  Dorchester,  Major  Matthews 
did  not  specify  the  charges  made  against  his  friend,  and  they 
can  only  be  vaguely  surmised  from  the  following  extract:  "  The 
«  r'.ircumstances  which  have  been  alleged  against  you,  you  have 
«  no  doubt  been  minutely  informed  of.  It  is  therefore  unneces- 
"  sary,  and  would  be  painful  to  me,  to  recapitulate  them.  Your 
« friend*  wishes  you  to  reflect  seriously  upon  the  fatal  coiise- 
"quences  that  must  attend  a  misunderstanding  and  disunion  of 
«  your  nation,  and  of  those  Indians  who  might  make  the  settle- 
"  ment  upon  the  Grand  River  a  happy  retreat  for  themselves  and 
*'  their  posteriiy,  by  a  cordial  and  friendly  union.  How  materi- 
«  ally  the  contrary  must  weaken  their  interest,  and  yours  in  par- 
"  ticular,  in  the  great  scale  of  the  Indian  Confederacy ;  and  how 
«  heavy  the  blame  must  ftiU  upon  whoever  shall  be  considi  red 
"the  promoter  of  so  great  a  calamity.  He  therefore  recom- 
«  mends  to  you,  as  the  safest  and  surest  road  to  consequence  nnJ 
"  fame,  to  effect,  without  loss  of  time,  a  perfect  reconciliation 
"  with  your  friends  and  fellow-settlers ;  convincing  them,  by  your 
"mildness  and  generosity,  and  still  more  by  a  strict  attention  to 
"justice,  that  you  are  worthy  of  thi. '.:  confidence ;  exert  all  your 
"  powers  in  establishing  perfect  union  and  friendship  among 

*  Lord  Dorchester  doubtless,  meaning. 


1789.]  DIFFICULTIES    WITH    HIS    OWN    PEOPLE.  283 

"your  own  nation,  and  you  will  convince  those  at  a  distance 
"that  you  arc  capable  and  worthy  of  cementing  a  general  union 
"  for  good  purposes. 

"Having  thus  far  given  you  the  sentiments  of  a  hearty  well- 
«  wisher,  I  cannot  conclude  without  adding  from  myself,  in  the 
"language  imd  with  the  heart  of  an  old  and  sincere  friend,  that 
"I  fbel  more  sensibly  than  I  can  find  words  to  express,  for  the 
"  critical  situation  in  which  every  person  who  was  present  at  the 
"  Council  must  consider  you  to  stand  with  your  nation.     For 
"  my  own  part  1  could  scarce  believe  my  own  eyes  and  ears, 
"  wlion  I  saw  and  heard  our  old  friends,  whose  hands  and 
"  hearts  have  been  so  long  joined  together  in  one  common  cause, 
"pour  out  complaints  against  you  ;  and  they  did  it  at  thr  -.ame 
"  time  Avith  such  reluctance  and  concern,  that  it  was  the  more 
"  aifecting.     It  is  impossible  that  men  who  were  born,  brought 
"  up,  who  have  so  oft  fought  by  each  others'  sides,  and  bled  V 
"  gethcr,  can  seriojisly  disagree.     The  whole  must  be  a  misun- 
"  derstanding,  and  must  be  explained  with  reconciliation.     It  is 
"noble  ond  generous  to  acknowledge  an  error,  and  mutually  to 
«  forgive  injuries ;  and,  my  dear  Joseph,  listen  to  mine,  and  to 
"the  voice  of  your  friends,  who  wish  your  happiness  by  seeing 
"you  so  firmly  re-united  with  your  own  flesh  and  blood  as  to 
"resist  any  i)ower  on  earth  that  would  separate    you  from 
"them."* 

It  is  from  the  reply  of  Captain  Brant  to  this  communication, 
that  the  brief  reference  to  the  proceedings  of  the  western  coun- 
cils has  been  qiioted.  In  regard  to  the  proceedings  at  Montreal 
to  which  his  attention  had  been  so  earnestly  invited  by  his  cor- 
respondent, the  answer  of  Captain  Brant  was  full  and  frank, 
manifesting  on  his  own  part,  a  feeling  of  dignified  and  con- 
scious rectitude.  The  charges  themselves  were  not  specified  by 
the  chief  in  his  defence,  but  the  inference  deduced  from  his  lan- 
guage is,  that  his  integrity  had  been  impeached  in  regard  to 
their  lands,  and  his  loyalty  questioned  to  the  King ;  and  farther, 
that  ho  had  been  censured  for  introducing  a  few  white  settlers 
upon  the  Indian  hinds — his  object  in  so  doing,  being  to  benefit 
the  Indians  by  the  better  examples  of  the  whites  in  husbandry, 
and  also  by  the  introduction  of  some  of  the  mechanic  arts    • 

♦  Extracted  from  tUo  original  lutter  of  Capt.  Matiliews,  among  the  JJrant  papci^. 


lllllt««  •• 

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. 


284 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


[1789. 


among  them.  He  regrets  that  his  enemies,  few  in  number,  as  ho 
says,  had  availed  tlieinsulvos  of  liis  absence  to  assail  his  cha- 
racter, at  a  moment,  too,  when  in  a  distant  country  he  was  ex- 
erting all  his  energies  for  the  benolit  of  his  people  ;  and  regrets 
still  more  that  his  friends  in  Montreal  had  listened  to  the 
charges  for  a  moment,  until  after  he  could  have  a  hearing.  If 
he  liad  erred  at  all,  he  maintained  that  it  could  only  have  been  in 
the  warmth  of  his  ardour  in  promoting  the  substantial  interests 
of  his  nation.  In  the  course  of  his  letter,  he  pointed  with  modest 
exultation  to  the  proceedings  of  a  full  Council  of  the  Five  Na 
tions,  held  at  Niagara,  in  presence  of  the  agent  and  the  com 
manding  officer,  subsequent  to  the  denunciation  at  Montreal,  by 
which  his  conduct  had  been  approved.  Should  the  proceedings 
of  this  council  be  insufficient  to  remove  "  the  censure  thrown  uj)- 
"  on  him  by  a  seditious  and  discontented  few,  and  make  the 
"  complainants  appear  in  their  proper  light,"  the  Captain  sug- 
gested that  he  should  make  application  to  the  agents  at  Detroit 
and  Niagara  for  certificates  of  his  conduct  during  the  war  and 
since  the  peace  ;  and  thus  provided,  he  would  repair  to  head-quar- 
ters with  all  the  principal  men,  both  sachems  and  warriors,*  of 
all  the  nations  settled  in  that  country,  and  let  them  speak  freely. 
After  which,  he  hoped  to  stand  better  with  "  the  great  men  be- 
low" than  he  had  reason  to  suppose  he  did  at  that  time. 

With  the  conclusion  of  the  treaties  of  January,  1789,  by  Ge- 
neral St.  Clair,  the  purpose  of  forming  a  grand  Indian  Confede- 
racy, to  include  the  Five  Nations,  which  should  be  lasting, 
was  defeated,  at  least  for  that  time  ;  and  although  peace  had  not 
been  restored  to  the  south-western  settlements  on  the  Ohio,  yet 
the  name  of  Captain  Brant  does  not  again  appear  in  connexion 
with  the  affairs  of  the  western  Indians  during  the  residue  of  the 
year  1789  and  the  two  succeeding  years.  It  appears,  however, 
by  the  copy  of  a  letter  found  among  his  papers,  addressed  by 
him  to  Colonel  M'Donnell,  in  September,  that  the  Shawanese 


•  "  Both  Sachems  and  warriors."  "  A  Sachem  is  considered  a  civil  magistrate, 
wh^takes  precedence  ot  all  war-chiefs  in  time  of  peace,  and  is  hereditary.  Not  so 
the  war-chiefs.  They,  as  by  all  the  rest  of  the  world,  are  made  by  the  voice  of  the 
nation  for  their  gallantry  in  the  field.  In  time  of  war,  the  war-chiefs  take  the  com- 
mand, and  direct  all  the  movements, — what  is  called  in  civilized  life, — martial  law." 
Letters  to  the  author  from  Colonel  William  J.  Kerr.  The  distinction  is  scarcely 
ever  observed  in  writing  of  Indian  affairs,  since  sachems,  warriors,  chiefs,  are  most 
oiualiy  written  indiscrimi      sly,  aa  it  happeas. 


1789.] 


INDIAN   AFFAIRS. 


885 


"sfrotlVr  ""'  T  '"'""^'  "inviting  the  Five  Nations  very 

tne  Wyandot  lovvn,  near  Detroit,  for  the  purpose  of  hi,nfw- 

iNo  and  STUi^NaTHKNiNo  the  Confederacy."     "  We  left 7" 

he  letter  contumes,  "entfTeiy  to  the  liutlUIo  Creekpeol    ^ 

"  ^d  dZry^r  S'  '''''-'  ''-'  '''  ^"  ^--^  ^^ 
anaunatory,  but  for  our  parts,  we  can  always  be  rearW  ..f 

lie  shortest  notice.     I,  however,  thinlc,  mvseirthal  i'lo 

ake  place  until  next  Spring,  since  by  this  Ume'the  yol^" 

have  begun  to  scatter  in  the  woods  ibr  hunting ;  and  it  Jo  dd 

be  necessary  to  have  them  present  to  hear  what  'is  a^l  d "p  a 

by  he  chiefs  ;  and  by  that  means  whatever  may  be  agreed  on 

wdl  more  firmly  effect  and  unite  the  different  Lions.     Te 

"larger  number  present  from  the  different  nations  the  bette  " 

Whether  the  proposed  council  was  held,  or  whether,  if  he  d 

But  while  Thayendanegea  had  successfully  vindicated  him 
self  from  the  aspersions  of  the  disaffected  of  L  own^opl^  ^ 
has  been  seen,  and  while  he  was  pondering  upon  the  Litat'ion 
of  the  Shawanese  to  attempt  the  assembling  of  another  ™ 
councU  m  the  west,  he  was  admonished  of  the  rumored  eS 

agamst  himself  and  his  own  people  in  their  new  location  con 
carted  by  his  recent  quasi  confederates,  the  Hurons  PotLvUTta 
mies  and  Chippewas.  The  inauspicious  rumor  ";.  commu^ 
cated  to  him  m  writing  by  Sir  John  Johnson. 

Sir  John  Johnson  to  Captain  Brant. 

"Dkar  Joseph,  " Montreal,  ith  Nov.  1789. 

"1  do  not  think  I  should  be  justifiable  in  not  acquainting  you 
(though  perhaps  you  may  have  heard  the  report )  that  aS  ac 
count  has  been  received  at  Detroit,  upon  the  oXof  on^  Z 
party  concerned,  that  the  Hurons,  Pottawattami  s   and  Ch  p^ 
was  are  concerned  in  a  plot  to  cut  off  the  garrison  at  DetroTt 
and  your  settlement,  this  Winter,  or  a.  soon  !s  the  na^^^ of 

on    m!,"  '^^^"-^h  '^^«  information  want!  farther 

b  tter  t       '  "      ^  ^'?  ''"^  •'"''  ""'^^'  ^°  it'  I  think  you  had 
better  be  on  your  guard,  and  try  to  find  out  the  real  situation 
designs,  onddisposition  of  those  nations,  by  sending  somers"^^ 


(«^« 

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M1<'K    OP    nil  A  NT. 


[1789. 


unsuspected  persons  among  tliein,  I  sliould  iiniiguic  tlmt  you 
had  some  friends  among  the  llurons  that  you  could  rely  upon  to 
givj  you  all  the  information  you  want,  and  that  some  trusty 
Messissafoes  misrht  be  got  to  go  among  the  other  nations  to 
watch  their  motions;  any  recompense  for  these  services  will  be 
readily  granted,  if  you  think  them  necessary,  upon  producing 
this  letter  to  Lieut.  Col.  Butler,  or  Mr.  M'Kee. 

"I  have  your  letter  to  Langan  of  the  23d  of  Septeml)cr. 
As  to  the  business  of  Aaron  and  Isaac,  so  much  has  boon  said 
on  that  already,  and,  m  fact,  it  is  so  trifiing,  that  nothing  farther 
is  necessary  to  be  said  in  answer  to  that  part  of  your  letter ;  but 
1  must  acknowledge  that  1  am  a  little  hurt  at  the  other  queries 
you  put  to  him,  as  they  arc  the  offspring  of  an  ungenerous  sus- 
picion, and  ill-founded  doubts  of  the  conduct  and  sincerity  of 
your  best  and  only  friends.  Rest  assured  that  we  know  no- 
thing of  the  intentions  of  government  to  relinquish  or  give  up 
the  posts ;  so  far  from  any  appearance  of  it,  I  am  well  informed 
tliat  the  post  of  Niagara  is  put,  or  putting,  into  the  best  state  of 
defence  the  nature  of  the  works  will  admit  of,  as  I  believe  all 
the  others  ^re  likewise  ;  and  I  am  confident  no  such  step  will 
ever  be  taken  without  some  previous  notice  given  to  all  interest- 
ed. As  to  the  department  I  have  the  honor  to  superintend,  I 
have  no  reason  to  think  any  change  or  alteration  will  talce  place 
m  it,  that  can  in  any  manner  affect  the  interests  of  the  Indians. 

"You  wish  to  know  our  news.  All  we  have  that  can  be 
interesting  to  you  is,  that  one  of  the,  most  wonderful  revolutions 
has  happened  in  France  that  ever  was  known  in  so  short  a  tinie. 
The  people  have  been  made,  by  the  more  enligiitencd  part  of  the 
nation,  to  view  their  situation  in  its  proper  light,  and  to  throw 
off  the  yoke  of  bondage,  slavery,  and  oppression,  under  which 
they  have  for  ages  groaned,  and  have  compelled  their  grand 
monarch  to  yield  to  a  Constitution  similar,  in  most  respects,  to 
the  happy  one  under  whicli  we  live.  They  have  abolished  all 
their  monks  and  nunneries,  and  have  made  such  changes  as  are 
wonderful  to  relate.  With  my  best  regards  to  Mrs.  Brant,  &c. 
and  to  all  at  the  village,  I  remain,  as  ever, 

"  Your  friend  and  faithful  servant, 

"John  Johnson."* 

*  Respecting  the  nimor  which  elicited  this  letter,  there  is  no  farther  ini  jrmat!oii= 
Indeed,  the  letter  of  Sir  John  itself  has  been  inserted  in  the  text,  more  for  the  pur« 


1789.J 


LITERARY    OCCUPATIONS. 


287 


Relieved,  temporarily  at  least,  from  the  cares  and  labors  of 
diplomacy  among  the  nations  of  the  more  distant  lake^Bm nt 
was  enabled  early  in  the  year  1789,  to  direct  his  attention  mom 
cosely  toother  matters  of  business;  not  forgetting  th   p  rS 
of  literature  so  fur  as  under  the  disadvantages  of\i    So 
he  ^.as  enabled  to  attend  to  its  cultivation.     Ho  was  eve     u'x 
.o.ts  for  the  moral  and  intellectual  in.provement  of  hs  people 
and  as  a  prunary  mea.i.s  of  such  improvement,  he  now  earnestly 
sought  for  the  settlement  of  a  resident  clergy  nan  amonT  h  1 
V..sumg  Montreal  for  that  purpose,  he  wrotf  to  Sir  John  ioh " 
son,  who  was  absent  (probably  at  Quebec)  at  the  time    ad 

01  me  iiev.  Mr.  fetuart  from  Kingston  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Grand  R.ver.  Many  of  the  Indians,  he  said,  wish^dt " 
uc  lurch  where  there  should  be  a  proper  minister;  and  nowC 

s  he  thought,  could  one  be  found  who  would  suit  their  dlpoS 
tons  so  well,  and  exert  such  a  desirable  influence  ov  r't  e 
morals  of  the  young  people,  as  Mr.  Stuart,  who  had  be.n  a 
missionary  among  them  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk     '  This 

good  thing,"  he  said  in  his  letter  to  Sir  John,  «  I  know  mu 

which,  be  assured,  I  would  not  mention,  if  I  was  not  very  wel 
convinced  of  the  good  that  would  arise  from  it."r    He  ITot 
other  pressmg  letters  to  the  same  purport ;   but  the  transfetf 
Mr.  Stuart  was  not  eflxjcted. 

He  is  believed  at  about  the  same  time  to  have  resumed  the 
abor  o  translating  devotional  books  into  the  Mohawk  language 
In  addition  to  the  work  published  in  England  in  1786  as  a  re. 
dy  mentioned,  he  translated  the  entire  liturgy,  andairoapd" 
mer;  a  copy  of  each  of  which  works  was  presented  to  Harvard 
University.     The  donation  was  acknowledged  by  a  vote  of 

det^ft".    ""  '"'^^'"'  ^"  *'^  '''"^^^^"^ '««-  fr°-  the  Pre. 
sident  of  that  institution  : — 

President  Willard  to  Captain  Brant. 
g,jj  "  Cambridge,  Juln  •20th,  1789. 

"I  have  the  pleasure  of  enclosing  you  a  vote  of  thanks  of  the 

France  than T  Tn'J  ^i,      ^^'''"^''"^  ''f^  «^"^  «'"'«'.)  ««  the  dawn  of  liberty  in 
ranee,  than  for  any  other  purpose.  f  MS.  letters  among  the  Brant  papers 


"f"  * 


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288 


MKK    OF    miANT. 


[178U. 


Corporation  of  the  lliiivorsity  in  this  place,  (or  your  prosont  of 
books  to  the  librarj'-,  wliicfi  were  received  but  u  little  while  Ixi- 
fore  the  date  of  th(j  vote.*  To  the  vote  of  thanks  from  the 
whole  corporate  body  for  this  acceptable  presiiur,  i^ive  nje  leave, 
Sir,  Jis  head  of  the  University;  to  add  my  thanks  in  particidar. 

"  I  am  pleas(!d  to  hear,  from  tht;  llev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  that  you 
arc  writnig  a  history  of  the  nativas  of  this  country.  1  hope, 
when  you  have  finished  it  in  yonr  own  l»ni(na}fe,  you  will  i^'ive 
us  a  translation  in  FiUiflish,  as  1  doubt  not  we  shall  hav(!  many 
curious  and  important  tilings  contained  in  it,  resp<!ctinir  tlio 
various  Indian  nations,  that  we  are  now  unacquainted  with. 

"Mr.  Kirkland  is  so  obliging  jis  to  take  charge  of  this  letter, 
and  I  doubt  not  will  convey  it  to  you  as  soon  as  possible. 
"  I  am,  Sir, 

"  With  sentiments  of  great  esteem, 
"  Your  very  humble  servant, 

"JOSf^PII    WlLLARD. 

"  Colonel  Joseph  Brant." 

The  historical  work  mentioned  in  the  preceding  letter,  it  is 
believed,  was  never  commenced,  although  it  had  been  projected, 
or  rather.  Captain  Brant  had  designed  writing  a  history  of  the 
Six  Nations.  But  ho  had,  probably,  too  many  demands  upon 
his  time,  and  cares  upon  liis  mind,  to  allow  of  the  execution  of 
his  plan.  The  work  of  translating  the  New  Testament  was 
continued  by  Captain  Brant's  friend  and  fellow-chief,  John  Nor- 
ton, alias  Teyoninhokaraven,  which  was  liis  Indian  name. 
This  chief  translated  the  Gospel  of  John,  vrhich  was  printed  by 
the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society;  ani  he  intended  to  pro- 
ceed with  the  Gospels  of  Matthew  and  I  (ike,  but  probably  the 
work  was  not  completed.t 

But,  aside  from  the  cultivation  of  letters.  Captain  Brant  had 

♦  See  Appendix,  No.  VI. 

t  Norton's  name  will  appear  frequently  hereafter.  Ho  was  a  Imlf-breed,  liis  father 
being  an  Indian,  and  his  mother  a  Scolch  woman.  He  received  a  cliissical  educa- 
tion at  an  English  scliool.  Next  to  Thnyendanoaea,  Teyoninhokaraven  was  the 
most  distinguished  of  the  modern  Mohawks.  His  observations  were  said  to  be 
acute,  and  his  language  in  conversation  strong  and  elegant  He  was  well  versed  in 
ancient  and  modern  history,  and  particularly  well  informed  in  geography.  On  every 
subject  connected  with  his  own  country  and  people  his  knowledge  was  minute.  In 
his  person  he  was  tali  and  muscular,  with  a  large  and  expressive  eye. 


m\   name. 


1790.1 


AFPAIUH  OF  THE  SIX  NATIONS. 


289 


mplo  employment  for  both  n.ind  and  body,  in  rc^nilatinff  his 
d...nost  c  [nduui  relations.     The  pluntin;.  o    hi.s  own  nation 
upoa,h.rncn.terntoryat  Grand  Uivor,  m.d  tho  oxlrtio"    no 
ce.sary  to  bru.g  thorn  n.to  order,  and  persuade  then,  to  s  b^t  tute 
tl..  pursuus  ot  lu.sbandry  fbr  the  ehase.  were  h.bors  of  no  s 
no.uent.     The  grant  of  land  on  the  Grand  K.ver  was  do  b 
1-  u.ten,led  solely  for  the  Mohawks,  who  had  been  disj  Je      i 
olthcu-  own  native  valley ;  but  other  Indiar.s  of  the  Six  N  mb 
"..traded  upon  then,  even  .some  of  those  who  h,.,,l  lK,rne  a 
.amst  the  crown  ar.d  the  Mohawks.     Jealousies  and  ha 
unungs  were  the  consecp.er.ce.  which  occasionally    alldr 
tl.o  mterposuion  of  the  chief,  sometimes  to  the  injury  of    spo 
pulanty,  as  has  already  appeared.  ^  ^ 

^^r  was  his  attention  alone  r^mired  to  refrulate  the  aff.irs  of 
the  h.d.a„s  on  the  British  side  of  the  line.     I     icu   ie  tran" 
up  as  early  a.  1789  among  the  Onoid.s,  Onou^c:P^ 
and  S  necas,  m  conseq.ience  of  the  intrusion  of  tlut  whites  upon 
c,r  lands  and  the  unlawful  purchases  effected  by  some Tf 
t.c.n,  from  Indians  not  authori.:ed  to  sell.     All  the  wdX  o 

eso  troubles  seen.ed  to  fall  upon  the  shoulder    o"^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
Urant,  between  wJiom  and  Governor  George  Clinton  an  ac  ve 
correspondence  took  place  upon  the  subject,  in  1789 Tnd^^ 
follo.vng  year.     The  Governor  made  ever^  p<Jb,e  effort' to 
cause  just.ce  to  be  done  to  the  Indians ;  for  which  purpose  si- 
veral  councils  were  held  at  Fort  Stanwix,  and  at  lea  t  one  ;;T 
cial  interview  was  held  l^etween  the  Go;ernor  and  he  chie 
jn  relation  to  it.     The  result  wa.  an  amicable  arran'em  m 
In  his  letters,  Governor  Clinton  treated  the  Indian  chiefttirno; 

and  iega.d.     The  following  letter  will  serve  as  a  specimen  of 
th.s  correspondence  on  the  part  of  that  distinguished  man  !!! 

Governor  Clinton  to  Captain  Brant. 

.     «  NeiD-  York,  1st  September,  1790. 
"  Sir, 

« I  was  favored  with  your  letter  of  th.  21st  of  July  yesterday 
"A  rumor  of  a  Spanish  war  also  prevails  among  us.    It  is 


::::  > 

•  •IM«     M 

'  •  -  1 

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LIFK   OF     nUANT. 


[17  ya 


ccrtniii,  that  lioth  tliiit  mill  UioHrilislj  nation  nro  rqniiipin^r 
powerful  nnvdl  nrmaniciils  ;  (he  ostt^iiNihlo  oltjcft  of  wliicli  is 
lilt!  si'itlomi'Mt  ola  clisputo  which  has  Uikv.u  plan!  hotwcoii  tlicin, 
with  rnspi'ct  to  tlioir  posNossions  on  tho  north-wost  part  of  (his 
Coiitiiicni,  and  tlu)  ri^ht  of  fifihcry  in  that  ipiartt  r.  It  is,  how- 
ever, prohahlu  that  all  this  political  l)nstl(>  may  teruiuiate  in  iie- 
^nttiation,  hy  oiu*  concedinif  and  the  other  aeceptiiijr  of  what 
neither  have  any  wiill-lonnded  pretensions  to,  farther  than  ini  ii! 
discovery  and  the  (hsplayitifr  of  ji  national  (lag  hy  the  jKirniis- 
sion  ofihe  hospitahle  and  nnsiisjM'itinif  natives. 

"  The  p'nllenien  who  an;  appointed  coniniissioners  of  Indimi 
ad'airs,  and  whom  you  saw  with  me  at  h'ort  Stanwix,  ehiell' 
reside  in  the  country,  and  are  now  so  dis|xirsed  that  it  is  not 
practii-ahh;  to  colder  with  (hem.  I  perfectly  ro^'ollect  the  con- 
versation which  passed  Ixifween  you  and  me  relative  to  the  land 
you  was  to  have  had  from  Doctor  Ii  aton,  and  1  connnnnicaled 
tho  injport  of  it  at  the  time,  to  the  connnissionors ;  and  you  will 
roinomher  I  alliirward  informed  you  that,  iiowever  stron<r  their 
dispositions  were  to  servo  yon,  yet  (hey  could  not  consent  to 
any  Ihiui^  that  would  'jrivo  tho  least  sanction  or  countenance  to 
any  part  of  Benton's  transactions,  as  they  considered  thetn  not 
only  contrary  to  law,  hut  committed  hy  liim  in  open  defiance  of 
the  authority  of  the  State.  Thoy  expressed,  at  the  same  time, 
'  entimcnts  of  tho  warmest  friendship  for  you  ;  and  I  considered 
the  present  which  they  directed  nio  to  maito  you,  as  tho  only 
way  they  had  in  their  power  to  evince  the  sincoiity  of  fhoir 
professions. 

«  I  shall  be  happy  to  see  you  here  next  Summer,  r.r.d  vrill 
endeavor  to  make  your  visit  agreeable  to  you.  Colonel  Variclc 
and  your  brother,  the  sachem,  are  the  only  two  of  the  gentlemen 
who  were  at  Fort  Stanwix,  now  in  town.  They  request  you 
to  0.  -^pt  of  their  best  respects.  I  will  not  fail  to  communicate 
yo:*'-  e  v  «;  <  ionss  to  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  that  he  may  stand  pre- 
pare;: ?o  ,.>chnv;re  the  tribute. 

''  I  am 

"  Your  most  obed't  servant, 

"Geo.  Clinton. 
"  Captain  Joseph  BrantP 


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CrfAl'TCll  X. 

miT  -Iriilmii  .l,.|,iii„tH.,i  i,.    ,.,nl  l)„nli.st,.r  -I  ,  ii.r  ,>rs'r  ',","""  "•   ','''- 

,,.r_ll,.,i,.vv...l  .(oriN  oCil,,,  ||,i,t,,,|  sittir,  i„  l.r,,.,,  i  r  '  '*""'""- 

..ion,,r.-.r„,.i,j„,.._MM,i:::;;'/;::;;;f:;;:::^    :;- 

l.r..^.  .1,,.  -U,.„,.wal  .,n,.Hhl,.„.H-.-(  ■„ „„„  „r  ,;„„„,„,  s  /    |    r-      /.i  •      [ 

?^:M  w;:;;;--.!,::;::rr;';:7;;;,;rr  """"""*"  '"^  ~-'"'-"'  -s^ 

NoTwrTii,HTANi).N(j  tlio  tpoatios  of  pnnco  fcondiided  by  Oo 
nomi  .St.  Clair  will,  all  ||„,  Sjx  Nations,  tl„,  Mohawks  ..xcptr.l 
aii.l  with  s^vnral  of  tlio  jrmit  .lortli-wostnra  trihos,  the  tn,„.imlity 
o(  tl,..  Ir.)iiti..r  sottlomoiifs,  now  extnndinir  four  Innidrcl  miles 
Hloiiir  tl'e  Ohio,  had  not  hum  so.M.rod.  'I'ho  .Shawano.so,  Mia 
mis,  and  Wabash  Indians*  still  kopt  np  a  bloody  war,  rava.rin-r 
the  scttlomnnts  of  Kontncky,  and  tho  t.^rrifory  now  known 
ns  Ohio,  and  causuijr  serions  apprehensions  in  the  frontier  set- 
tlements of  Virginia.  The  President  had  made  every  possible 
'Xrort  to  conciliate  ti.j  Indi.uis  by  jnst  and  pacific  overtures,  but 
*n  vun.t    Even  the  Indians  with  whom  one  of  the  treaties  had 

♦  Such  were  the  statem.-nt-  of  the  account,  of  that  day.    In  tho  oarly  ,mrt  of  tho 

preen  y«ar,  however,  Captain  M-K..,-.  the  active  (British)  Indian  A^enl  at  De  ri 

•roteto  Capum  Brant-.-The  Indian,  of  tho  Mia.„i,/l  under^rnd.  lie  be   ' 

more  q.„e  than  „..a  th.  yoar,  f„w  h.,«tilitie,  having  been  committed,  and  those 

by  that  nation  ah,ne."    In  the  sam.  letter  Captain  M'Kee  ,ta.ed  tha    a  nnarrel 

arisen  between  the  Miam.  and  Delaware,  respecting  the  land,  occupied  by  h 
Ujer  w  0  were  ,0  n.uch  offi.nded  a.  ,o  be  preparing  to  retire  aero,.,  to  the  Span  .h 
e  o    t,,e  M.,..s.ppi.     The  Captain  adde.i :-..  Their  withdrawing  themaervesa 

.s  time  W.II  be  extremely  Jetrimentnl,  not  only  to  the  Indian  conf^ieracy,  bu    o 
ho  country  m  general,  as  it  will  draw  a  number  of  other,  afrer  them  v  ..^  o  n 

nsider  the  consequence,."     M'Keeinvoked  Captain  Brantto.end  the.   affected 

t  "The  basis  of  our  proceedinss  with  tho  Indian  natjnp-  )...  hern  an-"  -Sr!I  ! 
.-/.■«,  dunng  tho  period  in  which  I  have  any  thing  to  do  withThe  ad.dnist^tion  rf 


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»  ,.  , 


292 


LIFK    OP   BRANT. 


[1790. 


been  formed,  could  not  all  of  them  be  restrained  from  the  war- 
path. There  was,  moreover,  another  angry  cloud  lowering  in 
the  western  sky.  The  governments  of  the  United  States  and 
Spain  were  at  issue  on  the  question  of  the  navigation  of  the 
Mississippi,  respecting  which  strong  solicitude  was  felt  by  the 
people  of  the  west — especially  of  Kentucky.  Not  satisfied  with 
fomenting  discontents  among  the  Indians  at  the  north,  the  En- 
glish government,  availing  itself  of  the  Spanish  question,  ant' 
hoping,  should  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  be  ultimately  closed 
against  the  commerce  of  the  United  States,  that  disaffection 
might  ensue  in  the  west,  was  believed  to  have  despatched  secret 
agents  into  Kentucky,  with  propositions  to  test  the  fidelity  of 
the  people  to  the  Union.  Among  these  emissaries  was  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Connolly,  of  Detroit,  a  loyalist  formerly  of  Fort 
Pitt,  who  had  espoused  the  cause  of  the  crown  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  lield  several  confidential  conferences  with  some  of  the 
most  influential  cftizens  of  Kentucky,  and  attempted  to  seduce 
them  into  a  project  for  making  a  descent  upon  New  Orleans, 
seizing  the  city,  and  securing  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  by 
force,  as  a  necessary  consequence.  Information  of  these  secret 
proceedings  was  transmitted  to  the  President,  who,  looking  upon 
the  intrigue  as  an  attempt  to  divide  the  Union,  was  prompt  in 
concerting  measures  to  detect  any  farther  machinations  of  the 
ifind.*  What  progress  was  made  in  sowing  the  seeds  of  dis- 
affection, or  whether  any,  does  not  appear. 

In  the  Spring  of  1790,  Antoine  Gamelin,  an  experienced  In- 
dian merchant,  was  despatched  to  visit  all  the  principal  tribes  of 

this  government." — Letter  of  President  Washington,  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafaydlc, 
^ug.  1790. 

*  Sparks's  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Washington,  vol.  ix.  pages  473,  '76. 
Letter  of  President  Washington  to  Mr.  Innes,  and  Notes.  These  attempts  upon 
the  fidehty  of  Kentiicity  were  made  in  1788  and  1789.  In  the  following  year,  in 
the  prospect  of  a  war  between  Great  Britain  and  Spain,  apprehensions  of  trouble  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  the  former  arose  from  the  same  quarters,  but  upon  a 
very  different  question.  From  certain  circumstances  which  came  to  the  knowledge 
of  th'o  President,  it  was  believed  that  Lord  Dorchester,  in  the  event  of  a  war  with 
Spain,  had  it  in  contemplation  to  send  ar.  expedition  from  Detroit  for  the  invasion  of 
Louisiana.  This  could  not  be  done  without  marching  an  army  across  the  whole 
breadth  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States.  On  the  25th  of  August,  President 
Washington  communicated  his  apprehensions  to  the  members  of  his  cabinet,  the 
Vice-President,  nnd  the  Chief  Justice,  (Jay,)  requiring  their  opinions  in  writing 
iipnn  the  .".".'.srsr  proper  to  bo  pursued  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States  in 
Buch  an  emergencv. 


1790.J         qamelin's  mission  to  the  Indians.  293 

the  Avest,  as  a  messenger  of  peace,  with  a  view  of  ascertamincr 
the  general  temper  of  the  Indians.     Among  the  tribes  who  had 
entered  into  the  treaty,  he  found  the  old  chiefs  and  warriors  ^e- 
nenilly  well  disposed,  and  by  no  means  hostile.    But  with  these 
excei)tions,  the  war  feeling  was  almost  universal.     Of  the  spirit 
that  prevailed,  an  idea  may  be  formed  from  the  fol!owin<r  notes 
ofGamelin,  of  Ills  interview  with  the  Ouiatanons  and  Kicka- 
poos :-"  After  my  speech,  one  of  the  head  chiefs  got  up  and 
"told  me:  'You,  Gamelm,  my  friend  and  son-in-law,  we  arc 
"pleased  to  see  in  our  village,  and  to  hear  by  your  mouth  the 
good  words  of  the  Great  Chief.     We  thought  to  receive  a  kw 
words  from  the  French  people,  [traders,)  but  I  see  the  contrary  • 
None  but  the  Big  Knife  is  sending  speeches  to  us.     You  know 
« that  vve  can  terminate  nothing  without  the  consent  of  our  elder 
«  brethren,  the  Miamis.     I  invite  you  to  proceed  to  their  villacre 
"and  to  speak  to  them.     There  is  one  thing  in  your  speech'  i 
do  not  like.    I  will  not  tell  of  it.    Even  was  I  drunk,  I  would 
"not  perceive  it ;  but  our  elder  brethren  will  certainly  take  no 
"tice  of  It  m  your  speech.     You  invite  us  to  stop  our  younc 
men     It  is  impossible  to  do  it,  being  constantly  encouraged 
by  the  British.'  "    Another  chief  said :  «  The  Americans  are 
very  flattering  in  their  speeches  :  many  times  our  nation  went 
to  their  rendezvous.    I  was  once  there  myself     Some  of  our 
"chiefs  died  on  the  route,  and  we  always  came  back  all  naked  • 
"and  you,  Gamelin,  you  came  with  a  speech,  but  with  empty 
"hands."     Another  chief  said:  "Know  ye  that  the  villacre  of 
"Oiiiatanon  is  the  sepulchre  of  our  "ancestors.     The  chrei  of 
"America  invites  us  to  go  to  him,  if  we  are  for  peace  ;  he  lias 
«  not  his  leg  broke,  being  able  to  go  as  far  as  the  Illinois     Ho 
"might  come  here  himself,  and  we  should  be  glad  to  see  him 
"m  our  village.     We  confess  that  we  accepted  the  axe,  but  it 
was  by  the  reproach  that  we  continually  receive  from  the  En- 
"ghsh  and  other  nations,  which  received  the  axe  first,  callino 
"lis  women:  at  the  same  time  they  invite  our  young  men  to 
"  war.    As  to  the  old  people,  they  are  wishing  for  |)eace  "* 

All  the  endeavors  of  the  President  to  give  security  to  ihe  par- 
ties  by  peaceful  arrangements  having  proved  unavailing,  vio-o- 
rous  ofiensive  measures  were  determined  upon,  and  an  expedi 

♦  Qamelin's  Journal,  Am.  State  Papers,  Vol.  IV.  p.  93. 


M 


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294 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


[1790. 


tion  against  the  hostile  tribes  was  entrusted  to  General  Harniar, 
a  veteran  of  the  revolution.  His  force  consisted  of  fourlcen 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  three  hundred  and  twenty  of  whom 
were  regular  troops,  and  the  residue  levies  of  the  Pennsylvania 
and  Kentucky  militia.  The  object  was  to  bring  the  Indians  to 
an  engagement,  if  possible  ;  if  not,  in  any  event  to  destroy  their 
settlements  on  the  waters  of  the  Scioto  and  Wabash.*  The  ex- 
pedition left  Fort  Washington  on  the  30th  of  September,  1700, 
The  Indians  at  first  abandoned  their  princijial  town,  after  ap- 
plying the  torch  to  it,  but  rallied  subsequently  upon  a  detach- 
ment of  two  hundred  and  ten  men,  commanded  by  Colonel  Har- 
den, thirty  of  whom  were  regulars,  and  gave  battle.  At  the  first 
fire  Harden's  militia  all  ran  away.  The  regulars  maintahied  their 
ground  for  a  time,  and  fought  bravely  until  but  seven  of  their 
number  were  able  to  escape.  On  the  next  day  Col.  Harden,  at 
the  head  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  men,  sixty  of  whom  were 
regulars,  undertook  to  retrieve  their  disgrace.  They  were  met 
by  the  Indians,  and  a  bloody  conflict  ensued  near  the  junction  of 
the  St.  Joseph  and  St.  Mary  rivers.  The  militia,  for  a  miracle, 
fought  bravely  on  this  occasion.  Overpowered  by  numbers,  how- 
ever, they  were  defeated,with  the  loss  of  several  gallant  officers, 
and  one  hundred  and  eighty-three  men— seventy-five  of  whom 
were  regulars.  Among  the  former  were  Majors  Fontaine  and 
Wyllys,  and  Lieutenant  Frothingham.  Ten  militia  officers  were 
also  among  the  slain.  The  Indians  lost  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty  warriors.  The  battle  was  severely  fought,  and  end- 
ed in  the  flight  of  the  Americans.  Gerjeral  Harmar  there- 
upon returned  to  Fort  Washington  and  claimed  the  victory- 
with  what  propriety  has  never  been  ascertained.t 

♦  Holmes — Marshall. 

+  A  Ifttcr  to  Captain  Brant,  written  from  Detroit,  gave  a  slill  more  disastrous  ac 
count  of  this  affair  than  was  admitted  by  the  American  authorities.  The  following 
is  an  extract:— "I  have  to  inform  you  that  there  have  been  two  engaacinents  nbout 
"  the  Miami  towns,  between  the  Americans  and  the  Indians,  in  which,  it  is  said,  the 
"  former  had  about  five  hundred  men  killed,  and  that  the  rest  have  retreated.  Tho 
"  loss  was  only  fifteen  or  twenty  on  the  side  of  tho  Indians.  The  Shawancse,  Mia- 
«'mis,  at»d  Pottawattamies  were,  I  understand,  tho  principal  tribes  who  were  engag- 
«'  ed  ;'  but  I  do  not  learn  that  any  of  the  nations  have  refused  their  alliance  or  as- 
"  sislance,  and  it  is  confidently  r.-ported  that  they  are  now  marching  against  tho 
«'  frontiers  on  the  Ohio.  As  Mr.  McKee  writes  to  the  chiefs  at  the  Grand  River,  he 
"  will  be  able  to  state  circumstances  more  particularly  than  I  can.  The  gentlemen  of 
"the  garrison  begtheir  compliments."— MS.  Letter  qfJohn  Smiik  to  Coplain  BmiU 


'ennsvlvmiia 


iroi.j 


DEFEAT   OP    GENERAL    HAIlMAn. 


295 


Flushed  and  emboldened  by  their  success,  the  depredations  of 
the  Indians  became  more  frequent,  and  the  condition  of  the 
frontier  was  more  deplorable  than  it  had  been  previous  to  this 
1 1-lated  expedition.*     Nor  were  their  aggressions  confined   to 
the  settlements  along  the  Ohio  and  the  Kentucky  border    Two 
ot  the  Seneca  Indians  having  been  murdered  by  the  whites 
that  nation,  with  others  among  the  warriors  of  the  Six  Nations' 
'.•-c  becoming  more  hostile ;  and  the  consequence  was,  thai 
early  in  the  Spring  of  1791,  the  Pennsylvania  settlements  aloncr 
the  A  leghany  river,  abo^^e  Pittsburgh,  experienced  repeated  and 
fearful  visitations  of  Indian  retribution.    Several  stations  of  the 
settlers  were  entirely  broken  up.     The  murders  of  women  and 
children  were  frequent,  and  were  often  attended  with  circum- 
stances of  undiminished  inhumanity,  while  many  people  were 
carried  into  captivity.f 

News  of  the  discistrous  victory  of  General  Harmar  having 
reached  the  seat  of  government,  a  regiment  was  added  to  the 
permanent  military  establishment,  and  the  President  was  autho- 
rised to  raise  a  body  of  two  thousand  men  for  six  months,  to 
appoint  a  major  and  a  brigadier  general  to  continue  in  com- 
mand so  long  as  he  should  think  their  services  necessary.:  No 
time  was  lost  in  calling  this  augmented  force  into  the  field  and 
Major  General  Arthur  St.  Clair,  Governor  of  the  territory  north 
west  of  the  Ohio,  was  appointed  Commander-in-chief,  and  chare-, 
ed  with  the  conduct  of  the  meditated  expedition  ;  the  immedl- 
ate  objects  of  which  were  to  destroy  the  Indian  villages  on  the 
,  Miamis,  to  expel  the  Indians  from  that  country,  and  to  connect 
It  with  the  Ohio  by  a  chain  of  posts  which  would  prevent  their 
return  during  the  war.  § 

It  appears  that  on  the  repulse  of  Harmar,  the  confederated 
nations  of  the  Chippewas,  Pottawattamies,  Hurons,  Shawanese, 
Delawares,  Ottawas,  Tustans,  and  Six  Nations— after  a  consul- 
tation at  the  foot  of  the  Miami  Rapids  with  Capt.  McKee,— deput- 
ed a  representation  of  chiefs  and  warriors  to  visit  Lord  Dorchester 

♦  "It  appears,  from  the  most  indubitable  testimony,  that  from  1783,  when  peace 
was  made,  to  October,  1790,  wlien  the  United  Stut.s  commenced  offensive  opera- 
tions  against  them,  on  the  Ohio  and  the  frontiers,  the  Indians  killed  an.l  woimd 
ed,  and  took  prisoners,  about  fifteen  hundred  men,  women,  and  children ;  be.idea 
tailing  awoy  two  thousand  horses  and  a  large  quantity  of  other  property."_JVar, 
fHvf  and  Si(m:ri7i!rs  of  Mnfuj  Harbison.  i  l^](.^y, 

t  Marshall's  life  of  Washington.       '  §  Holmes's  AnndJ," 


■Mil 


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4.(|*-.v, 


296 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1791. 


at  duebec,  for  the  purpose  of  consultation,  and  also  to  ascertain 
whetlier  any,  and  if  any,  what,  assistance  might  be  expected 
from  the  British  or  provincial  government.  Lord  Dorchester's 
views  were  doubtless  at  that  time  pacific,  as  also  were  those  of 
Captain  Brant  -provided  always  that  the  United  States  would 
establish  the  Ohio  as  the  boundary,  and  relinquish  ail  claims  of 
jurisdiction  beyond  that  river.  On  the  22d  of  February,  1791, 
Sir  .John  .Tolnison  addressed  a  letter  to  Captain  Brant,  from  Mon- 
treal, enclosing  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Lord  Dorchester  to  him- 
self, and  another  copy  of  the  same  to  Captain  McKee,  the  pur- 
port of  which  can  only  be  inferred  from  the  letter  of  the  Baronet. 
It  is  accordingly  inserted : — 

Sir  John  Johnson  to  Captain  Brant.    (Private.) 

«  Montreal,  22d  Feb%  I7')l. 
"Dear  Joseph, 
"  As  I  think  the  Six  Nations  much  interested  in  the  business 
proposed  by  the  inclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from  Lord  Dorchester, 
(another  copy  of  which  I  transmit  to  Mr.  McKee,)  I  could  not 
think  of  withholding  it  from  you,  that  you  may  take  such  steps, 
in  concert  with  Mr.  McKee  and  the  western  nations,  as  you  may 
judge  most  conducive  to  their  interest  and  honor.  As  you  cer- 
tainly are  all  free  and  independent,  I  think  you  will  have  a 
right  to  insist  upon  disposing  of  whatever  lands  you  judge 
fit  to  reserve  for  the  General  Confederacy,  in  whatever  man- 
ner, and  to  whomsoever  you  please.  The  idea  of  the  States 
claiming  a  jurisdiction  up  to  the  line  of  separation  settled  be- 
tween Great  Britain  and  them,  must  arise  from  a  supposition 
that  the  Indians,  at  some  time  or  other,  allowed  that  power 
to  our  Provinces  for  the  better  government  of  their  subjects. 
Wliether  or  not  that  is  the  case,  I  know  not,  nor  can  I  at  present 
find  out ;  but  certain  I  am  that  without  such  a  cession  of  power 
on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  no  just  right  or  claim  to  such  a  pow- 
er can  be  supported  beyond  the  line  of  1768,  and  to  the  western 
line  of  the  land  ceded  or  sold  by  tlie  Indians  to  the  States  since 
the  war.  This  is  certainly  a  nice  point,  and  may  not  be  proper 
to  insist  upon  too  positively  ;  but  in  justice  I  believe  it  is  as  I 
have  stated.  When  the  Indians  allowed  the  English  and  French 
to  build  forts  for  the  protection  and  support  of  their  subjects  and 
trade,  they  no  doubt  had  a  right  to  a  certain  jurisdiction  or  com 


1791.J 


OENKRAL    INDIAN    RKLATIONS, 


297 


miind  round  tlioso  places,  but  I  never  believe  it  extended  far- 
ther,  or  tfmt  the  Indians  meant  it  slionld.     Upon  the  wliole 
you  understand  your  own  rights  better  than  I  do.  I  shall  there' 
fore  say  no  more  than  to  recommend  coolness  and  a  manly  firm- 
ness m  whatever  you  may  determine  on.   As  I  mean  this  letter 
as  entirely  private,  I  shall  acquaint  you  that  I  believe  this  mea- 
sure 1ms  been  thought  of  by  Lord  Dorchester,  in  consequence  of 
my  writing  to  hnn  on  receiving  the  account  of  the  expedition 
<:arr.od  on  last  VM  by  the  Americans  against  the  Miamis,  at 
which  ti.no  I  took  the  liberty  of  saying  that  the  Americans  had 
no  claim  to  any  part  of  the  country  beyond  the  line  established 
'11  1708,  at  i'ort  Stanwix,  between  the  Indians  and  the  Govor- 
imrs  and  agents  of  all  the  Provinces  interested,  and  including  the 
sales  made  since  the  war;  and  that  I  therefore  thought,  a's  we 
could  not  uirord  them  assistance  in  arms,  we  should  at  least  af 
fcrd  tlie.n  our  mediation  to  bring  about  a  peace  between  them 
and  the  states,  on  terms  just  and  honorable,  or  something  to 
that  purpose.     You  may  converse  with,  or  write  freely  to  Mr 
McKee  upon  the  subjects  of  this  latter,  but  let  it  be'as  froni 
yourself-perimps  I  may  say  something  similar  to  him  if  time 
will  permit.     I  have  wrote  Lord  Dorchester  that  an  answer 
niightbohad  to  his  inquiries  by  some  time  the  beginnino- of 
May,  but  I  (ear  not ;  a  great  deal  will  depend  on  you,  however, 
m  forwarding  the  packet  to  Mr.  McKee,  which  letmeintreai 
you  to  lose  no  time  in  doing.     My  best  wishes  attend  you  all. 
and  boliovo  mo  as  ever  sincerely  yours, 

,,  ^    ^  .     „  "  John  Johnson. 

"  Captain  Brant.^' 

Colonel  Gordon,  commanding  the  British  postal  Niagara,  was 
ftlso  at  that  tii.u!  and  afterward,  a  friend  of  peace.  On  the  4th 
of  March  ho  addressed  a  letter  to  Captain  Brant,  from  which 
the  following  is  an  extract :-«  I  hope  you  will  embrace  the  pre- 
^^  sent  opportunity  of  the  meeting  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Five  Na- 

tions  in  your  neighborhood,  to  use  your  endeavors  to  heal  the 
^^  wounds  between  the  Indians  and  Americans.     I  dare  say  the 

fc>tates  wish  to  make  peace  on  terms  which  will  secure  to  the 
^^  Indians  then'  present  possessions  in  the  Miami  country,  pro- 

vifled  the  young  men  are  restrained  from  committing  depre- 
"dntions  in  future."    The  temper  of  the  chief  himself,  at  th« 

VOL.  IT.  ac 


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298 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1791 


]>eriod,  can  best  be  determined  by  the  following  extracts  from 
a  letter  addressed  by  hitnself  to  (Japtain  M'Kee,  three  days  -ifter 
the  letter  from  Colonel  Gordon  was  written,  and  probably  im- 
mediately on  its  receipt : — 

Captain  Brant  to  Captain  M'Kee.   (Extracts.) 

«  Grand  River,  March  7,  1791. 

"  I  have  received  two  letters  from  the  States,  from  gentlemer. 
who  have  been  lately  in  Philadelphia ;  by  wiiich  it  appears  the 
Americans  secretly  wish  to  accommodate  tlie  matter — wliich  1 
should  by  all  means  advise,  if  it  could  be  effected  upon  honor- 
able and  liberal  terms,  and  a  peace  become  general." 

"  I  am  happy  to  see  in  Sir  John's  last  letter  to  me,  that  he 
has  suggested  to  his  Lordship  the  necessity  of  their  interference 
in  bringing  about  a  peace  between  the  Indians  and  the  United 
States ;  by  which  it  appears  he  has  an  idea  of  recommending 
the  line  settled  in  17G8  [qu  ?  1765]  between  the  Indians  and 
government,  as  the  northern  and  western  boundary  of  the  States 
in  that  quarter.  I  expect  to  hear  more  from  him  in  the  Spring 
on  that  subject,  as  I  have  pressed  him  hard  to  give  me  his  sen- 
timents on  the  utility  of  my  interference  in  the  present  dispute." 

Lord  Dorchester's  speech  in  reply  to  the  deputation  already 
mentioned,  was  of  a  similar  tenor  to  the  preceding  letter  of  Sir 
John  Johnson.  His  Lordship  informed  them  that  he  should  be 
glad  to  be  instrumental  in  restoring  peace.  He  informed  them 
that  the  line  marked  out  in  the  treaty  of  peace  with  the  United 
States,  implied  no  more  than  that  beyond  that  line  the  King 
their  father  would  not  extend  his  interferer  .e  ;  and  that  the  King 
had  only  retained  possession  of  the  posts  until  such  time  as  all 
the  differences  between  him  and  the  United  States  should  bo 
settled.  In  regard  to  the  questions  of  the  deputation,  whether  it 
was  true  that,  in  making  peace  with  the  States,  the  King  had 
given  away  their  lands,  his  Lordship  assured  them  that  such 
was  not  the  fact,  inasmuch  as  the  Kmg  never  had  any  right  to 
their  lands,  other  than  to  such  as  had  been  fairly  ceded  by  them- 
selves, with  their  own  free  consent,  by  public  convention  and 
sale.  On  this  point,  his  Lordship  likewise  referred  to  the  treaty 
with  Sir  William  Johnson,  at  Fort  Stanwix,  in  1765.    In  con- 


1791.]         LORD  DonciiK.sTKi?   A.\i»  Tin:  iM)rA\,s.  299 

elusion,  he  assured  the  deputation,  that  altiioii-h  the  hidians 
had  their  friendship  and  ^ood-wiU,  the  Provincial  Goverinnent 
had  no  power  to  embark  in  a  war  with  the  United  States,  and 
could  only  defend  themselves  if  attacked.  He  also  informed 
them  that  the  command  of  the  province  was  about  to  devolve 
upon  General  Clarke ;  and  that  Prince  Edward,*  who  had  just 
arrived  with  a  chosen  band  of  warriors,  would  be  the  second  in 
comuiand.  His  Lordship  himself  was  on  the  eve  of  embarking 
Ibr  England,  where  it  would  afford  him  great  pleasure  to  hear 
that  peace  had  been  established  between  the  Indians  and  United 
States  upon  a  just  and  solid  foundation.! 

This  speech  afforded  but  small  encouragement  to  the  Indians, 
and  most  likely  but  ill  corresponded  with  the  expectations  that 
had  been  raised  by  M'Kee,  and  other  subordinate  officers  in  the 
Hiitish  Indian  Department  at  the  remote  posts— of  whom  seve- 
ral, like  M'Kee,  were  refugee  Americans,  indulging  bitter  hatred 
toward  the  country  which  they  had  deserted  in  the  hour  of  its 
peril.  Indeed,  there  is  no  reason  to  distrust  the  manly  and  ho- 
norable conduct  of  Lord  Dorchester  during  the  greater  part  of 
this  singular  border  contest,  the  progress  of  which  was  marked 
by  so  many  vicissitudes  of  feeling,  and  action  on  the  part  of 
many  of  the  Provincial  authorities.  And  besides,  the  attitude 
of  the  two  nations  was  at  that  moment  less  seemingly  bellitrer- 
ent  than  it  shortly  afterward  became. 

During  these  side  negotiations  in  Canada,  and  while  the  i)re- 
parations  for  another  campaign  by  the  American  government,  as 
already  mentioned,  were  in  progress,  no  relaxations  of  efforts  to ' 
present  the  farther  effusion  of  blood  were  allowed  to  take  place. 
Captain  O'Bail,  or  the  Corn-planter  as  he  was  usually  called 
the  principal  chief  of  the  Senecas,  being  in  Philadelphia  in  the 
month  of  December,  after  the  defeat  of  General  Harmar,  was 
induced  not  only  to  use  his  influence  to  prevent  the  warriors  of 
the  Six  Nations  from  taking  a  part  in  the  contest,  but  also  to  un- 
dertake a  mission  with  other  friendly  Indians  to  the  country  of 
the  Miamis,  to  persuade  them  to  peace,  also,  if  possible.     In 
March  following,  the  Corn-planter,  with  whom  Colonel  Proctor, 
an  active  officer  in  the  (American)  Indian  Department  had  been 

•  Thr  late  Duke  of  Kent,  father  of  the  present  young  Glueen  of  England, 
t  Journal  of  Major  General  Lincoln,  which  wUl  be  more  particularly  refened  to 
hereafter.  r  ./  w 


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300 


LIFE    OP   BRANT 


[1791. 


associatoci,  set  out  upon  the  mission.  Meantime,  measures 
were  adopted  to  draw  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  to  a  gene- 
ral conference  at  a  distance  from  the  theatre  of  war,  in  order, 
not  only  to  prevent  their  joining  the  war,  but,  if  necessary,  to 
obtain  some  of  their  young  warriors  for  the  service  against  the 
Miamis  and  the  other  hostile  tribes.  This  attempt  to  create  a 
diversion  of  the  Six  Nations,  however,  was  looked  upon  with 
displeasure  by  the  Provincial  authorities  in  Canada,  as  will  be 
seen  by  the  annexed  letter  from  Colonel  Gordon  to  Captain 
Brant.  It  also  appears  from  this  letter,  that  these  Provincials 
were  ambitious  of  bemg  appealed  to  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States  as  mediators  in  the  controversy.  Nor  was  this 
an  individual  conceit  of  Colonel  Gordon,  inasmuch  as  Sir  John 
Johnson  had  hinted  the  same  thing,  as  was  evident  from  his 
letter,  after  consultation  with  Lord  Dorchester.  It  will  farther 
appear  by  the  address  of  the  letter,  that  the  ever-vigilant  Brant 
was  already  once  more  in  the  country  of  the  Miamis,  although 
but  a  very  few  days  previous  he  had  been  assisting  at  a  pri- 
vate council  at  Buffalo.  His  movements  in  all  these  matters, 
as  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  seem  to  have  been  as  rapid  as 


the  light. 


Colonel  Gordon  to  Captain  Brant. 


"  Niagara,  June  11th,  1791. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  was  glad  to  find  by  your  letter,  from  the  foot  of  the  Rapids, 
to  Colonel  Butler,  that  you  was  in  good  health  ;  and  I  very  sin- 
cerely hope  the  business  you  are  engaged  in,  will  be  attended 
with  success. 

"  From  the  inconsistent  proceedings  of  the  Americans,  1  am 
perfectly  at  a  loss  to  understand  their  full  intentions.  Whilst 
they  are  assembling  councils  at  different  quarters  with  the 
avowed  purpose  of  bringing  about  a  peace,  the  Six  Nations  have 
received  a  speech  from  General  St.  Clair,  dated  at  Pittsburgh, 
23d  April,  inviting  them  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  their 
brothers  the  western  nations. 

"  Can  any  thing  be  more  inconsistent  ?  or  can  they  possibly 
believe  the  Indians  are  to  be  duped  by  such  shallow  artifices  ? 
This  is  far  from  being  the  case ;  the  Indians  at  Buffalo  Creek 
saw  the  business  in  its  proper  light,  and  treated  the  invitation 


:tr 


1791.] 


INDIAN   NEGOTIATIONS. 


301 


with  the  contempt  it  deserved.     It  must  strike  you  very  forci- 
bly, that  m  all  the  proceedings  of  the  different  Commissioners 
irom  the  American  States,  tliey  have  cautiously  avoided  apply- 
ing for  our  interference,  as  a  measure  they  affect  to  think  per- 
fectly  unnecessary;  wishing  to  impress  the  Indians  with  ideas 
of  their  own  consequence,  and  of  the  little  influence,  they  would 
willingly  believe,  we  are  possessed  of.     This,  my  good  friend 
IS  not  the  way  to  proceed.     Had  they,  before  matters  were 
pushed  to  extremity,  requested  the  assistance  of  the  British  Go- 
vernment to  bring  about  a  peace  on  equitable  terms,  I  am  con- 
vinced the  measure  would  have  been  fully  accomplished  lon<r 
before  this  time.  ** 

«  I  would,  however,  willingly  hope  they  will  yet  see  the  pro- 
priety of  adopting  this  mode  of  proceeding ;  and  that  peace  an 
object  so  much  to  be  desired,  will  at  length  be  permanently  set- 
tled. ' 

« I  am  the  more  sanguine  in  the  attainment  of  my  wishes  by 
your  being  on  the  spot,  and  that  you  will  call  forth  "the  exertion 
of  your  influence  and  abilities  on  the  occasion.  Let  me  hear 
from  time  to  time  how  matters  are  going  forward,  and  with  my 
wishes  for  your  health,  believe  me 

"  Your  friend, 
«  Captain  Brant-  " ^'  ^°^'^"^- 

The  Council  of  the  Six  Nations,  always  excepting  the  Mo 
hawks,  was  successfully  held  by  Colonel  Timothy  Pickering 
in  the  Chemung  country,  in  the  month  of  June.    But  the  Corn- 
planter  and  Colonel  Proctor  met  with  insurmountable  difficul- 
ties m  the  prosecution  of  their  mission.  The  special  object  of  that 
mission,  after  traversing  the  country  of  the  Six  Nations  and 
exerting  such  wholesome  infliience  upon  them  as  mio-ht  be  in 
their  power,  was  to  charter  a  vessel  at  Buffalo  Creek,  "and  pro- 
ceed to  Sandusky,  and  if  possible  induce  the  Miamis  to  meet 
General  St.  Clair  in  council  on  the  Ohio.     They  were  every 
where  well  received  on  the  route  from  Alleghany  to  Buffalo 
Ueek,  at  which  place  a  grand  Council  was  called  in  honor  of 
their  arrival,  and  attended  by  Red  .Tacket  and  other  chiefs    After 
having  been  welcomed  by  a  speech  from  Red  Jacket,  Colonel 
Iroctor  opened  to  them  the  message  from  General  Washin<non 


,:.;:  > 


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302 


LIFE   OP   BRANT, 


[1791. 


the  great  chief  of  the  Thirteen  Fires.  Evxi  Jacket  replied,  th;it 
many  persons  had  previously  at  difTereiU  times  been  among 
them,  professing  to  come  by  the  authority  of  the  Tliirteen  Fires, 
hut  of  Ihe  truth  of  which  dechirutions  they  were  not  always  cen- 
vineed.  In  the  course  of  the  conversation,  it  was  ascertained 
that  at  a  private  council  lield  at  that  place  one  week  before,  at 
which  Captain  Brant  and  Colonel  Rutler,  of  the  British  Indiiin 
department,  were  present,  these  officers  had  uttered  the  same 
doubts  now  started  hy  Red  Jacket.  Brant  had  advised  the  Indians 
to  pay  no  attention  to  Proctor  and  O'Hail,  of  whose  approacli 
and  purpose  he  was  aware,  and  to  render  them  no  assistance  in 
their  projected  visit  to  Sandusky,  assuritig  them  it  should  do  no 
good  ;  but  that  (Colonel  Proctor,  and  all  wlio  would  accomj)any 
him  to  the  country  of  the  Miamis,  would  be  put  to  death.  They 
also  ascertained,  that  wlnle  holding  the  said  private  covmcil,  in 
anticipation  of  their  visit,  Captain  Brant  had  recei\ed  secret  in- 
structions from  "  head-quarters,"*  to  repair  to  Grand  River,  and 
from  thence  to  Detroit.  It  was  believed  by  a  French  trader 
who  gave  the  information,  and  also  by  Captain  PowcjU  of  the 
British  service,  who  confirmed  it,  that  the  Mohawk  chief  had 
been  sent  to  the  Indians  hostile  to  the  United  States  with  in- 
structions of  somp  kind  ;  and  the  Indians  at  Buffalo  Creek  had 
been  charged  by  Brant  to  conclude  upon  nothing  with  Proctor 
and  O'Bail  before  his  return. 

Colonel  Proctor  and  O'Bail  continued  at  Bnflalo  from  the  27th 
of  April  to  the  22d  or  23d  of  May.  The  Indians  collected  in 
large  numbers,  and  many  councils  were  lield.  On  the  8th  of 
May,  the  Fish-carrier,  one  of  the  principal  Cayuga  chiefs,  and 
the  right  hand  man  of  Captain  Brant,  declared  in  a  speech  that 
O'Bail  had  taken  a  course  that  was  not  a;  "proved  by  them — that 
more  than  one  half  of  the  Indians  there,  u-cre  no(  for  pcace,f 
and  that  Captain  Brant  had  been  sent  to  the  council-fire  of  the 
Miamis.  "  We  must,  therefore,"  he  added.  "  see  his  face,  for 
"  we  can't  determine  imtil  we  know  what  they  are  about.  So 
"  we  beg  you  to  grant  our  request,  to  keep  your  mind  easy  ;  for 
"  we,  who  do  this  business,  look  on  you,  and  hold  ourselves  to 

•  The  words  used  in  Col.  Proctor's  narrative ;  but  whether  he  meant  the  British 
or  Indian  hcad-qnarters,  the  author  cannot  say.     Probably  the  former. 

*  Frottuf's  Journal. 


ntthe  Briti»h 


1791. J        MISSION  OF  o'bail  anu  col.  proctor.  303 

"  be  slaves  in  rimkinjr  of  peace.  Now,  w(3  all  say  you  must  look 
"  f(.r  Captain  Brant's  coming,  to  hear  the  words  that  come  from 
"Ins  month,  for  then  we  can  say  to  you,  what  towns  will  bo 
"(or  peace  :  and  this  is  uU  that  we  have  to  say  to  yon  lor  tins 
"litne."* 

An  ^fTort  was  made  by  Red  Jacket  to  inducf!  Proctor  and 
0'13ail  to  go  down  to  the  British  Jortress  at  Niagura  to  hold  a 
oousultntion  with  Colonel  Butler  ;  but  Colonel  Proctor  declined 
the  adoption  of  any  such  course.     The  Indians  thereupon  de- 
spa'ched  a  messenger  for  Colonel  Butler  to  meet  them  at  Buffa- 
lo Creek,  which  he  accordingly  did— but  previously  called  a 
separate  council  at  Fort  Krie.     He  afterward  h  id  an  interview 
with  Proctor,  and  endeavored  to  dissuade  him  from  visiting  the 
'■ountry  of  the  hostile  Indians,-proposing  that  the  negotiations 
fir  u  pi-ace  should  be  .oft  to  Captain  Brant  and  McKee,  who,  Co- 
lonel Dutler  ihought,  could  best  manage  the  business.     Of  course 
a  proposition  going  to  clothe  British  subjects  with  power  to  ne<ro- 
tiato  f  jr  the  government  of  the  United  States,  was  promptly 
rejected. 

One  of  the  leading  objects  of  Colonel  Proctor  in  meeting  the 
Six  Nations  at  Bulllilo,  was  to  induce  as  many  of  their  sachems 
and  warriors  as  he  could,  to  accompany  the  Corn-planter  and 
himself  to  the  Miamis  country,  to  aid,  by  their  influence,  in 
bringing  the  hostile  Indians  into  a  more  pacific  temper;  but 
from  the  wliole  cast  of  the  deliberations,  it  was  perfectly  evident 
that  the  majority  of  the  leading  chiefe  were  under  the  direct  in- 
fluence of  the  British  oflicers,  who,  it  was  obvious,  had  now 
suddenly  become  less  pacific  than  they  had  very  recently  been 
Cohm-A  Proctor  met  with  but  little  success  in  persuading  a  por- 
tion of  the  warriors  to  accompany  him  to  the  Miamis;  "and  on 
applying  to  Colonel  Gordon,  commanding  at  Niagara,  for  per- 
mission to  charter  a  British  schooner  on  Lake  Erie*  to  transport 
Inmself  and  such  Indians  as  might  feel  disposed  to  accompany 
himself  and  Corn-planter  to  Sandusky,  the  request  was  peremp- 
torily refused,     l^he  expedition  was  thus  abruptly  terminated 
and  Colonel  Proctor  returned  to  Fort  Washington.  ' 

Before  leaving  Buffalo,  however,  according  to  an  entry  in  his 
|<mmal,  Colonel  Proctor  seems  to  have  been  apprised  of  the  fact, 

»  American  State  papers— Indian  Department. 


:  u 

■       i» 
■  »« 


:  lie  If 


ri  — 


vf- 

('  t    ■ 

k 

1  ■  1 

si*       •!  '  1 

.m:»    .        ■U.I 

'.if.    I 

u 

If** 


804 


LIFE   OV    nUANT. 


noi. 


■■fi, 


ft! 


11'^.. 


ii  Bi 


which  u'ill  .sni)sr'(nioiitIy  appitar,  thiit  ( 'itptiiiii  IJrant  Jind  nol 
gone  to  l\\ti  Miiiinis  as  n  iiu'sst'ii<;(;r,  (»r  an  <il)s(;ivcr  iiioroly,  but 
tliat  lie  had  actually  <,'oiii!  to  join  tlieiii  with  his  warriors: — 

"  May  iilst.  Mising  in  private  conversation  this  evening 
"  with  Captain  O'llail,  and  silting  between  him  and  the  New- 
"  Arrow  saciieni,  I  hinted  to  Captain  O'llad  that  if  he  wonid  i^o 
"and  join  General  St.  (^lair  with  thirty-live  or  forty  of  his  war- 
priors,  ns  well  c(piipped  as  ho  could  make  thetn,  purely  to  conn- 
"tcrbalaiice  the  force  that  Hrant  had  takeik  with  him  to  the  nii- 
"  friendly  Indians,  I  would  use  endeavors  witli  the  Secretary  of 
"  War  to  procure  him  a  commission  that  should  yield  to  liini 
"and  his  jH-'ople  a  handsome  stipend,  lie  replied,  that  the  Sene- 
"cus  had  received  a  stroke  from  the  bad  Indians,  by  taking  two 
"prisoners,  a  woman  and  a  boy,  from  Conyatt ;  and  that,  should 
»'  the  hatchet  he  struck  into  the  head  of  any  of  his  people  herenl- 
"  ter,  he  would  then  inform  ine  what  he  would  undertake  to  do." 

The  natural  import  of  this  entry  in  Proctor's  journal  is,  that 
Captain  Brant  had  at  that  time  actually  joined  the  Miamis  in 
hostile  array  against  the  United  States.  It  is  possible,  however, 
that  such  was  not  at  that  time  the  fact ;  and  it  is  certain  tliiil 
General  Knox,  the  Secretary  of  War,  after  the  return  of  Colonel 
Proctor  to  Philadelphia,  did  not  so  construe  it.  In  writing  to 
Colonel  Pickering  respecting  the  council  whicli  he  was  then 
preparing  to  hold  at  the  Painted  Post  en  the  13th  of  June,  thv. 
Secretary  speaks  of  Brant's  journey  to  tl  western  Indians  as 
having  probably  been  undertaken  for  pacific  purposes,  under 
the  direction  of  the  British  officers,  who  were  using  him  with  a 
view  to  a  peace,  of  which  they  intended  to  claim  the  merit  nt 
some  future  time.  And  this  construction  would  comi)ort  \,itli 
the  idea  of  a  British  intervention,  as  heretolbrc  suggested  by 
Colonel  Gordon  and  Sir  John  Johnson. 

But  it  is,  nevertheless,  a  curious  fact,  which  speaks  largely  of 
the  talents  and  address  of  Brant,  and  the  high  importance  which 
was  attached  to  his  influence,  that  if  the  British  authorities  were 
then  thus  using  his  services,  the  American  government  was  at 
the  same  time  seeking  his  assistance  for  the  same  object.  Colo- 
nel Pickering  was  instructed  to  treat  him  with  "  great  kindness " 
if  he  could  be  persuaded  to  attend  the  council  at  the  Painted 
Post ;  and  on  the  12th  of  April,  the  Secretary  of  War  addressed  ;i 
letter  to  Governor  Clinton,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract: 


1791.J 


man  Ks-nivi.vTK  or  hih  scrivicEa. 


303 


Avvaoo    your   Excolloncy's  iullu...cc3  ovor  (Captain  Joseph 

nrmt,  I  h.vo  conccvod  the  idou  that  y..n  .ni.ht  induce  him, 

«by  proper  arrungcuienLs,  to  undertako  to  conciliate  the  western 

nlr  Tlir""'  "•^'"^"'•-'""'i  »^'-'"«  then,  to  hold  u  general 

y.        lus  me.ts,.ro  would  be  abundantly  ,nore  conrpa.ibie 

v.th  the  leehugs  and  interest  of  the  United  States  than  to  vl 

UrpatethelndKu.s.wluchsc.nKstohetheinevitahleconsecp.en'o 

0    «  war  of  long  contumance  with  then..     You  are  entire  v 

'able  to  ostuuato  .Jrar.t's  talents,  and  the  degree  of  con  d  ^ ^^ 

at  nuglu  be  placeu  in  him  on  such  an  occasion.       '        " 

Colonel   Willett,  of  whose  talent,  in  nmnaging  the  mind     f 

men  I  have  a  high  opinum,  might  accept  of  an  aV-r.cyTn  this 

occasion,  as  U  m.ght  respect  Hrant.     If  your  ExceHency  should 

"entcrtau.  the  opm.on  strongly  that  Hraut  mx^ht  he  emnloT, 

Mvuh  good  effect,  I  earnestly  recp.est  that  you^vou  d  tS 

;":;:::::l"""""^  ^-  ^'^^  purpose, accoLng  to  your;;!": 

Oth(!r  topics  were  embraced  in  the  Secretary's  letter  to  all  of 
w  .oh  Governor  Clinton  replied  on  the  27th  of  Apnl      Th« 
folovvmg  extract  r.-lafes  to  the  subject  of  this  biography -J 
•  I  have  communicated  to  Colonel  Willett  your  confidence  in 
us  ta  eats  and  desire  for  the  interpos.tioa  of  his  infl  "  " 
with  I  rant,  but  have  U  not  in  my  power  to  inform  you  of  his 
exphcu  answer."     *    •     »     "  I 'md,  in  June  last,  ar(,oint  d  an 
interview  with  Brant,  contemplating  the  danger  ;ou  appeir  to 
apprehend  from  his  address  and  his  influeuc.  with  seve    Uf 
1-   ndian  nations  (which,  I  am  persuaded,  is  very  con  ^  ra 
ble,)  and  from  diflerent  letters  I  have  since  received  from  him 
I  have  reason  to  hope  he  will  give  me  the  opportunity  oH^ 
personal  conference  with  him  at  this  place,  (Now  York  uVo 

owhchi  will  not  venture  to  say  he  may  not  be  opposed 

should  not  prevent  it.     But  the  good  tmderstandin.  between 

ns,  and  the  friendly  and  ^miliar  intercourse  I  have  .^.ccesTfu" 

y  endeavored  to  preserve,  will,  I  doubt  not,  predomiia  e  Iver 

any  transient  disgust  that  the  measures  of  the  Union  ZvhZ 

^:^^o^ro..cm  in  his  mind,  and  enable  me  tprol^^^^^^^ 

••        I^i^t"  ;  '"  "  ^T:  .^"^  P'-^-  "-  particularly  4" 
convenient.     To  accomplish  this,  however,  with  certainty,  it 


•  •• 

: ::  > 


I 

M 
M 


i  , 


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i 


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t 

i 

i 


'^^■^3 


*»*•■.'' 


306 


LIJfE    OP   BRANT. 


[1791 


'U- 


^f"**^; 


ff;^-**!. 


"  may  require  the  personal  application  of  some  one  expressly 
"  delegated,  and  in  whom  he  will  confide." 

Captain  Brant  has  buen  charged  with  great  vanity,  and  with  at- 
taching undue  importance  to  his  position  and  influence.  But  how 
few  are  the  men,  Indians  or  whites,  who  would  not  have  stood 
in  danger  of  being  somewhat  inflated,  on  finding  two  such  na- 
tions as  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  apparently  outbid- 
ding each  other  for  his  services  and  friendship?  Still,  ho  was 
looked  upon  with  no  inconsiderable  distrust  by  the  American 
Secretary  of  War.  In  his  letter  of  reply  to  Governor  Clinton, 
dated  May  11th,  the  Secretary,  after  speaking  of  the  hostility  of 
Brant  to  the  Corn-planter,  refers  to  the  former  design  of  the  Mo- 
hawk chief  to  place  himself  at  the  head  of  the  great  Indian 
confederacy,  so  often  spoken  of,  north-west  of  the  Ohio,  the  Six 
Nations  included ;  and  cites  a  letter  Avhich  he  had  just  receiv(!d 
from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  the  Indian  missionary,  intimating 
that  he  had  not  yet  abandoned  that  project.  Indeed,  Brant  him- 
self had  then  just  written  to  Mr.  Kirkland  that  he  should  yet 
like  to  compass  that  measure,  should  he  find  it  practicable.  Tlio 
United  States  could  not,  of  course,  be  favprable  to  the  formation 
of  any  confederacy,  by  which  the  whole  of  the  then  vast  body 
of  Indians  might  be  moved  by  a  single  impulse  ;  and  with  a 
view  of  diverting  him  from  such  a  purpose,  and  of  securino-  his 
friendship  to  the  United  States,  Governor  Clinton  was  requested, 
if  possible,  to  effect  the  interview  of  which  he  had  spoken,  with 
Captain  Brant.  Authority  was  also  given  the  Governor  to  en 
ter  into  any  pecuniary  engagements  which  he  should  judge  ne- 
cessary, to  make  sure  of  his  attachment  to  the  United  States. 

It  has  already  been  observed  that  the  council  held  witli  the 
Six  Nations  by  Colonel  Pickering,  at  the  Painted  Post,  in  .Tune, 
had  been  to  a  great  extent  successful.  Although  the  chiefs  at 
Buffiilo  were  for  the  most  part  under  the  influence  of  the  British 
officers  in  Upper  Canada,  and  of  course  not  very  friendly  to  the 
United  Statos  at  that  time,  yet  the  warriors  in  general  Avere  more 
amicably  disposed.  The  women,  moreover,  were  anxious  for 
peace,  and  addressed  Colonel  Proctor  upon  the  subject.  Before 
that  officer  left  Buffalo,  the  Indians  began  to  draw  off  to  meet 
Colonel  Pickering,  and  the  council  with  him  was  well  attend- 
ed— serving,  if  no  other  good  purpose,  to  divert  the  attention 
of  tlio  Indians,  and  I'y  the  distribution  of  presents  to  keep  the 


■ 

kh«M 

1791.]  MYSTKRIOUS   MOVEMENTS    OP   BRANT.  307 

young  warriors  from  indulging  their  favorite  propensity,  by 
steuhng  away  and  joining  the  Miamis.     Colonel  Pickering  had 
a  so  niduced  Captain  Hendrick  Aupamut,  the  justly  celebrated 
chief  of  the  Midihecon.u.ck,*  to  undertake  the  mission  to  the 
M.a,n.s  winch  Colonel  Proctor  and  Corn-planter  had  been  nre- 
vcted  from  performing.     Captain  Brant,  it  was  also  repovtell  to 
die  War  Department  about  the  1st  of  August,  had  returned  to 
Niagara  from  the  M.ami  town,  accompanied  by  some  of- the 
western  clnets      The  Indians  at  Pickering's  treaty  had  asserted 
that,  after  all  that  had  transpired,  Brant's  designs  were  still  pa- 
c.fic;  and  since  Lord  Dorchester,  as  already  stated,  liad  express- 
ed himself  favorable  to  a  pacification  of  the  Indian  tribes,  and 
Sir  John  Johnson  was  about  to  assemble  the  Six  Nations  a-ain 
at  Luffiilo,  strong  hopes  were  entertained  by  the  American^^o- 
vernment,  that  the  border  difficulties  would  soon  be  adiusJed 
without  the  necessity  of  another  appeal  to  arms. 

But  notwithstanding  these  favorable  indications,  the  prepara 
tions  for  another  offensive  campaign  were  not  relaxed.    And  it 
was  well  that  they  were  not.   The  movements  of  Brant,  beyond 
doubt  the  most  influential  warrior  of  his  race,  were  yet  myste- 
rious, and  his  designs  too  cautiously  veiled  to  be  penetrated 
The  unlimited  power  with  which  the  President  had  been  cloth- 
ed, the  preceding  year,  tc  call  mounted  militia  into  the  field  had 
been  exercised  by  General  Washington  as  far  as  was  deemed 
necessary,  and  two  expeditions  had  been  conducted  a<rainst  the 
villages  on  the  Wabash,-the  first  led  by  General  Scot?,  in  May 
and  the  second  by  General  Wilkinson.     These  desultory  excur 
sions,  however,  were  unattended  by  any  beneficial  results     A 
few  warriors  had  been  killed,  and  a  small  number  of  old  men 
women,  and  children  captured.    -But  such  results  were  not  cal- 
culated to  make  any  serious  impression  upon  the  savages  or  to 
have  any  particular  influence  on  the  war.     It  was  likewise  well 
known  that  the  Indians  had  received  from  the  British  posts 
arge  supplies  of  provisions  and  ammunition,  immediately  after 
he  defeat  of  General  Harrnar  the  preceding  Autumn.     This 
»act,  It  IS  true,  w.is  disclaimed  by  Lord  Dorchester,  but  it  was 
nevertheless  certain ;  and  it  was  also  certain  that,  in  addition  to 
the  unfriendly  influence  of  the  British  officers  on  the  frontiers 


'>• 


::> 


i 


* 


'  'i   •■', 

II 

*": 

i:f       :j 

'  s 

•*■»■!! 


*« 


*! 


■ '( 


••I 


Nt 


30S 


LIFE   OF    BRANT. 


[1791, 


tlie  English  and  French  traders,  scattered  among  the  Indian 
towns,  were  constantly  inciting  them  to  acts  of  hostility. 

Under  these  circumstances,  all  the  efforts  of  the  United  States 
to  bring  the  hostile  Indians  to  a  friendly  council  having  failed, 
the  conquest  of  the  Miami  country  and  the  expulsion  of  the 
Indians  became  necessary.  The  most  vigorous  measures  within 
the  power  of  the  Executive  had  failed  in  raising  the  troops  atid 
bringing  them  into  the  field  until  the  month  of  September.  On 
the  7th  of  that  month  General  St,  Clair  moved  from  Fort  Wash- 
ington, north,  toward  the  Miamis — establishing,  on  his  way, 
two  intermediate  posts,  at  the  distance  of  more  than  forty  miles 
from  each  other,  as  places  whence  to  draw  supplies  should  the 
army  be  in  need,  or  upon  which  to  fall  back  in  the  event  of  dis- 
aster. At  the  farthest  of  these  posts,  called  Fort  Jefferson,  re- 
inforcements of  militia,  to  the  number  of  three  hundred  and  six- 
ty, were  received — augmenting  the  army  to  about  two  thousand 
men.  With  this  force  St.  Clair  moved  forward,  but  the  ne- 
cessity of  opening  a  road  through  the  forests  rendered  his  pro- 
gress slow.  The  Indians  hung  in  small  scattered  parties  iijion 
the  tianks,  and  by  the  skirmishing  thwit  took  place,  were  some- 
what annoying.  Added  to  these  vexations,  the  militia  began  to 
desert ;  and  as  the  army  approximated  more  nearly  to  the  enemy's 
country,  sixty  of  them  went  off  in  a  body.  It  was  likewise  re- 
ported to  be  the  determination  of  those  "  brave  defenders  of  their 
country's  soil "  to  fall  upon  the  supplies  in  the  rear ;  to  prevent 
which  act  of  moral  treason,  it  was  judged  necessary  to  detach 
Major  Hamtramck  in  pursuit. 

After  these  reductions,  the  effective  force  of  St.  Clair  that  re 
mnined  did  not  exceed  fourteen  hundred  men — including  both 
regulars  and  militia.  Moving  forward  with  these,  the  right 
wing  commanded  by  General  Butler  and  the  left  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Darke,  both,  like  the  Commander-in-chief,  veterans  of 
Revolutionary  merit,  on  the  3d  of  November  they  had  ap- 
proached within  about  fifteen  miles  of  the  Miamis  villages. 
The  army  encamped  for  the  night  on  the  margin  of  a  creek,  the 
militia  crossing  in  advance,  to  encamp  on  the  other  side.  Here 
a  few  Indians  were  discovered  ;  but  these  fleeing  with  precipi- 
tation, the  army  bivouacked  for  the  night — the  situation,  and 
the  dispositions  both  for  defence  and  to  guard  against  surprise, 
being  of  tlie  most  judicious  character. 


"«  ••I 


'in  M 


M ' 


1791.] 


DEFEAT    OF   ST.    CLAin. 


309 


This  position  had  been  selected  with  a  view  of  throwincr  np 
a  sl^ht  defence,  and  awaiting  the  return  of  Major  1^4,' 
With  the  first  regunent.     Both  designs  were  anti  ipated -u  d  c 
cumvented  by  the  Indians.     About  half  an  hour  before  sunrise 
on  the  mornn^g  of  the  4th,  just  after  the  soldiers  were  dism  ssS 
rom  parade  the  mihtia,  who  were  about  a  quarter  of  a  mTle  n 
front,  were  briskly  attacked  by  the  Indians.     Like  most  m  iti" 
men,  their  first  impulse  wo.  to  run-and  that  in^    "      a 
beyed  in  the  greatest  terror  and  wildest  confiision.  ' R ",  h" 
through  the  mam  encampment,  with  the  enemy  close  unof 

ne  lines  had  been  formed  at  the  firing  of  the  first  o-nu  •  but 
the  panic-stricken  militia  broke  through,  and  thus  o^en  d    he 

The  offi      "'T~"^  "'^^"^^"^  ^^^^•'^h  was  not  lost  up  nh 
The  officers  endeavored  to  restore  order  in  viin  -.ithi     .    r 
a  ti.no,  the  divisions  of  Butler  and  Darl  "  whrii  re„Sp^ 
about  seventy  yards  apart,  were  kept  ,n  position.     Buthrin 
dians  charged  upon  them  with  great  intrepidity-bear     'Iwn 
upon  he  centre  of  both  divisions  in  great  numlrs.     The tuu 
ery  ot  the  Americans  was  of  little  or  no  service  as  the   ndi.ns 

behmd  the  t  ees-spnnging  from  tree  to  tree  with  incredib  e 
swiftnesr  and  rarely  presenting  an  available  mark  to  he  el 
even  of  he  rifleman.     Having,  in  the  impetuosity  of  "hir  pur 

u.tof  the  fugitive  militia,  gained  the  rear  of  St  C  I'th  v 
poured  a  destructive  fire  upon  the  artillerists  from  ev  y  direc 
^on  mowmg  them  down  by  scores,  and  with  a  da  hrj^m 
practised  by  the  Indians,  leaping  forward,  and  comr^^etinl  the 
work  of  death  at  the  very  guns.  General  St.  Clair  was  ^  elf 
s.ck,  having  been  severely  indisposed  for  several  we"         He 

suniedhis  post,  however,  and  though  extremely  feebe    d 

V  red  his  orders  in  the  trying  emergencv  with  jud^mem  and 

el -possession.     But  he  was  laboring  under  the  disXant'e 

f  commanding  militia  upon  whom  there  was  no  reli  1^  nd 

having  few,  if  any,  but  raw  recruits  among  his  regular       The 

.anded  by  officers  of  thJtiglS^^^^lSf^;;^;^  :;:;:; 
d  advantage  General  Butler  fell  early  iu  the'actio;  ^.i 
.ouuded,  and  was  soon  afterward  killed  outright,  undercircum! 


„:> 


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to 


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;>., 


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•••«•.. 


ir 


■7-1  , 


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t 

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y 

mt 

'      '*    .  ! 

m 

i        '         ' 

l^li 


if 


•li 


1  '- 


310 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1791. 


Stances  of  deep  atrocity.  Among  the  Indian  warriors  were  con- 
siderable numbers  of  Canadians,  r-jfugces  from  the  United  States 
and  half-breeds — young  men  born  of  Indian  mothers  in  the  re- 
mote Canadian  settlements.*  These  motley  allies  of  the  savajics 
were  even  more  savage  than  their  principals.  Among  tlieiii 
was  the  noted  and  infamous  Simon  Girty,  whose  name  has  oc- 
curred in  a  former  part  of  the  present  work.  After  the  action, 
Girty,  who  kn.,\v  General  Butler,  found  him  upon  the  field, 
writhing  from  the  agony  of  his  wounds.  Butler  spoke  to  him, 
and  requested  him  to  end  his  misery.  Tiie  traitor  refused  to  do 
this,  but  turning  to  one  of  the  Indian  warriors,  told  him  tho 
wounded  man  was  a  high  officer ;  whereupon  the  savage  planted 
his  tomahawk  in  his  head,  and  thus  terminated  his  suffermfrs. 
His  scalp  was  instantly  torn  from  his  c-own,  his  Iieart  taken  out, 
and  divided  into  as  many  pieces  as  there  were  tribes  engaged 


in 


the  battle. 

The  Indians  had  never  fought  with  such  fury  before.  The 
forest  resounded  with  their  yells,  and  they  rushed  upon  the 
troops,  under  their  favorite  shelter  of  trees,  until  they  had  par- 
tially gained  possession  of  the  camp,  artillery  and  all.  Ascertain- 
ing that  the  fire  of  their  troops  produced  no  perceptible  etrecl 
upon  the  Indians,  recourse  was  liad  to  tho  bayonet.  Colonel 
Darke  made  an  impetuous  charge  at  the  head  of  the  Isft  wiiiij, 
and  drove  the  enemy  back  about  four  hundred  yards,  with  some 
loss.  But  not  having  a  sufficient  number  of  riflemen  to  main 
tain  his  advantage,  he  gave  over  the  pursuit — being  instantly 
pursued  in  turn  imder  a  deadly  fire.  The  same  gallant  officer 
was  subsequently  ordered  to  make  a  second  charge,  which  "he 
])erformed  with  equal  bravery — clearing  for  the  moment  that 
portion  of  the  camp  to  whicli  his  attention  was  directed.  But 
the  Americans  were  now  completely  surrounded ;  and  while 
he  was  driving  the  Indians  in  one  direction,  clouds  of  them 
were  seen  to  fall,  "  with  a  courage  of  men  whose  trade  is 

*  "A  great  many  young  Canadians,  and,  in  particular,  many  tliat  were  born  of 
Indian  women,  fought  on  the  side  cf  the  Indians  in  tliis  action ;  a  circumstance 
which  coiifirmrd  the  people  of  the  Stales  in  the  opinion  they  had  previously  formed, 
that  the  Indians  wen;  t-ncouraged  and  abetted  in  their  attacks  upon  them  l)y  tiie 
British.  I  can  safely  affirm,  however,  from  having  conversed  with  many  of  these 
young  men  who  fouiiht  a<;ainst  St.  Clair,  that  it  was  with  the  utmost  secrecy  they 
left  their  homes  to  join  the  Indians,  fearful  lest  the  government  should  censure  their 
conduct." — WeliPs  Travth  in  Canada. 


•*... 


•  •• 


.e  I- 


:se,  which 'lie 


1791. J 


i>i:FEAT    OF    .ST.    CLAfR. 


311 


war     upon    unother  point-keeping   „p  «  most  destructive 
to  fron.  every  quarter.     The  use  of  the  bayonet  was  Zl 
.tended   wuh  temporary  success,  but  each  charge  was    .he 
attended  l,y  .severe  loss,  e,specially  of  officers  ;  norin  a  sin.  e 
.nstunco   were   the   Americans  able   to   retah    the   adva  S 
thus  severely  yarned.     Finally,  a  large  proportion  of  J^e  be^ 
ai.d  bravest  officers  having  fallen,  nearly  al/that  had  b  en  pre 
served  01  order  d  sappeared.     The  men  huddled  to'e  her    ,' 
j^roups  and  were  shot  down  without  resistance.     HaX  don" 
all  under  the  c.rcumstances,  that  a  brave  man  could  d^t^d 
mding  that  the  day  was  lost  past  recovery,  Genera    St  Hir 
irocted  Colonel  Darke,  with  the  .second  regime  ^'o  c^ar^ 
body  of  Indians  who  had  gained  the  road  in  the  r  ar,  and  thus 
pen  a  door  o    r.treat.     The  order  was  promptly  and  succe^ 
..  ly  oxec.ucd.  and  a  disorderly  flight  enlued.'  The  vi  tor  o  J 
liuhaus    .Ilowed  up  their  advantage  to  the  distance  of  0!^ 
™l-s,  when,  loa.n,g  the  pursuit,  they  directed  their  a  ten  tin  to 
tI.o  p!.u.<ler,  and  ceased  fighting  to  revel  in  "the  spo  Is  If^h^ 

::z:Tr  ''"/i'^'"^^  ^^^'""^^  ^'^-  %hti  ;^i  ^ 

0    ort  Jederson.     Here  they  met  Major  Hamtmmck  with    he 
f.r.  rogun<3nt ;  but  it  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  n^  ke  a  11/ 
.-.ul  the  remams  of  the  army  fell  back  to  Fort  Was     .^tl     -^ 
Hanmr  had  done  the  year  before.     The  retreat  was  ind  ^d  mo 
disorderly  and  cowardly.     «  The  camp  and  the  artillery  "  Tv 
General   St    f  la.r   in  Ins  narrative  of  the  campaign'' <  were 
bandoned;  but  that  was  unavoidable,  for  no    a  h^-se  w  s 
left  0  draw  it  off,  had  it  otherwise  been  practicable.     But  Z 
mos   disgraceful  part  of  the  business  is,  that  the  greatest  part 
0    tho  n,,,  threw  away  their  arn.  and  accoutr^e'  n 
fter  the  purstut  had  ceased.     I  found  the  road  strewed  with 
thorn  for  many  miles,  but  was  not  able  to  remedy  it  •  for  hav 
2ha^;  1  -yl-es  killed,  and  being  moui  \  ;o?o  ^ 
that  could  not  be  pricked  out  of  a  walk,  I  could  not  <n>t  Z 
"ward  myself,  and  the  orders  I  sent  forward,  either  to  hd    the 

^tl'dl!""^'^'" '" """ '-'''''  ^^"^  ^^^'^  --'  ---at 

This  was  one  of  the  severest  battles  ever  fonght  with  the  In- 
dmns    the  latter  being  unaided  by  any  other  description  0  force 
e  cepting  the  wild   half-breed  Canadians  n!re.-,dv  m"     ioned 
The  loss  01  the  Americans,  in  proportion  to  the  mm  beTenZ  d 


"Til 
.  'J 


t 


1    ,  ■  f 
>  < 


•r" 

^* 

•' " 

% 

"*■«( 

't 

•«« 

z 

•■» 

'S 

tl> 

)«' 

•It* 

:'i:  •     •■    •*«. 

■  1 

»  II  la 

■fj 

■  ■ 

•*^ 

If'*'*-. 


312 


MFE   OP   BRANT 


11791. 


^: 


was  very  severe.  Thirty-eight  commissioned  officers  were  killed 
on  the  field,  und  four  hundred  and  ninety-three  non-commission- 
ed officers  and  privates  killed  and  missing.  Twenty-one  com- 
missioned officers  were  wounded,  several  of  whom  mortally,  and 
two  hundred  and  forty-two  non-commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vates were  also  wounded.  General  Butler,  who  fell  early  in 
the  action,  was  a  brave  man ;  and  with  many  other  excellent 
officers  who  fell,  "  had  participated  in  all  the  toils,  the  dangers, 
"  and  the  glory,  of  that  long  conffict  which  terminated  in  the  in- 
"dependence  of  their  country."* 

The  loss  of  the  Indians  was  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
killed  and  a  considerable  number  wounded.  Their  immediate 
booty  was  all  the  camp  equipage  and  baggage,  six  or  eight  field- 
pieces,  and  four  hundred  horses.  As  the  contest  was  one  for 
land,  the  Indians,  in  their  jmitilations  of  the  dead,  practised  a 
bitter  sarcasm  upon  the  rapacity  of  the  white  men,  by  filling 
their  mouths  with  the  soil  they  had  marched  forth  to  conquer  t 

General  St.  CI  air  imputed  no  blame  to  his  officers.  On  the 
contrary,  he  awarded  them  the  highest  praise  for  their  good 
conduct ;  and  of  those  who  were  slain,  he  remarked, — "  It  is  a 
"  circumstance  that  will  alleviate  the  misfortune  in  some  mea- 
"  sure,  that  all  of  them  fell  most  gallantly  doing  their  duty." 
Prom  the  fact  of  his  being  attacked  at  all  points  as  it  were  at 
the  same  moment,  it  was  the  General's  opinion  that  he  had  been 
overwhelmed  by  numbers.  But  from  subsequent  investigation 
it  appeared  that  the  Indian  warriors  counted  only  from  a  thou- 
sand to  fifteen  hundred.  But  they  fought  with  great  desperation. 
Their  leader,  according  to  the  received  opinion,  was  Meshecun- 
naqna,  or,  the  Little  Turtle,  a  Oistinguished  chief  of  the  Mi- 
amis.  He  was  also  the  leader  of  the  Indians  against  General 
Harmar  the  year  before.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  though 
nominally  the  commander-in-chief  of  ihe  Indians  on  this  occa- 
.sion,  he  was  greatly  indebted  both  to  the  counsels  and  the  prow- 

♦  Marslinll's  Lifu  of  Washington.  For  a  ballad  giving  an  account  of  this  dis- 
astrous battle,  fee  Appendix,  No.  VH. 

f  Two  years  afterward,  when  the  battle-pround  was  re-occupied  by  the  army  of 
Wayne,  its  appearance  was  most  melancholy.  Within  the  space  of  about  three 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  square  were  found  five  hundred  skull  bones,  the  most  of 
which  were  collected  and  buried.  For  about  five  miles  in  the  direction  of  the  retreat 
of ''  c  army,  the  woods  were  strewn  with  skeletons  and  muskets.  Two  brass  fieid- 
piecea  were  found  in  a  creek  not  fai  distant. — Drake's  Book  of  the  Indians. 


.v.{i 


t  was  one  for 


count  of  this  dis- 


1791.] 


DEFEAT   OP   ST.   CLAIR. 


313 


ess  of  another  and  an  older  chief.     One  hundred  and  fifty  of 
the  Mohawk  warnors  were  engaged  in  this  battle ;  and  General 
St.  Clair  probably  died  in  ignorance  of  the  fact,  that  one  of  the 
master-spirits  gainst  M'hom  he  contended,  and  by  whom  he  was 
so  signally  defeated,  w.is  none  other  than  Joskph  Buant- 
HAYENDANEGEA.*    How  it  happened  that  this  distinguished 
chief,  from  whom  so  much  had  been  expected  as  a  peace  maker, 
has  suddenly  and  efficiently  threw  himself  into  a  position  of  ac- 
tive hostility,  unless  he  thought  he  saw  an  opening  for  reviving  his 
project  of  a  great  north-western  Confederacy,  is  a  mystery  which 
he  IS  believed  to  have  carried  in  his  own  bosom  to  the  grave. 

The  news  of  the  decisive  defeat  of  General  St.  Clair  spread 
a  gloom  over  the  whole  country-deepened  by  the  mourning 
lor  the  many  noble  spirits  who  had  fallen.     The  panic  that  m! 
vailed  along  the  whole  north-western  border,  extending  f'om 
he  confines  of  New-York  to  the  estuary  of  the  Ohio,  was  grea^ 
beyond  description.     The  inhabitants  feared  that  the  InJIns 
enibodened  by  success,  and  with  greatly  augmented  nuS 
would  pour  down  upon  them  in  clouds,  uid  lay  waste  a  1  the 
frontier  settlements  with  the  torch  and  the  tomahawk  ev  a  if 
some  modern  Alaric  of  the  forest  did  not  lead  his  ba  barlT  to 
he  gates  of  Rome.  Nor  ^ere  these  apprehensions  by  any  means 

TT^  S'T'';  ^-ive  months  that  followed  the  ru 
ot  St.  Car,  the  depredations  of  the  savages  became  more  fu 
nous  and  terocious  than  ever  before ;  and  some  of  t^e  most  tra 

oTiiri::r  ^  ^^ '''-'' '-'  ^^-  -  ^^«  -^^ 

*  This  interesting  fact  has  been  derived  bv  the  author  frr>m  ti 
mily,    Ho  has  in  vain  son^-ht  for  it  in  m\nt     uVl  Thayendanegca's  la 

government  of  the  United  States  wa,  .^aI    ,  r    ,  ^  '  *^°"''^  "**'"'  '*«»'  '^e 

the  Indians  who  fou^h    his  batt  L     '7  K  "u  "'  '"  ""=  ""'"''"«  ""^  '"b^^  of 

.ai.  Peter  Pond  and^wir^^^^^^  '^«^.  Cap- 

sengers,  it  was  a  part  of  their  inst-„-flnn«T    k?         r        ^"^""^  •=°"'"'y  ««  nies. 
V.de  Indian  StateVpcrs  vl  iv  p  iT  """  "P°"  th.e  points- 

t  Thatcher's  Livas  of  the  Indian  Chiefs-Little  T.,rt!»      a 
»nthor  otes  a  well-au.hen.icated  case,  occurring  in  whal;  /"  ""  ^'T'^'  ''" 
populous  section  of  the  wc.t      Tho  I       •  .        n  "'  "'^"  P'"''"'P^  "'^  "'"at 

Jhose  „a.e  was  M^^,  ^Z^^^^  :Z::f;^'--  '"  ^--^^. 
•Joor  received  a  fire  from  an  assailin..  Dartv  nf  T,  ^    °  u    "'  »"  g«'"g  t" 'he 

snd  arm.    Tl.ey  attempted  to  entc  ttn  T'    "7  '  ""''"'^  ^"''^"  ^'"  "§''«  ^^S 

VOL.  n  21  ""'  '•"' '''"'  """"P^'^'J  i"  their  mav^ 


■f    i  ■ 


.^1 


■  '4 

.     '    't 

,,  iil'^^ 

wll/      :-i: 

III'  ' \: 

'?!;;■ 

It'' 


.1 


i  f. 


!!!!>.' 


If-**,, 


«». 


314 


LIFE    OP    nUANT. 


[1792. 


There  was  another  cause  of  disquietude.  It  was  f(?arcd  that, 
fluslied  with  this  defeat  of  a  second  expedition,  even  the  live  of 
the  Six  Nations  wlio  had  concUided  treaties  with  the  United 
Slates,  hut  of  whose  ultimate  fidehty  many  grains  of  distnisl 
had  hecn  entertained,  would  now  grasp  their  hatchets,  and 
rush  to  the  ranks  of  tlie  Miamis  and  their  western  allies,  'riu; 
most  earnest  appeals  to  the  government  for  protection  were 
therefore  sent  forward  by  the  infuihitants  of  the  border  towns, 
to  which  a  deaf  car  could  not  be  turned. 

The  popular  clamor  against  St.  Clair,  in  consequence  of  his 
disastrous  defeat,  was  loud  and  deep.  With  the  great  mass  of 
the  people,  it  is  success  only  that  constitutes  the  general,  and  St. 
Clair  had  been  unfortunate.  The  surrender  of  Ticonderoga  in 
1777,  was  an  event  which  had  occasioned  great  disappointment 
and  dissatisfaction  at  the  time,  and  the  recollection  was  revived, 
in  connection  with  this  signal  reverse.  But  in  neither  instiuico 
did  the  foult  lie  at  the  door  of  the  commanding  General ,  Ticon 
deroga  was  evacuated  because  indefen.sible,  and  the  battle  lost  by 
the  cowardice  of  the  militia.  Fully  conscious,  himself,  that  no 
blame  was  justly  attributable  to  him,  General  St.  Clair  applied 
to  the  President  for  an  investigation  by  a  court  of  inquiry.  The 
request  was  denied,  only  for  the  reason  that  there  were  not  ofti- 
cers  enough  in  the  service,  of  the  requisite  rank,  to  form  a  legal 
couTt  for  that  purpose.f  Aware  of  the  prejudices  excited  against 

ment  by  Mrs.  Merrill  and  her  daughter,  who  closed  the  door  so  firmly  as  to  kocp 
them  at  bay.  They  next  bewail  to  cut  their  way  through  the  door,  and  succeeded  in 
breaking  an  aperture,  through  which  one  of  the  warriors  attempted  to  enter.  The 
lady,  however,  was  prepared  lor  the  event,  and  as  he  thrust  his  head  within,  she 
struck  it  open  with  an  axe,  and  instantly  drew  his  body  into  the  house.  His  com- 
panions, not  knowing  the  catastrophe,  but  supposing  that  he  had  worked  his  way 
through  successfully,  attempted  one  after  another,  to  follow.  But  Mrs.  Merrill  dealt 
a  fata!  blow  upon  ev^ry  head  that  pushed  itself  through,  until  five  warriors  lay  dead 
at  her  feet.  By  this  time  the  party  without  had  discovered  the  fate  of  their  more 
forward  companions,  and  thought  they  would  effect  an  entrance  by  a  safer  process- 
a  descent  of  the  chimney.  The  contents  of  a  feather-bed  were  instantly  emptied 
upon  the  fire,  creating  a  smoke  so  dense  and  purgent,  as  to  bring  two  more  warriors 
headlong  ('own  upon  the  hearth  in  a  state  of  half  suffocation.  The  moment  was 
critical,  as  the  mother  and  daughter  were  guarding  the  door.  Ther.usband,  however, 
by  the  assistance  of  his  little  son,  though  sorely  maimed,  managed  to  rid  him- 
self of  those  two  unwelcome  visitors  by  a  billet  of  wood.  Meantime  the  wife  repell- 
ed another  assault  at  the  door— severely  wounding  another  Indian;  whereupon  the 
assailants  relinquished  the  siege.  For  another  highly  interesting  narrative  of  border 
tufforinas  in  the  Spring  of  1792,  see  Appendix,  No.  VIII. 
t  Letter  of  President  Waslungton  to  General  St  Clair,  March  2S,  1792. 


xcited  amiiiist 


1792.] 


APPOINTMENT   OP   gKN.    WAYNE. 


315 


h.m  m  the  puhhc  mind,  tlie  unfortunate  General  spontanoou.slv 
announced  h.s  intention  of  resigning  Ins  conunission,  swnr,,i 
mg,  however,  that  he  should  prefer  retaining  it  until  his^'eon- 
duct  could  be  nivestigatcd  in  some  way  ;  but  as  the  military  es- 
tabhshment  at  that  ti,ne  allowed  only  one  Major  General" and 
as  the    service  required  the  speedy  designation  of  a  successor 
dus  request  was  also  denied,  though   with  reluctance,  by  the' 
Pres^ent       Complaints,  it  is  true,  were  poured  into  the  ears  of 
the  President  against  him.     Among  others,  General  John  \rm- 
strong,  the  hero  of  Kittaning,  and  an  experienced  Indian  fiohter 
in  Pennsylvania,  addressed  a  letter  to  the  President,  censurin<r 
the  generalship  of  St.  Clair.f     It  is  believed,  however,  that  tlm 
veteran  Governor  of  the  North-western  Territory  continued  in 
the  full  enjoyment  of  the  President's  confidence  to  the  last 

The  appointment  of  a  successor  to  St.  Clair  as  Commander 
in-chief  of  the  army,  was  a  source  of  no  little  perplexity  (o  the 
President.  His  own  inclinations  were  in  ilivor  of  Governor 
Homy  Lee  of  Virginia  ;  but  it  was  apprehended  that  difficulties 
would  arise  in  procuring  the  services  of  officers  who  had  been 
Jus  seniors  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  as  subordinates  under 
hiin.  There  appear  to  have  been  several  candidates,  amono- 
whom  were  Generals  Morgan  and  Scott,  and  Colonel  Darke° 
who  had  served  under  St.  Clair  during  the  last  campaign  Ul ' 
timately  the  appointment  was  conferred  upon  General  Anthony 
Wayne.  The  selection  was  most  unpopular  in  Virginia  •  but 
the  result  demonstrated  its  wisdom.!  ' 

♦  Letter  of  the  President  to  General  St.  Clair,  April  4,  1792. 
t  Sparks's  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Washington,  Vol  X  p  223 
t  Governor  Lee  wrote  to  President  Washingtou^on  the  15th  of  June,  respectino 
theseleetionof  a  successor  of  General  St.  Clair  at  large,  and  on  the  suLct  o^f 
Waynes  appointment  in  particular,  he  said  .—"  You  cannot  be  a  stran-^er  to  the 
exireme  disgust  which  the  late  appointment  to  the  command  ot  the  army  excited 
amon^all  orders  in  this  state."    To  this  letter  the  President  replied  at  length. 
1  he  following  paragraph  contains  the  answer  to  the  remark  of  Governor  Lee  given 
a  ove :_  ■  How  far  .he  appointment  of  General  Wayne  is  a  popular  or  an  unpopu- 
__  lar  measure  is  not  for  me  to  decide.    It  was  not  the  determination  of  the  moment, 
nor  was  it  the  effect  of  partiality  or  of  influence  ,■  for  no  application  (if  that  in  any 
mstance  could  have  warped  my  judgment)  was  ever  made  in  his  behalf  from  any 
one  who  could  have  thrown  the  weight  of  a  feather  into  hisscale;  but  because,  un- 
__1er  a  Hill  view  of  all  circumstances,  he  appef.red  most  eligible.    To  a  person  of 
_your  observation  and  intelligence  it  is  unnecessary  to  remark,  that  an  apnoint. 
ment,  u-nich  may  be  .n,,opular  in  one  place  and  with  one  set  of  men,  ,nay  not  be 
80  m  another  place  or  with  another  sei  of  men,  and  vice  versa;  ^nd  that  to  attempt 


'••• 


rii  M 


,:> 


•*  m 
:  HI 

il 


r'- 


•  t 


'fli'n 


■     |/, 

'^^ 

'ihi  I 

mmi 

: 

^f'pf  i'^ 

,;   ■>   ':  ffi  ■ 

!        •!     &    '•       'l 

',  i  Ilif  ' 


LIPK    OP   BRANT. 


[1792. 


Rufus  Putnam,  a  son  of  rhe  veteran  of  Bunker  Hill,  who  hnxl 
served  with  credit  in  the  war  of  tlie  Revolution,  and  who  imd 
settled  in  the  North-western  Territory  soon  after  the  close  of 
that  contest,  was  appointed  a  hrigadier-general,  to  serve  with 
Wayne.  This  appointment  was  tendered  to  Colonel  Willett  of 
New- York,  but  declined  by  that  gentleman  upon  the  ground  of 
conscientious  scruples  with  regard  to  fighting  the  Indians.  '•  It 
"  has  been  uniformly  my  opinion,"  said  the  Colonel  in  a  letter 
to  the  President,  «  that  the  United  States  ought  to  avoid  an  hi- 
"  dian  war.  I  have  generally  conceived  this  to  be  our  wisest 
«  policy.     The  reasons  alleged  in  support  of  the  present  Indian 

war  have  never  brought  conviction  to  my  mind.  From  my 
''  knowledge  and  experience  of  these  people,  I  am  clear  that  it  is 
'« not  a  difficult  thing  to  preserve  peace  with  them.  That  there 
«  are  bad  men  among  them,  and  that  these  will  at  times  do  acts 
<'  which  deserve  punishment,  is  very  clear.  But  I  hold,  that  to 
«  go  to  war  is  not  the  proper  way  to  punish  them.  Most  of  the 
"  Indians  that  I  have  had  any  knowledge  of,  are  conceited  and 
"  vain.  By  feeding  their  vanity,  you  gain  their  good  opinion ; 
«  and  this  in  time  procures  their  esteem  and  affection.  By  con- 
iuating  their  good-will,  you  will  render  them  susceptible  of 
«  almost  any  impression.  They  are  credulous,  yet  suspicious. 
«  They  think  a  great  deal ;  and  have  in  general  good  notions  of 
«  right  and  wrong.  They  frequently  exhibit  proofs  of  grateful 
"  minds  ;  yet  they  are  very  revengeful.  And  though  they  are 
«  not  free  from  chicanery  and  intrigue,  yet  if  their  vanity  is  pro- 

'  perly  humored,  and  they  are  dealt  justly  by,  it  is  no  difficult 
«  matter  to  come  to  reasonable  terms  with  them.  The  inter- 
«  course  I  have  had  with  these  people,  the  treatment  I  have  my- 
« self  received  from  them,  and  which  I  have  known  others  to 
«  receive,  make  me  an  advocate  for  them.     To  fight  with  them, 

<  would  be  the  last  thing  I  should  desire.  And  yet.  Sir,  I  do- 
"  clare,  from  the  experience  I  have  had,  I  do  not  conceive  it  dif- 
«  ficult  to  beat  them  when  bi-ought  to  action.  When  in  small 
«  parties  they  scatter  themselves  along  a  frontier,  they  have  al- 

«« to  please  every  body  is  the  sure  way  to  please  nobody ;  because  the  attempt  would 
<'bea8  idle  as  the  exertion  would  be  impracticable.  General  Wayne  has  many 
"  good  points  as  an  officer,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  time,  reflection,  good  advice, 
"ai'-d.  above  nil,  a  due  sense  of  the  importance  of  the  trust  which  is  committed  tu 
"lum,  will  correct  his  foibles  or  cast  a  shade  over  them." 


Hi  i' 


•  •■« 


1792.] 


LETTER   OP   COL.    WlLLETT. 


817 


S  or  7  '""T^^^S^^  troublesome  and  dangerous.  This 
kind  of  warfare  is  their  forte  ;  and  in  it  they  are  found  to  be 
■jruly  tremendous.     But  when  they  attempt  any  thin  "in  ar." 

me  wiide.iu^ss,  and  the  advantage  they  usually  derive  A-om 
he  admirable  position  they  take,  that  they  arl  ea2  Te^ 

ck  W  if  "'='  ^''''^  "^^^«  '-«P^  -«  exposed'to  at 
tacks  rom  Indians,  particular  attention  should  be  paid  not 
only  to  the  mode  and  line  of  march,  but  also  to  extend tmal 

"Indians  is  ^.„e.,„  paid  Su.tlr  JelSbr"  7,1 

no  aspire  alter     If  m  any  way  1  could  be  instrumental  in  ^f 

fcctnigaud  n^mtaimngpcaee  with  them,  it  would  tea  l^r^l" 

"  of  jrreat  gratification."  souico 


■  II  M 

■»  W 


M 
ill 


le  attempt  would 
''ayno  has  many 
on,  good  advice, 
is  committed  to 


tmlit 


<* 

I'liP 

'^1 

> 

:./i 

m 

>0* 

^"if 

iH 

,1,  f-  ■  ■.' 

';i^^| 

'J 

'■  '■    '        ^'y 

^^H 

Xr  ' 


•1     ' 


If- 


ll.-! 


i. 

ii 

«c 


M. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Preparitijns  for  an  In  lian  Coniiiltation  at  Philndolphiii— Cnntnin  Drant  invitoti  ti» 
attend— Ilia  oliji'clions — Lcllcr  iif  llu!  Kcv.  Mr.  Kiikliiiid  to  Cnptiiiii  I'riini— 
Letter  of  tliu  SL-<;r(:tury  of  Wur  to  tlie  siiniu — Lclirr  ol  (.'dlojicl  (iunloii  In  llio 
same — Letter  of  Ciipliiin  Brant  to  the  Sccrcliiry  of  Wnr — 'I'lie  ijecretnr)'  of  War 
to  Captuin  Hriint — AtltMnpIs  from  Montreal  to  prevent  Brant  fmin  poiiii;  In  I'hilu. 
delj)hi.i— llifi  joiinii'v — Ki.'elin^s  against  liiin  in  the  Moliawk  Valley — Ills  arrlvul 
at  New- York  anil  Philadelphia — I.iheral  oHers  made  him — Letter  to  the  Cnnrit 
de  Puisy — The  offers  rejected — Underlukes  a  MisKion  of  Peaee  to  llie  Mianiis — 
Uetnrns  to  New-York — Pursued  hy  a  German  from  the  firrnian  Plats  hent  on 
tnkinj;  hia  life — Discovered  in  NeA-York — Brnnl  relurns  to  Niagara — Mnrder 
of  Colonel  Harden  and  Major  Trnenian — Letters  of  Brunt  to  the  Secretary  iit 
War — Feelings  of  iho  Western  Nations— Correspond-nce  between  Branl  and 
McKec— Great  Indian  Conncil  at  tlie  An  (ilaize- Sicknesii  of  t^'aptain  Brant 
— Hostilities  deferred  until  Sprins  a-  I  a  tnaly  with  :lie  Unitid  Stales  ordered— 
Return  of  the  Delegates  of  the  Six  Nations— Address  to  President  Wnshiniiton 
— Separate  organization  of  Upp(!r  Canada — Arrival  of  Governor  Sirneoe — Litter 
to  Brant  from  tho  Diiko  of  Northmnberland— Preparations  for  the  Cireat  Council 
of  1783— Fresh  dissatisfaction  of  the  Indians — Private  Coimclls— They  send 
their  ultinuitum  in  antici|)ation — The  American  Commissioners  depart  for  llio 
Indian  country — Their  arrival  at  Niagara — Friendly  eondiict  of  Governor  Siincoe 
— Celebration  of  theKintr'a  Birth-day — I'hi'  Commissioners  start  for  the  West— 
Their  progress  inlerriipted— Condiiet  of  (ieneril  Waynt!— Brant  suddenly  ro. 
turna  from  the  West  with  a  Depiit.ili m — Conncil  held  at  Foi  Erii^ — Comrnis- 
Bioncrs  return  to  Niajjara — Council  l. ere— Speech  of  Captain  Brant — Reply  »f 
the  Commissioners' — Speech  of  Cat's-I'ves— Rejoinder  of  Brant— Ariival  of  tin 
Seven  Nations — Brant  proceeds  to  tlic  Miami  Rapids— Followed  by  theCniiiims- 
sionera — Arrival  at  the  Detroit  River— Their  progress  interrupted — Unexpee'  d 
turn  of  affiiirs — Expianiitions  with  Depnii  s  from  the  Great  Council — Lon^  |ii- 
bates  in  the  Indian  Co  mril  — Brant  speaks  strongly  fir  peace— Governor  Sinidm 
declines  advisins  the  Indians — Tiie  negotiationa  siu.denly  terminated  by  the  In- 
dians— Their  address — And  sine  qua  non. 

At  the  treaty  with  the  Six  Nations,  except  the  Mohawlcs, 
holden  by  Colonel  Pickcrins^  at  the  Painted  Post,*  in  the  preced- 
ing- month  of  June,  an  arran'^''(!:iieut  *vas  inado  with  certain  of 
their  chiefs  to  visit  Philauolphia,  then  the  seat  of  goveniniciit  of 
the  United  States,  during  the  session  of  Congress  to  ensn(>  in  the 
winter  of  1791 — 92.  The  motive  for  this  invitation  was  three- 
fold. First,  if  possible,  to  attach  them  more  cordially  to  t!:e 
interests  of  the  United  States.  Secondly,  to  consult  as  to  the 
best  methods  of  extending  to  theni  the  advantages  and  blessings 

♦  From  the  earliest  knowledge  the  white  men  have  possessed  of  the  cnnntry 
of  weste-n  New- York,  the  Painted  Post  has  been  noted  as  a  geographical  Innd- 
mark.  "^Vhen  first  traversed  by  the  white  men,  a  larse  oaken  post  stood  at  Ihe  spot, 
which  has  retained  the  name  to  this  day.  It  was  painted  in  the  Indian  manner,  and 
was  guarded  as  a  monument  by  the  Indians,  who  renewed  it  as  often  as  it  save  evi- 
dence of  going  to  decay.  Tradition  says  it  was  a  monument  of  great  antiquity, 
markin"  liie  spot  of  a  great  and  bloody  battle,  according  to  some  statements.  Ac- 
cordin"  to  others,  it  was  erected  to  perpetuate  tho  memory  of  some  great  war-chief. 


1792.] 


NKGOTIATIONS    WITH    DRANT. 


3J9 

Of  Civilization      Thirdly,  to  impress  them  with  just  opinions  ns 
to  the  phys.cal  and  moral  «trc..gth  of  ,ho  cou  ury,  Tt   t    " 
m.ght  see  wah  thdro.n  eyes  ho^.  fntilo  nn.st  ho    my  ^2 
hkec-trortc,  the  Indians  against  the  United  States.  TLT.. 
provement  of  the  n.oral  and  social  eo.uJition  of  the  Indian    vw^ 
an  object  dear  to  the  heart  of  the  Presided,  and  iH   t  no 
opportun.ty  on  all  proper  occasions,  of  in.prJssin,  npo      h  ^ 
nnnds  the  desn-e  of  the  United  States  to  heco.ue  the  p^.ctor 
fnonds,and  nun.sters  of  good  to  all  the  sons  of  the  1;.^"^ 
ab  y  disposed      From  the  great  influence  of  Captain  lirlnT  not 
only  w.r,  ,,     S,x  Nations,  but   over  all    the  Indian       tCs 
•t  was  dc-er,od  an  nnportant  point  to  persuade  Jmn  to  attend  tho 
a    ■  .pated  Conned  at  Philadelphia.     Great  efforts  were  acco 
dingly  made  for  the  attainment  of  that  object 

The  first  invitation  was  given  by  Colonel  Pickerino-  by  letter 
Apprehendmg  however,  that  a  m. ,,  n.vitation  would  ,otbo 
asuflzceiu  nulucement  for  tlu  ..teran  chief  to  undertake  th" 
journey  the  Secretary  of  AVar,  on  the  20th  of  Decen.I  wrote 
to  the  Re.  Mr.   Kirklaud,  the  well-known  Indian  n    sio^Lt 

E;|^'S  "nT'"'   '7  ^"^'^^^°  Genesee,  to  riZ 
cliic  s  of  the  Six   Natl.   ,.  who  were  going  to  Pliiladclnlu-.  an.I 
conduct  them  thither.     Arriving  at  ^that%lace,  IV^  1      da  d 
was  mstruced  to  write  to  Captan.  Brant  in  his  'own  n^  "and 
d  spatch  messengers,  assuring  him  of  his  welcome  recent  on  by 
he  government  of  the  United  States,  and  pledging    in    IHb^ 
h.s  personal  safety.     These  steps  were  prompt  y  TaS^  Mr 
K.r  land  to  who.n  Captain  Brant  wrote  a  reply^c     in.  fe 
inv,tat,on-forwhat  reasons,  as  this  letter  seem   no        f.ave 
been  preserved  can  only  be  inferred  from  the  subselent    or 

ter  from  the  former,  it  appears  that  the  chief  thought  the  in 
^  tation  not  sufficiently  fornml.    By  a  letter  from  Mr  K  rl  hnd" 
also  addressed  to  the  chief  himself,  it  would  seem  Xt  th    h^r' 
was  apprehensive  that,  should  he  undertake  the    onrney    he 

mon  herds  of  Indians  who  fre^piently,  as  now,  were  in  the  hnhit 

mT:^:!^^''^  ^'"'^  i^«p"'^'ic,--and':h:  rti' 

^d    h  ough  the  country  in  a  drove  by   a  single  conductor 
feuch,  however,  was  not  f  hp  int^ntio-  nf  th.  ^"nuucior 

-0  fuity  appear  ,y  .he  f„l,„:~  1^^^ '™"''  ^  -«' 


I 

;  n 


:fM  ■* 


2> 

"W, 

t 

•rf''*" 

•■'  ^i^ 

'■'^ 

?    ^ 

./.f  ' 

r«' 

■■f 

•j?*' 


320 


LirE   OK   BRANT. 


[1792. 


•  1^  M  >U 


i!-^-'"i . 

1  r 

1-.,  ... , 

;^ ;  ,  ■ 

Rev.  Mn.  Kirkland  to  Captain  Brant.  (Extract.) 

"  Genesee,  February  17,  1792. 

•  *  «  «  «  «  * 

"  My  dear  and  worthy  friend,  it  is  not  in  my  power,  at  this 
instant,  even  to  attempt  such  a  reply  to  your  letter  by  Dr.  Al- 
len as  it  justly  merits.  Suffice  it  to  say,  it  was  not  in  my  idea 
that  you  should  be  crowded  into  the  company  of  all  the  old 
ciiiefe,  and  dragged  along  promiscuously  with  them,  through 
the  proposed  tour  to  Philadelphia.  No,  Sir  ;  the  respect  I  have 
for  your  character  and  liappiness  would  have  spurned  at  the 
tliought.  Dr.  Allen  was  apprised  of  this,  and  directed  to  ac 
quaint  you  with  my  instructions  relative  to  the  same.  You 
need,  Sir,  be  under  no  apprehensions  of  any  neglect,  or  want  of 
proper  attention  on  my  part,  in  the  proposed  tour,  or  of  a  cordial 
reception  upon  your  arrival  at  the  seat  of  government.  Pardon 
me,  if  I  say  you  will  have  occasion  much  more  to  fear  the  op- 
posite extreme.  There  are  so  many  matters  of  importance  rela- 
tive to  the  Indians  upon  which  I  have  a  desire  to  converse  with 
you,  that  I  cannot  willingly  relinquish  the  idea  of  a  personal  in- 
terview. 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  friend,  that  your  honor  and  happiness, 
as  well  as  the  cause  of  humanity,  have  a  share  of  my  afTection 
and  concern.  It  is  very  possible  I  may  be  partial  in  your  favor 
by  reason  of  your  rescuing  my  life  at  the  beginning  of  the  late 
war,  which  instance  I  can  never  forget,  and  have  thousands  of 
times  mentioned  to  your  praise.  I  cannot  but  flatter  myself, 
from  the  sensibility  of  soul  you  possess,  that  you  will  so  adjust' 
your  domestic  affairs  as  to  honor  me  with  a  short  visit  in  this 
vicinity  next  Spring,  should  I  return  here  at  that  season  ;  and 
should  you,  upon  mature  deliberation,  conclude  to  come  down 
sooner,  General  Chapin  and  Dr.  Allen  will  be  ready  to  wait  on 
you  wherever  you  please  to  go.  Excuse  the  abruptness  with 
which  I  close,  being  much  crowded — wishing  you  every  form 
of  happiness,  believe  me  to  be,  in  great  truth  and  esteem, 
"  Dear  Sir,  your  affectionate  friend 
"  And  very  humble  serv't. 

"S.  Kirkland. 

«  Col.  J.  Brant. 


"P.  g. 


Please  remember  me  respectfully  to  Dr.  Kerr  and 


Dr.  Kerr  and 


1793.1 


NEGOTIATIONS    WITH   BRANT. 


321 


his  lady.  I  am  exceedingly  sorry  for  the  detention  of  my  for. 
nier  letter,  which  deprived  me  of  the  happiness  of  a  personal 
interview.  I  hope  this  will  be  delivered  by  tlie  bearer's  own 
hand,  your  friend,  Captain  Hendrick." 

Nearly  at  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Kirkland  was  thus  endeavor- 
ing  to  persuade  the  chief  to  comply  with  the  request  of  the  ffo- 
vernraent  in  this  matter,  the  Secretary  of  War  addressad  direct- 
ly to  him  a  letter  as  full,  courteous,  and  formal,  as  the  most  fasti- 
dious diplomatist  could  have  desired  :— 

The  Secretary  op  War  to  Captain  Brant. 

"  Philadelphia^  February  2oth,  1792. 
Sir, 

"Colonel  Pickering,  who  had  some  communications  with  tho 
Senecas  and  others  of  the  Six  Nations,  during  the  last  two  years 
was  duly  authorised  to  invite  you  to  visit  this  city,  in  order  to 
consult  you  upon  the  best  means  of  civilizing  and  advancino 
the  happmess  of  the  Indians.  Some  information  has  been  re^ 
cently  received  from  Mr.  Kirkland,  intimating  your  disposition 
to  perform  the  visit,  but  declining  to  do  it  upon  the  former  invi 
tation,  as  not  being  sufficiently  explicit. 

"I  now  repeat  to  you  this  invitation,  accompanied  with  a 
wish  that  you  would  repair  to  this  city,  being  the  seat  of  tlie 
American  government;  and  I  can  assure  you  that  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  will  be  highly  gratified  by  receivino 
and  conversing  with  a  chief  of  such  eminence  as  you  are  on 
a  subject  so  interesting  and  important  to  the  human  race      ' 

"  This  invitation  is  given  to  you  from  the  fairest  motives. 
The  President  of  the  United  States  is  conscious  of  the  purest 
disposition  to  promote,  generally,  the  welfare  of  the  Indians :  and 
he  flatters  himself  that  proper  occasions  only  are  wanting  to  im- 
press  them  with  the  truth  of  this  assertion.  He  considers  vour 
mind  more  enlightened  than  theirs,  and  he  hopes  that  your  lieart 
IS  hlied  with  a  true  desire  to  serve  the  essential  interests  of  your 
coumrymen.  The  United  States,  much  against  the  inclination 
ot  the  government,  are  engaged  in  hostilities  with  some  of  the 
^vestern  Indians.  We,  on  our  parts,  have  entered  into  it  with 
reluctance,  and  consider  it  a.s  a  war  of  necessity ;  and  not,  as  is 
supposed,  and  industriously  propagated,  by  many,  for  the  pur- 


Hi -9 


■'4  * 


1 


•* 


.IN 

l.:lii       ill 

r't 

» 

K-i  '^ 

:t  ' 

s 

fi> 

i 

■  J 

*  ••> 

'1 

-,  ^1 

n 


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:::J| 


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••i«5 


Si'""  «ii 


322  LIFE   OP   BRANT.  [1792, 

pose  of  accumulating  more  land  than  has  been  ceded  by  the 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  since  the  peace  with  Great  Britain.  We 
are  desirous  of  bringing  it  to  a  conclusion,  not  from  any  appre- 
hension as  to  a  favorable  result,  bccuise,  by  a  comparison  of  for- 
ces and  resources,  however  troublesome  a  perseverance  therein 
may  be  to  us,  it  must  be  utter  destruction  to  the  hostile  Indians. 
We  are  desirous,  for  the  sake  of  humanity,  of  avoiding  such  a 
catastrophe. 

"  This  is  the  main  business  which  will  be  mentioned  to  you 
on  the  part  of  the  United  States  ;  ard  it  is  an  object  worthy  of 
the  best  cultivated  head  and  heart.  If  you  should  enter  into  this 
view,  Mr.  Kirkland  has  directions  to  concert  with  you  the  most 
satisfactory  mode  of  your  performing  the  journey.  The  nature 
of  the  case  will  show  the  necessity  of  your  coming  without  de- 
lay, if  you  incline  to  accept  the  invitation. 

"  I  am,  Sir, 

"  H.  Knox, 
«»  To  CapL  Joseph  BrantP 

This  letter  v/as  enclosed  by  General  Knox  to  Mr.  Kirkland, 
who  was  assured  that  the  "  presence  of  Captain  Brant  in  Phila- 
delphia was  considered  of  great  importance."  Mr.  Kirkland  was 
accordingly  enjoined  "  to  spare  no  pains  in  endeavoring  to  in- 
"  ducG  him  to  come,"  and  "  to  arrange  with  him  the  most  satis- 
"  factory  mode  of  travelling — to  make  it  as  flattering  to  him  a? 
"  might  bo,  and  to  accompany  him."  Mr.  Kirkland  despatched 
the  letter  of  the  Secretary  immediately  to  Colonel  Gordon,  at 
Niagara,  by  the  hand  of  Dr.  Allen,  with  a  request  that  it  might 
be  transmitted  by  the  Colonel  to  its  place  of  destination — Grand 
River,  But  Mr.  Kirkland's  messenger  disclosed  to  Colonel 
Gordon  the  contents  of  the  package,  thereby  enabling  that  ofR 
cer  to  exert  an  immediate  influence  upon  the  mind  of  the  chiet, 
if  he  chose  to  do  so.  The  result  was,  that,  accompanying  thu 
Secretary's  letter,  Captain  Brimt  received  the  following  commu- 
nication : — 

Colonel  Gordon  to  Captain  Brant. 

«  Niagara,  20lh  March,  1792. 
"  My  Dear  Friend, 
"  The  packet  which  I  now  send  you  was  brought  here  by  a 
Doctor  Allen,  from  Canadasago.    I  do  not  know  the  contents, 


'•<  -m 


in  H 


1792.J 


NEGOTIATIONS    WITH    BRANT. 


323 


farther,  than  the  bearer  tells  me  it  is  a  letter  from  the  Secretary 
at  War  of  the  United  States,  inviting  you  to  Philadelphia  on 
business  of  consequence. 

"  Yoiu-  own  good  sense  will  best  dictate  the  answer  von  oucrht 
to  give.  ° 

"  Should  it  have  a  reference  to  the  bringing  about  a  peace 
witli  the  Western  Indians,  I  cannot  conceive  that  Philadelphia 
1^  the  place  where  a  conference  of  so  much  moment  ou-rlit  to  be 
leld ;  as  it  is  evident  none  of  the  Western  Indians,  whose  dearest 
interests  are  concerned  i)i  th".  event,  can  be  present ;  and  if  any 
steps  are  taken  by  tho  Six  Nations  without  their  concurrence  it 
IS  much  to  be  fer  '  .WII  give  rise  to  jealousies,  which  may  be 
attended  with  d*  ..^.  .cable  consecpicnces  hereafter. 

"  If  the  United  States  have  at  length  seriously  determined  to 
do  justice  to,  and  make  peace  with,  the  Western  Indians,  a  <re.. 
neral  councd  should  be  convened  in  some  convenient  situation 
where  deputies  from  all  the  nations  concerned,  as  well  as  com' 
missioners  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain  and  America,  ran  be 
assembled.  The  views  of  all  parties  would  then  be  clearly  de- 
fined  ;  an  accurate  boundary  ascertained  ;  past  acts  of  hostility 
be  buried  in  oblivion  ;  and  sucli  mrasures  adopted  as  would 
tend  to  establish  permanent  peace  and  friendship  on  a  solid  and 
equitable  basis. 

"  In  the  many  conversations  we  have  had  on  this  subject  wc 
have  generally  agreed,  that  from  the  line  of  conduct  the  United 
States  have  hitherto  pursued,  it  did  not  appear  that  they  had  this 
object  seriously  in  view;  and  I  am  sorry  to  observe,  from  the 
mode  of  proceeding  on  the  present  occasion,  there  is  too  much 
reason  to  suspect  they  have  not  yet  seen  their  error. 

•'In  almost  every  transaction  they  have  had  with  the  Six  TS'a 
tions  during  the  course  of  the  last  two  years,  there  has  appear- 
ed a  duplicity  and  inconsistency,  on  which  it  is  impossible  to. 
put  a  liberal  construction. 

"The  Six  Nations,  in  the  present  critical  situation'of  affairs 
with  their  western  brethren,  ought  to  be  exceedingly  cautious 
how  they  involve  themselves  either  one  way  or  another.  Great 
lintain  is  at  peace  with  the  United  States,  and  it  is  therefore 
anxiously  wished  that  her  friends,  the  Indians  in  general,  should 
be  so  likewise  ;  every  advice  which  has  been  given  to  them  had 
that  object  m  view ;  and  I  ^idi  hope  the  period  is  at  no  great 


m 


'f        «      '> 


I'* : 


'—mi 


•;,.!•« 


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■■"i   ' 

...  J*' 

*"' 

itil  i 


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i;  i      ,.   ; 

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ft-'"' 

nJIft 

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324 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1792, 


distance,  when  this  desirable  event  will  be  accomplished  on 
equitable  terms,  and  to  the  mutual  satisfaction  of  all  parties. 

"  1  Iiavo  thus,  my  dear  friend,  been  induced  to  give  you  my 
private  opinion  on  the  present  occasion,  and  I  am  ftilly  persuad- 
ed you  will  pursue  a  line  of  conduct  that  will  deserve  the 
approbation  of  your  brethren  and  friends. 

"  Accept  my  sincere  good  wishes,  and  believe  me,  with  much 
regard,  your  friend, 
«  "A.  Gordon. 

"  P.  S.  I  imdefstand  some  of  the  Senecas  from  Buffalo  Creek 
are  gone  to  Philadelphia  on  Colonel  Pickering's  former  invita- 
tion, wliich,  I  am  told,  causes  much  uneasiness  in  the  village. 

«A.  G. 

"  Captain  Joseph  Brant,  Grand  River  J' 

This  was  certainly  an  artful  communication.  His  Majesty's 
commander  at  Niagara  was  desirous  that  peace  should  be  restor- 
ed between  the  Indians  and  the  United  States,  but  takes  care  not 
to  omit  the  oft-repeated  insinuations  of  injustice  and  bad  faith  on 
the  part  of  the  latter  toward  the  former.  In  one  word,  notwitli 
standing  his  pacific  protestations,  Colonel  Gordon  was  desirous 
of  peace  only  through  the  agency  of  British  intervention,  and 
his  present  purpose  was,  to  prevent  the  influential  cliief  of  the 
Mohawks  from  visiting  the  seat  of  the  American  government. 
Notwithstanding  the  Colonel's  letter,  however,  the  cliief  address 
ed  the  following  conditional  acceptance  of  the  invitation  to  thd 
Secretary  of  War : — 


Captain  Brant  to  General  Knox. 

«  Nassau,  March  27th,  1792. 
"Sir:— 
"Yours  of  the  25th  of  February  I  have  the  pleasure  ti 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of,  and  entertain  the  highest  sens*  of 
the  honor  done  me  by  the  invitation  and  flattering  complimtmt 
contained  therein.  It  is  a  visit  I  have  long  been  desirous  of  mak- 
ing, and  the  time  now  seems  not  to  be  far  distant  when  that 
desire  will  be  accomplished.  Visiting  you  as  an  individual, 
would  be  by  no  means  tending  to  the  accomplishing  any  good 
end,  as  those  meetings  must  show  that  have  hithert^j  been  held 
with  i^coplc  not  deputized  by  ihu  nation  in  genera)  to  transact 


'4i 


ne,  with  much 


1702.] 


NEQOTIATIONa    WITH    BRANT. 


325 

busiuoss    I  ,honld  therefore  wish  to  visit  you,  vested  with  some 
pov/cr  that  will  enable  me  to  speak  with  certainty  as  to  what  I 
may  assert  and  not  assert  what  I,  at  the  same  time,  must  well 
know  would  bo  by  no  means  approved  of.     This  has  been  too 
much  the  case  o(  late  years,  and  in  my  opinion  is  principally 
the  cause  of  the  present  disturbances.  An  explanation  of  LI 
mices  U  IS  absolutely  necessa.'y  should  be  made,  and  that  to  the 
head  0    the  United  States,  from  whom  I  entertain  not  the  small- 
est doubt  but  justice  will  be  given  wiiere  due.    To  acco.nplish 
such  desirable  ends  as  civilization  and  peace-makina,  nu  exer- 
tions on  my  part  shall  be  wanting  ;  and  thouga  iir^Jnistances 
render  ,t  imi-ossiblo  ib'  me  to  do  myself  the  honor  of  acceptina 
tl.0  mvitation  at  present,  us  I  cannot  say  whether  the  western 
nations  would  approve  of  it,  I  shall  nevertliele..s  despatch  mes- 
sengers nnmediatoly  to  the  Miamis,  with  your  invitation,  to  liavo 
tJ.e  opnuon  ol  the  people  there,  who,  I  have  no  great  reason  to 
.si.ppose  o  herw.se  than  that  they'll  approve  of  my  going,  and 
very  possd,ly  nivest  me  witii  such  powers  as  will  give  eLrgv 
to- what  I  may  do.  *  ^ 

"My  messengers,  I  suppose,  will  return  here  in  abo.it  thirty 
days,  nnti   wben,  I  shall  remain  at  home.     If  visiting  you  after 
t  a   Nvould  not  be  too  late  to  answer  the  good  end  tntended,  I 
mil  endeavor  to  accomplish  my  wishcd-for  journey-at  iea^t 
If  I  may  hoar  from  you  in  answer  to  this,  ere  that  period. 
"  I  am,  Sir, 

"  With  esteem, 

"  Yours,  &c. 

„  rp,     c*  "  Joseph  Brant. 

The  Secretary  of  War.'' 

Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  this  letter  at  the  W.-  Denart 
ment  General  Israel  Chapin,  of  Genesee,  was  appointed  a  De- 

ElL  n?  "^^'"^  '^  ''^  ^^"^'^^"^'  ""^  ^-^"-^^«-  to  trans- 
mit tlio  following  communication  to  Captain  Brant,  and  mak« 
all  needful  preparations  for  his  journey  :-l 

The  Secretary  op  T7ar  to  Captain  Brant 

^,a       ^^  "April  23d,  1792. 

SIR :  i  have  received  your  letter  of  the  27th  of  March,  pes*. 


[Ik  M 


:> 


I    '■. 


■>^    'i     > 


It!"" 


•t 


*•»■»., 


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i 


'■>• » ., 


; 


it-''- 


i*"!:  ,< 


'■.k\ 


i'.'     ""' 


•'«t^^,. 


326 


LIKE    OP   BRANT. 


[1792. 


r 


ponihg  your  visit  to  this  city  until  a  period  of  thirty  days  af- 

ler  that  date. 

"  I  roo-ret  exceedingly  the  existence  of  any  circumstance  which 
suspended  your  visit.  But  as  the  dispositions  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States  remain  the  same,  as  to  the  objects  mentioned 
in  my  former  letter,  I  can  with  great  truth  assure  you  that  your 
visit  at  the  time  you  have  proposed,  will  be  cordially  received. 

«  General  Chapin,  who  is  appointed  an  agent  of  the  Five  Na- 
tions, will  either  accompany  you  to  this  city,  or  he  will  obtain 
some  other  person  for  that  purpose,  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  be- 
tween you  and  him. 

'         "  I  am,  &c.  (fee. 

«H.  Knox 

«  To  Captain  Joseph  BranU^ 

Pending  this  correspondence,  however,  the  proposed  confei- 
ence  witl^a  deputation  of  the  Six  Nations,  referred  to  in  the 
postscript  of  Colonel  Gordon's  letter,  took  place  in  Philadelphm. 
It  was  begun  on  the  13th  of  March,  and  protracted  until  near 
the  close  of  April.  Fifty  sachems  were  present,  and  the  visit 
resulted  to  the  mutual  satisfaction  of  the  parties.  In  addition 
to  arrangements  upon  other  subjects,  the  delegations  agreed  to 
perform!  pacific  mission  to  the  hostile  Indians,  and  endeavor 
to  persuade  them  to  peace.  But  such  were  their  dilatory  move- 
ments, that  they  did  not  depart  from  Buffalo  for  the  Miamis  un- 
til the'  middle  of  September.  At  the  head  of  this  embassage  was 
that  fast  friend  of  the  United  States,  the  Corn-planter. 

In  regard  to  the  mission  of  Captain  Brant,  in  addition  to 
the  dissuasions  of  Colonel  Gordon,  strenuous  efforts  were  made 
by  the  official  friends  of  the  chief  at  Montreal,  to  prevent  his 
visit  to  the  federal  capital.  On  the  1st  of  May  he  was  addrcssofl 
by  Mr.  Joseph  Chew,  an  officer  under  Sir  John  Johnson,  ex- 
pressing much  satisfaction  at  the  refusal  of  the  first  invnation 
by  Captoin  Brant,  and  advising  the  chief  of  the  preparations  the 
Americans  we-e  making  for  another  Indian  campaign.  The 
following  passage  occurs  in  this  letter :— "  I  see  they  expect  to 
"  have  an  army  of  about  five  thousand  men,  besides  three  troops 
«  of  horse.  By  the  advertisements  for  supplies  of  provisions, 
« (fee,  it  seems  this  army  will  not  be  able  to  move  before  the 
"  last  of  July.     What  attempts  Wilkinson  and  Hamlramck  may 


1792.] 


Hig    VISIT   TO   PHILADELPHIA. 


327 


«  make  with  the  militia,  is  uncertain.  Our  friends  ought  to 
"■  be  on  their  guard.  I  long  to  know  what  they  think  in  Eng- 
"  laud  of  the  victory  gained  over  St.  Clair's  army."*  On  the 
23d  of  May,  Brant  advised  Mr.  Chew  that  he  had  accepted  the 
invitation  ;t  and  on  the  19th  cf  June,  the  latter  gentleman  re- 
plied— expressing  his  regrets  that  several  of  his  letters  to  the 
Chief  had  not  heen  received  prior  to  his  taking  that  resolution. 
Mr.  Chew,  who  doubtless  expressed  tlie  views  of  Sir  .John  John- 
son and  the  Executive  government  of  the  province,  thought  tlie 
Captain  should  not  have  accepted  such  an  invitation  without 
previously  knowing  the  wishes  of  tlie  King,  in  regard  to  the 
means  of  bringing  about  a  peace  between  tlie  Americans  and 
the  Indians.  In  the  same  letter  he  also  annoiuicos  to  "his 
namesake,"  as  he  calls  the  C^aptain,  that  a  Mr.  Hammond  was 
on  his  way  to  the  Indian  country,  charged  with  an  offer  of  his 
Majesty's  mediation.! 

The  necessary  arrangements  having  been  adjusted,  the  jour- 
ney was  commenced  early  in  June.  General  Chapin  not  being 
able  to  accompany  the  Chief  to  the  seat  of  government,  he  was 
attended  by  the  General's  son,  and  by  Doctor  Allen,  and  two 
body  servants  of  his  own — all  mounted.  Their  route  from 
Niagara  to  Albany  was  taken  through  the  Mohawk  Valley.  At 
Palatine,  by  previous  invitation,  the  Captain  visited  Major  James 
Cochran,  who  had  then  recently  established  himself  in  that 
place.  But  the  feelings  of  the  inhabitants  had  become  so  em- 
bittered against  him  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  such 
threats  were  uttered  by  some  of  the  Germans,  of  u  determina- 
tion to  take  his  life,  that  it  was  deemed  prudent  for  him  privately 
to  leave  the  inn,  where  his  friend  Major  Cochran  was  then  at 
lodgings,  atid  sleep  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Peter  Schuyler  in  the 
neighborhood,  where  he  would  be  less  likely  to  be  assailed.  He 
did  so,  and  the  next  morning  pursued  his  journey.§  With  this 
exception,  he  was  well  received  at  every  point  of  nis  journey. 
His  arrival  in  New- York  was  thus  announced  in  the  newspa- 
pers :— "  On  Monday  last  arrived  m  this  city,  trom  his  siittle- 
"meut  on  Grand  River,  on  a  visit  to  some  of  his  friends  in  this 
"  quarter,  Captain  Joseph  Brant  of  the  British  army,  the  famous 
"Mohawk  chief  who  so  eminently  distinguished  himself  during 

♦  Original  letters  among  the  Brant  papers.  t  Idem.  J  KUem. 

k  Letter  of  Majur  Cuchran  to  the  author. 


W 


I 

'¥   * 
1'" 


:^ 


ia 


k   •> 


V, 


4 


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i 


If*"- 

(•••4  <k 


J28 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


1170:^. 


"  the  late  war  as  the  miUlary  leader  of  the  Six  Nations.  We 
"are  informed  that  he  intends  to  visit  the  city  of  Piul;idel[)hia, 
'•  and  {Kiy  his  respects  to  the  President  of  the  United  States." 

He  arrived  in  Philadelpliia  on  the  20th  of  June,  where  he  was 
annor.nced  in  terms  very  similar  to  the  above,  and  receJAred  hy 
the  Government  with  marked  attentic  .  But  few  memorials  oi 
this  visit  have  been  preserved.  The  President  announced  his 
arrival  in  respectful  terms,  on  the  21st  of  June,  in  a  letter  address- 
ed to  Gouverncur  Morris ;  and  he  speaks  of  the  circumstance 
again  in  a  subsequent  letter,  but  makes  no  allusion  to  the  result 
of  his  interviews  with  him.  No  doubt,  strong  efforts  were  made, 
not  only  to  cngao-e  his  active  interposition  with  the  Indians  to 
bring  about  a  peace,  but  likewise  to  win  him  over  permanently 
to  the  interests  of  the  United  States.  In  a  letter  subsequently 
addressed  by  Captain  Brant  to  the  Countde  Puisy,*  in  regard  to  his 
diliiculties  with  the  British  ,':overntnent  touching  the  title  to  the 
Grand  River  territory,  while  pleading  the  claims  of  his  Indians 
to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  Crown,  and  repelling  cer- 
tain charges  of  selfishness  which  had  been  bruited  respecting 
himself,  the  following  passage  occurs  on  the  subject  of  the  pro- 
posals made  to  him  by  the  American  Executive  ; — "  I  am  sorry 
"tc/find  that  my' perseverance  in  endeavoring  to  obtain  our 
"  rights,  has  caused  unjust  surmises  to  be  formed  of  my  inten- 
"  ti(jns,  notwithstanding  the  many  evident  prools  I  have  shown 
"  of  my  integrity  and  steady  attachment  to  the  British  interest. 
"  Had  I  not  been  actuated  by  motives  of  honor,  and  preferred 
"  the  interests  of  his  Majesty,  and  the  credit  of  my  nation,  to  my 
<'  own  private  welfare,  there  were  several  allurements  of  gain 
"  offered  me  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States  when  I 
«  was  at  Philadelphia,  during  the  time  the  Shawanese  and  other 
«  tribes  maintained  a  war  against  them.  I  was  offered  a  thovi- 
"  sand  guineas  down,  and  to  have  the  half-pay  and  pension  I 
"  receive  from  Great  Britain  doubled,  merely  on  condition  that  I 

*  The  Count  de  Puisy  was  one  of  the  French  nobles  driven  into  exile  by  the  rc- 
vc!ulion  of  17S9.  He  subsequently  held  a  commission  as  Lieutenant  General  in 
the  British  service,  and  commanded  a  detachment  of  the  emigrants  in  the  Clniberon 
expedition.  Receiving  a  grant  of  land  in  Canada  from  the  British  crown,  as  did  se- 
veral of  the  exiles,  the  Count  came  over,  and  resided  for  a  lime  near  Niagara.  Dur- 
ing this  period  he  formed  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  Captain  Brant,  who  corre- 
eponded  with  him  after  his  return  to  England.  The  Count  resided  somewhere  in  the 
neighborhood  of  London  until  his  death,  which  happened  many  years  afterward. 


•••v,  ,:, 


>l    M 


■:M 


1792.] 


ARRANGEMENTS    IN    PIIILAUKM'ItlA. 


329 


''  would  use  my  endeavors  to  bring  about  a  peace.     But  tliis  1 
'rejected.     I  considered  it  might  bo  detrimental  to  the  British 

interests,  as  also  to  the  advantage  and  credit  of  t!io  Indian  na- 
"tions,  until  the  Americans  should  make  the  necessary  conces 
"  sions.  Afterward  I  was  oJered  the  pre-emption  right  to  land 
''  to  the  amount  of  twenty  thousand  pounds  currency  of  the 
"United  States,  and  fifteen  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  Tiii.s 
•'  I  considered  as  inconsistent  with  the  principles  of  honor  to  re- 
"  ceive,  as  by  accepting  of  any  of  these  offers,  they  might 
"expect  me  to  act  contrary  to  his  Majesty's  interest  and  °he 
•'  honor  of  our  nations ;  and  from  the  repeated  assurances  of 
•'•  his  Majesty's  representatives,  I  had  full  confidence  his  bounty 
''would  never  fail." 

But  notwithstanding  his  refusal  of  these  propositions,  the  result 
of  the  interview  seems  at  the  time  to  have  been  mutual  satis- 
faction. The  true  causes  of  the  war  with  the  western  Indians 
were  explained  to  him ;  and  great  pains  were  taken  by  the  Pre- 
sident and  Secretary  of  War  to  impress  upon  his  mind  the  sin- 
cere desire  of  the  United  States  to  cultivate  the  most  amicable 
relations  with  the  sons  oi'  the  forest,  of  any  and  every  tribe.  la 
the  end,  the  Chief  was  induced  to  undertake  a  mission  of  peace 
to  the  Miamis,  for  which  purpose  he  was  furnished  with  ample 
instructions  by  the  Secretary  of  War.  Most  emphatically  was 
he  enjoined  to  undeceive  the  Indians  in  regard  to  their  appre- 
hensions that  the  United  States  were  see'nng  to  wrest  from 
them  farther  portions  of  their  lands.  On  this  point  the  Govern- 
ment solemnly  disclaimed  the  design  of  taking  a  foot  more  than 
had  been  ceded  in  the  treaty  of  Muskingum  in  1789.  The  Chief 
left  Philadelphia  about  the  1st  of  July,  on  which  occasion  the 
Secretary  of  War  wrote  to  General  Chapin,  among  other  things, 
as  follows  :— «  Captain  Brant's  visit  will,  I  flatter  myself,  be  pro- 
"  ductive  of  great  satisfaction  to  himself,  by  being  made  acquaint- 
"ed  with  the  humane  views  of  the  President  of  the  United 
"States."  To  Governor  Clinton  the  Secretary  likewise  wrote 
as  follows :— «  Captain  Brant  appears  to  be  a  judicious  and  sensi- 
"ble  man.  I  flatter  myself  his  journey  will  be  satisfactory  to 
''  himself  and  beneficial  to  the  United  States." 

The  Chief  returned  by  the  same  route,  lingering  a  few  days 
in  New- York,  where  he  was  visited  by  some  of  the  most  distin- 
guished gcutleuicii  in  the  city.     It  has  been  mentioned,  a  few 

vor,.  II.  aa 


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[17P2. 


pncfos  linolc,  that  r>nmt  wns  apprehfiisivc  of  some  ntteqipt  upon 
his  hie  in  the  Moliawlc  Valley,  liidctd,  he  liad  been  iiiloniud 
that  it  would  he  unsafe  for  liini  to  traverse  tliat  section  of  coiiu- 
try,  lest  some  real  or  fancied  vvrntitr,  cotuiccted  with  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  should  be  avenged  by  assassination.  Nor  m-cio 
these  apprehensions  groundless  ;  for  wliile  resting  in  New- York, 
he  ascertained  that  he  had  not  only  beci!  pursued  from  the  (Un- 
man I'Matts,  but  that  the  pursuer  was  then  in  the  city  watcliiiic; 
for  nil  opportunity  to  elfect  his  piirpose.  The  name  of  this  pur- 
suer wfis  Dygert,  Several  members  of  his  father's  family  had 
fallen  in  the  buttle  of  ( )rislcany%  lifteen  years  before,  and  this  man 
had  delibenilcly  determined  to  put  the  leader  of  the  Indian  war- 
riors to  death  in  revenge.  IJrant's  lodgings  were  in  Broadway,* 
wliere  he  was  visited,  among  others,  by  Colonel  Willctt  and 
(,'olonel  Morgan  Lewis,  both  of  whom  he  had  met  in  the  held  of 
battle  in  years  gone  by.  While  in  conversation  with  these  gen- 
tleriic,  he  mentioned  the  oircumstance  of  Dygert's  pursuit,  and 
expressed  some  apprehensions  at  the  result,  should  he  be  attack 
ed  imawares.  lii^tbre  his  remarks  were  concluded,  glancing  his 
quick  eye  to  the  window,  he  exclaimed,  "  there  is  Dygert  now  !" 
True  enough,  the  fellow  was  then  standing  in  the  street,  watch 
ins:  the  motions  of  his  intended  victim.  Colonel  Willett  ininie- 
diately  descended  into  the  street,  and  entered  into  a  conversation 
with  Dygert,  charging  his  real  business  upon  him,  which  lie 
did  not  deny.  "  Do  you  know,"  asked  Willett,  "  that  if  you  kill 
that  savage,  you  will  be  hanged  ?"  "  Who,"  replied  the  ignorant 
German,  "  would  hang  me  for  killing  an  Indian  ?"  "  You  will 
see,"  rejoined  the  Colonel ;  "  if  you  execute  your  purpose,  you 
"  may  depend  upon  it  you  will  be  hanged  up  immediately." 
This  was  presenting  the  case  in  a  new  aspect  to  Dygert,  who, 
until  that  moment,  seemed  to  suppose  that  he  could  kill  an  In- 
dian with  as  much  propriety  in  a'  time  of  peace  as  in  war — in 
the  streets  of  New- York  as  well  as  in  legal  battle  in  the  woods. 
After  deliberating  a  few  moments,  he  replied  to  Colonel  Willett 
that  if  such  was  the  law,  he  would  give  it  up  and  return  home.1 

•  The  old  wooden  building  where  the  City  Hotel  now  stands. 

t  These  particulars  have  recently  been  communicated  to  the  author  in  a  conversa- 
tioii  with  the  venerable  Govcrridr,  then  Colonel  Lewis,  and  confirmed  by  a  Kiterfrom 
Major  Cochran,  with  whom  Brant  conversed  on  the  subject.  Indeed  the  hostility  ol 
the  Mohawk-Germana  toward  all  Indian?,  after  the  cIosl  of  th"  war.  was  deep  and 


I   '. 


^''■''^•J  MKSSENGERS   OF    PKACK.  33i 

Ho  (lid  SO.  and  tlic  Mohawk  chief  shortly  aftorward  reached  Xiu- 
gara  in  salety. 

Independently  of  the  proposed  mediation  of  Captain  Brant 
tlu,  fiovernment  of  the  U.iited  States,  in   its  great  sohcitndc  to 
present  the  efrus.on  of  blood,  had  en.ploy„d  a  Uu-^e  nmnher  ot 
nio.sscno;ers  of  peace,  anion<r  whom,  in  adchtio.ao  theiiitvchiels 
ol  the  Six  Nations  already  mentioned,  vren*  tliellev  Mr  'ji.t|<,. 
wel.lcn  General  lluCns  Pntiiam,  Colonel  Hardin,  Major  'I'rne- 
"Win  and  a  man  named  Freeman.     The  cejehrafd  jrendrick 
chief  of  the  Sloekhridg,,  Indians,  was  also  ,>mploy,.d  upon  the 
sa.iieserv.ee.     It  is  possible  that  Cal.tain  Brant  was  not  well 
pleased  at  the  a,,pointment  of  so  large  a  nnmber  ot  paeitira- 
to..s-very  natnrally  preferrin,:.  tho  honor   of  being  ,he  sole 
af,n>nt  of^  terminating  the  war.  It  wonld  have  been  no  inconside- 
rable snbjeet  of  boasting,  to  be  enabled  to  say  "  Alone  1  did  it  •" 
Hence,  we  may  reasonably  infer,  the  tone  of  the  annexed  letter 
addressed  to  the  Secretary  of  War  by  Captain  Brant  on  his 
anwal  at  Niagara-a  fitting  occasion  for  writin-  it  Imvin.r  been 
furnished  by  tlie  innrde-r  of  Major  Trueman.* 

an,l  thought  it  no  har.n  to  kill  an  Indiaa  at  any  tat     H-lZu     '  ''T        "!'"' 

ofHartmannrortheco.nmissionofthc-doed  was  ZtZTur  T  """="'" 
co.poueh.which  was.  as  t,e  said,  ,„a.  of  tt  sk  m'  a  chi,  "V'^  '"^-"'^tobac 
bal.ly,  a  leath,.r  glov.,  which  th;  Indian  had  fo^fnd  '  '*'"'•     ''  ""'  •"" 

•  Thrniiol  the  messengers  of  peace  above  mentioned  Mes-,r,  T^,., 
-n,  and  Hardin,  ..ere  murdered  hy  the  Indians  dur.n.  that  sea"        p'  T" 
natmns  on  earth  w  ,0  wont  to  respect  the  sacred  charaW-r  nf  Tl  ''^  "° 

more  than  the  Indians     But  thev  haH  nl  k        '=^''""='"  ''^     '•>«  man  of  peace" 


«    m 
■    M 


k    ■' 


■I       ,  ■     * 


,*"». 


*  ♦  n  a  « 


' 


i 


1 

.         ^         ■■■^ 

; 

i       c':^*--; 

'IM 

H""-.*.., 
i»'*'""". 

Mi                        1 

.    : 

332 


LIFK   OF    BRANT. 


[1792. 


Captain  Brant  to  the  Secretakv  of  War. 

«  Niagara,  2G//t  Juli/,  1792. 
«  Sir, 

"  Since  my  arrival  hero,  I  am  sorry  to  have  to  say  that  intol- 
ligonco  respecting  Major  Trueman's  being  killed  by  an  Itidiiin 
boy,  who  met  with  him  a  hunting,  has  arrived.  This  will  in- 
duce you  to  recollect  what  passed  between  us  relative  to  mes- 
sages beiuii  sent.  The  route  by  Presque  Isle  1 1  ain  recom- 
mend as  the  most  eligible  ;  from  thence  keeping  along  the  lake 
to  the  Miamis,  -it  which  place  the  chiefs  are  aptest  to  be  mot 
with  ;  and  when  once  there,  they  are  safe.  Sending  such  num 
ber  of  messengers  rather  makes  the  Indians  suspicious  of  your  in 
tentions,  and  by  any  otlier  route  they  are  much  more  liable  to 
meet  with  hunters.  There  are  now  great  numbers  of  Indians 
collected,  and,  from  all  their  councils,  seem  determined  upon  a 
new  boundary  line.  In  short,  they  are  all  sensible  that  what 
has  hitherto  been  dorie,  (which  I  fully  explained  to  you,}  was 
unfair  ;  and  I  am  of  opinion  peace  will  not  easily  be  established 
without  your  relinquishing  part  of  your  claim.  The  purchases 
were  all  made  from  men  who  had  no  right  to  sell,  and  who  aru 
now  to  be  thanked  for  the  present  difficulties.* 

"The  Senecas  and  Seven  Nations  of  Canada  arc  nc  ,v  wait- 
ing at  Fort  Erie  for  a  passage  for  Detroit,  on  their  way  to  I'-c 
Miamis.  I  shall  be  able  to  go  up  by  the  next  trip  of  the  vessel. 
My  intention  and  wish  is  still  for  the  accomplishing  of  peace. 
'Tis  a  business  will  require  time  ;  things  too  rashly  or  hastily 
agreed  upon,  seldomhave  the  effect  of  those  seriously  and  coolly 
reflected  on  ;  knowing  the  foundation  to  be  just,  and  the  bene- 
fits that  will  arise  therefrom,  affords  a  greater  space  for  forward- 
ing the  business. 

said  the  President,  "  I  shall  entertain  strong  suspicions  that  there  is  a  very  clear  un- 
derstanding in  all  this  business  between  the  Courts  of  London  and  Madrid  ;  and 
that  it  is  calculated  to  check,  as  far  as  they  can,  the  rapid  increase,  extension,  and 
consequence  of  this  country  ;  for  there  cannot  be  a  doubt  of  the  wishes  of  the  for- 
mer,  if  wo  may  judge  from  the  conduct  of  its  officers,  to  preclude  any  idaircissement 
of  ours  with  the  Western  Indians,  and  to  embarrass  our  negotiations  with  them,  any 
more  than  there  is  of  their  traders  and  some  others,  who  are  subject  to  their  govern- 
ment, aiding  and  abetting  them  in  acts  of  hostility."— Le/<er  of  Washington  to  Jeffn- 
son,  ^/litgust  23 J,  1792. 

•  The  writer  here  refers  to  the  treaty  of  Fort  Harmer,  which  the  great  njajority  of 
the  Indians  ahvays  maintained  was  unauthorized  by  their  people,  and  therefore  of  no 
blading  force  upon  them. 


•  •• 


1792-1 


TFMPEB.   OP   TIIR    INDIANS. 


333 


t<- , Jit  n  r;uu  ;^r :?  "^  '""^  '^  ^'-^  ^^^^""-'-^  <>f 

a"drc,no;tyouu,  Jlln^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^  — -  thank, 

be  in  my  povver  to  uKtl.,  I  sha    t    nl    ?  ■  ,        J  T""  '''"^"^ 

'"'',""    'V^'--l'  particularly Imppy. 

"  Yours,  ,''ic. 
"  7%e  Sccretanj  of  War  "  *^'^^"  ^'^^^'T. 

conccr„i„.r  l,i„,  ,,„j  dis   , k,^      •    r°     ■  '''™  '*™  <^i™l««-''l 

fnc„d  M-Kec,  at  D.,roi,,  m.ki,;  i,';  [ier^tX  "7"  ""^ '"' 
nlher  poiiils.  and  also  will,  „  „C,     '  ""  '""'  '""1  various 

pn«c„co  vvould  be  accll;    r^,!  ,r''"''™"'  "'"""'■■  '"» 

«  wl,a.evor  l,ad  birds  h.d  Ufly^i  1'^  !.  T^ . »""  '"a", 
wes.n,  Indians  rospee.in,  ium  l^'e  t    4^      IjT ,"  *° 

...e.,„enea„.sfe^^^^^^^^^ 

-.'.  « vie.  ,o gain  ,imo,  and  ,„,,  ,„e° confix  no  TS 
'■taisccunly.tlianto  effect  a  peace  since  fho„  I,. 
;:..oe.l.e.  tern.  „,a„  w„at  tlfe     ails  re  ^L  arf^rl 

y".n„nstbe  ..rfecUy  sensible,',  (added  cl  elWK       ,h« 

'it..U  ot  blood  has  been  spi  t,  the  Indians  will  nn^  r.   ■  ,,  '='\'''^^ 

co'.n  ry,  as  nidicatuig  much  sincerity  on  th^ir  n^- ■  L? 7 
"they  [the  Indians]  thutk  that  such  establish.;;^  w^^irt^^d 


;> 


:  M 

?. 


ff 


■:l 

i  ■ 

'it             ■_l 

iM 

" 

•i 

J 

j 

1    * 

'  '** 

m 


h 


i'U 


I**?  if' 
if"""'* 


■  1  '  ■    , 


.if*' 


|1  ••■     ■ 


334 


MFE    OF    BRANT. 


[l?ja 


"  to  conciliate  or  convince  tlicm  tliat  the  Americans  wish  fur 
"peace  on  any  reasonable  terms,  or  on  the  terms  propoK(;(l  by 
"the  confederacy  the  bei,nnnm2:  of  last  year.  A  irreat  coniicil 
"  is  soon  to  be  held  at  the  Au  Glaize— the  chiefs  not  .iu(lgiii;j;  it 
«  proper  to  move  lower  down  at  present,  on  acconnt  of  the  Aiiic- 
"rican  force  collectin<T  at  Fort  Jeflerson."  In  resrard  to  tht- 
treaty  of  IMnsicingnm,  (Fort  llannar,)  (.'olonel  IM'Kee  said— 
"  Duintale,  theChiuf  who  condncted  that  business,  is  dead  ;  but 
"  ho  always  declared  that  he,  and  all  the  chiefs  who  were  wilh 
"  him  there,  were  imposed  npon — imaginiiig  that  what  they 
"  signed  was  a  treaty  of  amity,  and  not  a  cession  of  comitry  ;  and 
"  were  not  undeceived  until  they  had  beini  some  time  returiitMl 
"  to  their  respective  villages,  and  had  their  papers  explained  to 
"them.  Some  messengers  are  arrived  at  the  Glaize  from  the 
"westward  of  the  Mississippi,  announcing  that  large  bodies  o{ 
"their  nations  are  collected,  and  will  shortly  be  here  to  give 
"then-  assistance  to  the  general  confederacy;  so  that,  in  all  pro- 
"bability,  more  nations  will  soon  be  assembled  here  than  at  any 
"former  period."* 

The  letter  from  which  the  preceding  extracts  have  been  made, 
was  dated  frcin  the  "  Foot  of  the  Miami  Rapids,  September  -Itli, 
1792."  The  council  of  which  it  speaks,  was  held  at  the  Au 
Glaize,  on  the  Miami  of  I,ake  Erie,  in  the  course  of  the  Autumn. 
A  fit  of  sickness,  however,  prevented  the  attendance  of  Thayfii- 
danegea.  The  Corn-planter,  ..nd  forty-eight  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
Six  Nations,  residing  within  the  boundaries  of  the  United 
States,  repaired  thither,  together  with  about  thirty  chiefs  and 
warriors  of  the  Mohawks,  and  other  Canada  Indians.  But  they 
were  not  well  received,  in  their  character  of  peace-makers,  by 
the  hostiles,  /ho  wore  sturdily  bent  npon  continuing  the  w  ,ir. 
The  council  was  nnmeiously  attended  on  the  part  of  the 
western  tribes  ;  the  Shawanesc  were  the  only  spealcers  in  favor 
of  war,  ana  Red  Jacket  from  the  Senecas  was  alone  the  orator 
in  opposition,  or  in  behalf  of  the  friendly  Indians.  The  Shawa- 
nese  taunted  the  I  Nations  witli  havhig;  first  induced  them  to 
form  a  great  confederac}  .  a  few  years  before,  and  of  having  come 
to  the  council  now  "  with  the  voice  of  the  United  States  fcided 
"  under  their  arm."t    There  wore  indications  of  an  angry  pas< 

♦  Correspondcnrp  aiiioivj;  tlic  ]'>...d  papdrH. 


t   Alluding  to  the  belt  hy  whicli  they  were  to  ppt 


ak. 


«•« 


1702.] 


COUNCILS    AT    THE    AU    GLAIZE. 


335 


s.^.e  be  weo,n  the  two  parties  in  the  earlier  .stages  of  the  conn- 
C.1 ;  but  after  mut.al  explanations,  hannony  was  restored.     Tho 
result  w.-.:,that  the  hostile  Indians  iinally  agreed  to  suspen " 
belhgerent  operation.s  for  the  winter,  and  to  nreot  tl,e  United 
b  a  es  m  connc.l  at  the  Rapids  of  the  Mianu  in  the  foliowin' 
Spring.     ^Ihe  basis  of.the  proposed  armistice,  however  was  tl  i7 
the  Uni^d  States  sl^nld  withdraw  their  troo  s  fr:;:':hJ^;^  ^ 
side  of  the  Olrio.     Nor  d.d  they  hold  out  any  prospeet  of  treating 
m  the  Spring,  npon  any  other  prineiple  than  that  of  makin.  th! 
Ohio  the  boundary,  and  receiving  payment  for  their  nnpi^vo! 
nients  on  the  sonth-eastern  side  of  that  river.     They  insisted 
that  the  l;n.tedSt.aes  should  allow  them  all  the  lands  the^^of 
sossed  in  Sir  WUluun  Johnson's  time,  and  tnat  npon  no  otlior 
terms  would  they  agree  to  a  treaty  of  peace.     The  council  Jl 
issolved  about  the  10th  or  12th  of  October  ;  and  Capt  in  B  I 
did  not  arrive  at  the  An  Glaize  until  after  it  had  brol^n     ' 
was  a  very  large  council.     There  were  representatives  in  a  - 
tciidauce    rom  the  Gora  nations,  whom  it  had  taken  a  whole 
Reason  to  travel  thither.     There  were  also  present,  besides  the 
Six  Nations  mrd  the  north-western  tribes,  twenty-seven  nations 
from  beyond  the  Canadian  territory.  '^vcn  nations 

On  the  return  of  the  friendly  Indians  to  Buffalo,  a  o-rand 
council  was  called,  at  which  the  Indian  agents  of  the  Five  Na- 
tions were  present,  and  also  Colonel  Butler,  and  a  number  ol 
other  gentlemen  from  Niagara.  At  this  comicil,  the  proceed 
uigs  and  speeches  at  the  Au  Glaize  were  rehearsed,  and'in  con- 
clusion 0  their  nnssion,  the  Six  Nations  transmitted  the  foUovv 
mg  speech  to  the  President  of  the  United  States;  fron  \vd  Mt 
-11  appear  that,  though  friendly  to  them,  the  Six  Nations     fte 

Speech  from  the  Six  Nations  to  the  President 

^^:Z^  "^'^  ^^^^^^^^'  '^''  ^  messa^eof  peace  to 

"  We  proceeded  accordingly  to  your  directions,  and  was  pro- 
tected, going  and  coming,  by  the  Great  Spirit  ^ 

s^sz':::^ " ''-  ^'-^^  '^''^  '-^  - '-- «"  -um. 

"While  we  w^ts  at  the  westward,  we  exerted  ourselves  to 


:> 


.-ft 


i 

/. 

1 

»' 

t 

i 

* . 

f.: 

iu.  ^'I 

1 

)ii^i     '; 


til 


'I 

4 

1^ 

ivt     I. 

1 

«!•--■ 

**> 

•  M. 

* 

33G 


LlfE    OF   BRANT. 


[1792. 


bring  about  peace.  The  fatigues  wo  underwent  are  not  smah. 
Now,  it  is  our  desire  for  your  people  on  the  Ohio  to  hiy  down 
their  arms,  or  otherwise  it  is  all  in  vain  what  we  have  done. 

«  Now,  if  you  wi?h  for  peace,  you  must  make  every  exertion, 
and  proceed  through  this  path  we  have  directed  for  you.  It 
peace  does  not  take  place,  the  foult  must  arise  from  your  people. 
"We  now  desire  you,  Brothers,  to  send  forward  agents,  wlio 
are  men  of  honesty,  not  proud  land-jobbers,  but  men  who  love 
and  desire  peace.  A\<n,  we  desire  they  may  be  accompanied  by 
some  friend,  or  Quaker,  to  attend  the  council. 

"  Wish  you  to  exert  yourself  to  forward  the  message  to  the 
western  Indians  as  soon  as  possible  ;  and  we  are  taken  by  tiie 
hand,  and  have  agreed,  next  Spring,  to  attend  the  council  at  the 
Rapids  of  Miami,  when  wc  shall  hear  all  that  takes  place  there." 
Notwithstanding  the  stipulations  of  the  Shawanese  and  IMia- 
mis  to  call  in  their  warriors,  and  commit  no  farther  hostilities 
until  the  grand  council  should  be  lield  in  the  following  Spring, 
the  armisSce  was  not  very  rigidly  olxserved,  and  skirmishes  were 
frequent  along  the  border.  On  the  Gth  of  November,  Major 
Adair,  commanding  a  detachment  of  Kentucky  volunteers,  was 
attacked  by  a  large  body  of  Indians  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort 
St.  Clair.  The  battle  was  sharp  and  severe,  and  the  Indians 
were  rather  checked  than  defeated.  General  Wilkinson,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  fort,  could  render  no  assistance,  from 
the  strictness  of  his  orders  to  act  only  on  the  defensive.  He  be 
stowed  high  pr.use  on  the  good  conduct  of  Major  Adair,  as  the 
latter  did  upon  his  officers  and  men. 

It  was  at  about  tliis  period  that  a  change  was  made  in  the  Ca- 
nadian government,  which,  from  the  character  and  dispositions 
of  the  new  officers  introduced  upon  the  stage  of  action,  may  not 
have  been  without  its  influence  in  the  progress  of  Indian  jif- 
fairs.  During  the  visit  of  Lord  Dorchester  to  England  of  ITOl 
»93  what  had  previously  been  the  entire  province  of  Canada 
was  divided,  and  an  upper  province  with  a  lieutenantcy  created. 
Colonel  J.  G.  Simcoe  was  the  first  Lieutenant  Governor  assign- 
ed to  the  newly  organized  territory— an  able  and  active  officer. 
who,  in  the  progress  of  events,  though  very  friendly  at  first  to  the 
United  States,  was  not  long  disposed  to  manifest  any  particular 
good-will  for  them,  farther  than  courtesy  to  public  officers  and 
the  discharge  of  indispensable  duties  required.    He  anivcd  at 


«> 


<  « 


1792.J 


AIIUIVAL    OF   COVERNOIi   SliVICOE. 


337 


Quebec  in  the  Spring  of  1792,  but  was  detained  in  the  lower 
f.rovincti  several  months,  while  waiting  for  other  officers  irorp 
England,  whose  presence  and  assistance  were  necessary  to  tiie 
oi-iraiiization  of  the  new  government.  Colonel  Simcoe  esta- 
blished his  head-quarters  at  Niagara,  which  was  temporarily 
constituted  the  seat  of  government.  He  was  the  bearer  of  a 
letter  of  introduction  from  the  Duke  of  Northumberland  to  the 
Mohawk  Chief,  Thayendanegea.  The  Duke,  who  had  served 
in  the  Revolutionary  war  as  Lord  Percy,  had  been  adopted  by 
tlie  Mohawks  as  a  warrior  of  dieir  nation,  under  the  Indian 
name,  conferred  by  Bxant  himself,  of  Thorighweg^ri,  or  The 
Evergreen  Brake.  The  name  involves  the  very  pretty  conceit 
that  a  titled  house  never  dies.  Like  the  leaves  of  this  peculiar 
species  of  the  brake,  the  old  leaf  only  falls  as  it  is  pushed  from 
the  stem  by  the  new ;  or  rather,  when  the  old  leaf  fells,  the 
young  is  in  fresh  and  full  existence.  The  following  is  the  let- 
ter, which  the  character  of  the  parties  and  the  circumstances  oi 
the  case  render  Avorthy  of  preservation  : — 

The  Duke  of  Northumberland  to  Captain  Brant 

"  Northumberland  House,  SepL  3d,  1791 
'•  Mv  Dear  Joseph, 

"  Colonel  Simcoe,  who  is  going  out  Governor  of  Upper  Ca 
nada,  is  kind  enough  to  promise  to  deliver  this  to  you,  with  a 
brace  of  pistols,  which  I  desire  you  will  keep  for  my  sake.  I 
must  particularly  recommud  the  Colonel  to  you  and  the  nation. 
He  is  a  most  intimate  friend  of  mine,  and  is  possessed  of  every 
good  quality  which  can  recommend  him  to  your  friendship.  He 
is  brave,  humane,  sensible,  and  honest.  Yon  may  saiely  rely 
upon  whatever  he  says,  for  he  will  not  deceive  you.  He  loves 
and  honors  the  Indians,  whose  noble  sentiments  so  perfectly 
correspond  with  his  own.  He  wishes  to  live  upon  the  best 
term.^  with  them,  and,  as  Governor,  will  have  it  in  his  power  to 
be  of  much  service  to  them.  In  short,  he  is  wonny  to  be  a  Mo- 
hcuvlc.  Love  him  at  first  for  my  sake,  and  you  will  soon  come 
to  love  him  for  his  own. 

"  I  was  very  glad  to  hear  that  you  had  received  the  rifle  safe 
W'hioh  I  sent  you,  and  hope  it  has  proved  useful  to  you.  I  pre- 
serve with  great  care  your  picture,  which  is  hung  up  in  the- 
Diiciiess's  own  room. 


.1 

:  in 


■ » 


4U 


338 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


[1793. 


"  Continue  to  me  your  friendship  and  esteem,  and  believe  m3 
ever  to  be,  ,vith  the  greatest  truth, 

'  Your  affectionate 

''  Friend  and  Brother, 

"  NOKTHUMBEHLAND, 

"  TJioriglnveg^tri. 
"Captain  Joseph  Brant, 

"  ThayendanegeaP 


M, 


Thus  strongly  and  atPectionately  introduced,  by  the  head  ot 
the  British  peerage  to  the  head  chief  of  a  nation,  a  close  intimu 
cy  was  lormed  between  Governor  Simcoe  and  Captain  Brant,  as 
will  more  clearly  be  disclosed  in  the  progress  of  these  pages. 
The  regular  chain  of  history  will  now  be  resumed. 

On  the  19th  of  February,  1793,  pursuant  to  the  arrangement 
made  by  the  Indians  at  the  Au  Glaize  in  the  preceding  Autumn, 
General  Benjamin  Lincoln,  Beverley  Randolph,  and  Colonel 
Timothy  Pickering,  were  commissioned  by  the  President,  to 
attend  the  great  council  at  the  Miamis,  to  be  held  in  the  course 
of  the  ensuing  Spring. 

Meantime  the  Indians  of  the  confederate  nations,  dissatisfuxl 
with  what  they  considered  the  evasive  reply  which  had  been 
received  from  the  President  to  the  address  on  their  behalf,  trans 
mitted  by  the  Six  Nations,  held  another  council  at  the  Glaize  in 
February,  at  which  a  very  explicit  address  upon  the  suljject  was 
framed,  and  transmitted  to  the  Six  Nations.  They  were  apprc 
hensive  that  the  Six  Nations  had  eitlier  not  understood  them,  oi, 
that  in  communicating  with  the  Executive  of  the  United  States 
they  had  not  made  themselves  understood.  Reminding  the  Six 
Nations  that  when  in  council  they  had  understood  them  to  be 
of  one  mind  with  themselves  touching  the  boundary  question, 
they  now  repeated  that  they  would  listen  to  no  propositions  from 
the  United  States,  save  upon  the  basis  of  the  Ohio  for  a  bound- 
ary and  the  removal  of  the  American  forts  from  the  Indian 
territory.  This  was  the  irrevocable  determination  of  the  con- 
federates, and  they  deemed  it"  right  and  proper  that  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  should  be  xully  apprised  of  the  fact 
before  the  commissioners  should  set  out  upon  their  journev. 
They  likewise  advised  the  Six  Nations,  in  <hio  address,  of  their  dr; 


w:  "■" 


'"«■*,  \i 


Hli 


(1  believe  nn 


iro:{.] 


TKMPER    OF   THE    INDIANS. 


339 


tcriiiiiiiifioii  to  hold  a  private  council  at  the  IMiami  Rapids  before 
they  would  juocecd  to  meet  the  American  commissioners  atSan- 
iliisN-y,  that  they  mis^ht  adjust  their  own  opinions,  so  as  to  be  of 
Olio  mind,  and  speak  one  language  in  the  public  council.     It 
v.'Jis  their  farther  determination,  before  they  would  consent  to 
mvX  tb(!  i'ojnmissionersatall,  to  ascertain  whether  the  Com- 
missioners had  !,cen  clothed  with  aiuhority  to  meet  them  upon  the 
terms  thuN  preliminarily  prescribed.  This  letter,  or  message,  was 
o()iiclud(!(l  thus  :— "  Brotheus  :  We  desire  you  therefore,  to  be 
" strong,  and  rise  immediately  to  meet  us  at  the  Miami  Rapids, 
"  wlii.'ro  we  want  the  advice  and  assistance  of  our  elder  brethren 
•'  in  tho  great  work  which  we  are  about.     The  western  nations 
"are  all  prepared  and  in  daily  exi)cctation  o:'  the  arrival  of  our 
"  brothers,  the  Creeks,  Cherokees,  and  other  southern  nations, 
"  who  aro  on  their  legs  to  join  us,  agreeably  to  their  promise. 
"  And  wc  desire  you  will  put  the  Seven  Nations  of  Canada  in 
«  mind  of  their  promise  last  Fall,  to  be  early  on  their  legs  to  join 
"us,  and  that  you  will  bring  them  in  j^our  band."  [Poiir  doii- 
"  hie  strings  of  black  and  rvhite  Wa7}ipum."]     A  postscript 
enjoiiKsd  that  tho  United  States  should  send  no  messengers  into 
thuir  country,  except  through  the  Five  Nations.* 

Tho  communication  was  dated  February  27th.    On  the  same 
(lay  the  Commissioners  left  Philadelphia  for  Buffalo  Creek,  ac- 
com{)aniod,  as  the  Indians  had  requested,  by  several  members  of 
the  society  of  Friends— so  strongly  had  the  nations  become  at- 
tached to  tho  disciples  of  the  beneficent  Penn.t   Colonel  Picker 
iiig  and  Mr.  Randolph  proceeded  directly  across  the  country, 
while  General  Lincoln  took  the  route  via  Alb'^ny,  to  superin 
t.'ud  the  fi)rwardmg  of  supplies.     General  Wayne,  now  in  com- 
mand of  the  North-western  army,  had  been  instructed  in  the 
meantime  to  issue  n  proc.lamation,*informing  the  people  of  the 
frontiers  of  tho  proposed  treaty,  and  prohibiting  all  offensive 

•  Oiiijiniil  (lociinirnt  from  among  the  Brant  papers. 

t  TliM  ,i„„M.M  „f  (1„!  a.inkor  genlleinen  who  went  upon  this  bt-nevolent  errand 
W'T^  .h',,,  I'arlHl,,  William  Savory,  and  John  Elliott,  of  Philadelphia,  Jacob 
_-">.M„y,  of  (;|„,>,t,T  Cotinty  ;  and  Joseph  Moore  and  AVilliam  Hartshorn,  of  P;ew- 
.'•rm.y.  It  may  hn  rmted  ns  a  singular  fact,  that  while  the  auakers  solicited  the 
np|K)intmont  on  this  pacific  n.ission  at  the  hands  of  the  President,  the  Indians,  at 
"hout  Ihe  ,A.,mo  limr,  and  evidently  without  consultation  or  arrangement,  requested 
01  mw  of  ihM  Am-,.ca:,  agents,  that  some  Quaker  might  be  appointed  on  tho 
'"mmisfion  to  treat  with  them. 


I 

51 


*> 


'J 


1        '^^^1 

^4 

^^^^^1 

■  ■  r* 

1 

,H'i^^H 

'  :i| 


'••"•its  *■>  '  '*N 

'Bt  *  '  '«Hi 


S4U 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1793. 


movements  on  the  part  of  tiiese  people  until  the  result  of  the 
council  should  be  known. 

Messrs.  Randolph  and  Pickering  arrived  at  the  Queenston 

nding,  (Niagara  river,)  on  the  17  th  of  May.  Governor  Simcoc, 
who  was  at  home,  had  no  sooner  lieard  of  their  iurivn.l  in  his 
vicinity,  than  he  sent  invitations  msisting  that  they  should  con- 
sider theurwlvfis  his  guests  during  their  stay  at  that  place.  He 
treated  tliO'u  wrUh  great  hospitality,  and  at  their  request  readily 
despatched  a  Ttisse:  io  Oswego,  to  receive  General  Lincoln  and 
the  stores  for  the.  expedition.  The  latter  gentleman  did  not 
reach  Niagara  tUiti  the  25  th. 

Om  their  arrival  at  thai  place,  the  Commissioners  were  inform- 
ed that  Captain  Brant,  with  a  body  of  Mohawks,  had  sot  off  for 
the  west  about  the  5th  of  May.  There  was  a  preliminary  coun- 
cil to  be  held  at  the  Miami  Rapids,  which  it  was  the  purpose  of 
that  Chief  to  attend.  The  United  States  had  fixed  the  1st  of 
June  for  the  time  of  meeting ;  but  Colonel  M'Kee  had  written 
to  Niagara,  stating  that  that  period  would  be  quite  too  early, 
since  the  Indians  were  ever  slow  in  such  proceedings,  and 
withal  would  not  then  probably  have  returned  from  their  hunt- 
mg.  The  Indians,  however,  were  collecting  at  the  An  Glaize, 
and  Colonel  M'Kee  advised  Governor  Simcoe  that  the  confer- 
ence with  the  American  Commissioners  would  probably  be  held 
at  Sandusky.  In  the  meantime  it  was  proposed  that  the  Com- 
missioners should  remain  at  Niagara  until  all  things  were  ready 
for  the  conference. 

Such  being  the  position  of  affairs,  the  commissioners  were  de- 
tained widi  Governor  Simcoe — occasionally  visiting  some  of 
the  Indian  towns  in  that  region — until  near  the  middle  of  July. 
Every  hospitable  attention  was  bestowed  upon  them  by  the 
Governor,  who  spared  no  pains  to  render  their  sojourn  w  iti;  him 
afrreeable.  On  the  4th  of  June,  the  Kings  birth-day  was  'Ma- 
ted, on  which  occasion  the  Governor  gave  a/tVe,  endi"  ■  viuia 
ball  in  the  evening.  'ch  was  attended  by  "  abui  ■  weu  z  well- 
"  dressed  and  hands  .  ladies,  and  about  three  t'"  -:  Ui.v'^num- 
"ber  of  gentlemen.  They  danced  from  7  o'chd..  ;ntil  11 
«whcn  supper  was  announced,  and  served  in  very  pre! ty  taste. 
"  The  music  and  daiicing  were  good,  and  every  thing  ■  .,on- 
"  ducted  with  propriety.  What  excited  the  best  feeli'i  '  the 
"heart,  was  the  ease  and  affection  with  whicli  the  ladies  met 


\7j3.] 


COMMISSIONERS    Ar    NIAGARA.. 


341 


"each  otiier,  although  tiiore  wore  a  immber  prrwut  wlioso 
«  m^ithcrs  sprung  from  the  aborigines  of  the  country.  They 
'•'  appeared  as  well  dressed  as  the  company  in  general,  and  in- 
''  tcrmixed  with  them  in  a  manner  wliich  evinced  at  once  the 
"dignity  of  their  own  minds  and  the  good  sense  of  otlieys. 
"  Those  ladies  possessed  great  ingenuity  and  industry,  and  have 
"great  merit;  for  the  education  they  have  received  is  owin^r 
"principally  to  tlieir  own  industry,  as  their  fother,  Sir  William 
"  Johnson,  was  dead,  and  the  mother  retained  the  manners  and 
"dress  of  her  tribe."* 

Thus  far  the  deportment  of  Governor  Simcoe  was  concilia- 
tory, and  in  all  respects  indicative  of  any  thing  rather  than  a  hos- 
tile spirit.     Reports  having  reached  the  ears  of  the  Commission- 
ers, that  the  Governor  had  qualified  the  expressions  of  his  de- 
sire that  the  Indians  might  determine  upon  a  peace  with 
the  United  States,  by  advising   them  that   they  should   not 
relinquish  any  of  their  lands  to  obtain  it,  those  gentlemen 
addressed  him  a  note  upon  the  subject.     The  impu'tation  was 
promptly  and  satisfactorily  disclaimed ;   and  at  the  request  nf 
the  Commissioners,  several  British  officers  were  detailed  to  ac- 
company them  to  the  council.     Colonel  Butler,  the  British  In 
dian  Superintendent  of  that  station,t  had  already  departed  with 
a  large  number  of  the  Six  Nations  residing  at  the  Buffalo  Creek, 
to  attend  with  Captain  Brant  the  prelimniary  council  at  Miami! 
Advices  from  Colonel  M'Kee,  at  Detroit,  having  communi- 
cated the  foct  that  all  was  ready  on  the  part  of  the  Indian.^,  and 
urged  them  forthwith  to  repair  to  Sandusky  and  meet  them,  the 
Commissioners  took  their  departure  from  Niagara  on  the  2Gth 
of  June.     Reports  had  been  bruited  about,  however,  that,  should 
the  council  breaic  up  without  making  peace,  it  was  the  determi- 
nation of  the  hostile  Indians  to  fall  upon  the  Commissioners  and 
sacrifice  them.     In  consequence  of  this  intimation  they  were  fur- 
nished with  a  letter  from  the  Governor,  expressed  in  the  stroncrest 
terms,  enjoining  the  officers  in  the  Indian  Department  at  the  west 
to  take  care  that  they  should  be  neither  injured  nor  insulted  by 
the  savages ;  adding,  « that  an  injury  to  them  would  greatly  af- 

♦  Private  Journal  of  General  Lincoln-Massachusotta  Fliatorical  CoIIeclions. 
This  incident  has  been  pveser^-d  in  the  text  by  the  author,  as  a  curiosity  ;  it  btin* 
the  first  gala  of  a  rnpre=cn-  li  ve  of  royalty  in  t!ie  western  woods,  * 

t  The  British  cominandet  at  \^.\.  aining. 


M 

V* 


'*  <1. 


I'' 


:if 


i*n- 


'"» 


i 

•w       ■«■-* 

'■■*»» 

-t'-  - 

» 

312 


LIKE    UP    BRANT. 


[1703. 


*'  fuct  him,  the  Commandcv-iii-chief,  the  Britisli  nation,  and  owii 
"the  King  himself."* 

The  Commissioners  were  detained  by  contrary  \vinds  at  I'ort 
[^]rie,  at  which  j)oint  tliey  were  to  embark,  until  the  i'tli  of.hily. 
Here  another  serious  interruption  to  tiieir  progress  tooic  place. 
The  extr3me  jealousy  of  the  hrdians  naturally  pi;om|)i(>d  tliciu 
to  magnify  every  tiling  bearing  a  hostile  appearance  ;  and  they 
had  been  watciiing  with  mucli  suspicion,  during  the  wiiole  sea- 
son, the  movements  of  General  Wayne,  who  was  then  occcupy- 
ing  the  country  about  Fort  Washington.  It  was  understood 
that  he  was  not  to  advance  beyond  that  position  pending  the 
negotiations.  But  the  Indians  were  nevertheless  suspicious  lest 
he  should  avail  himself  of  the  absence  of  their  chiefs  and  war- 
riors at  tlie  council,  and  fall  upon  their  towns.  Governor  Siiu- 
coe  had  called  the  attention  of  the  Commissioners  to  this  sub- 
ject, and  they,  in  turn,  had  urged  the  consideration,  through  the 
Secretary  of  War,  upon  General  Wayne.  But,  notwitlistand- 
ina:  every  precaution  that  could  be  adopted,  the  Indians  at  the 
preliminary  council  became  alarmed ;  and,  greatly  to  the  sur- 
prise of  the  Commissioners,  while  waiting  to  embark  at  Fort 
Erie,  on  the  5th  of  July  a  vessel  arrived  from  Miami,  haviiig 
on  board  Captain  Brant,  Colonel  Butler,  and  a  deputation  of 
about  fifty  Indians  from  the  north-western  tribes,  attending  the 
council,  with  instructions  to  have  a  conference  with  the  Ameri- 
can Commissioners  in  the  presence  of  Governor  Simcoe.  The 
object  of  their  visit  was  twofold  ;  first,  they  were  desirous  of  be- 
ing enabled  "  to  possess  their  minds  in  peace  "  in  regard  to  the 
movements  of  General  Wayne  with  the  army  ;  secondly,  they 
were  desirous  of  obtaining  information  whether  the  Commis- 
sioners were  empowered  to  establish  a  new  boundary  line,  or 
rather  to  stipulate  that  the  American  settlers  should  fall  back 
upon  the  Ohio — since  the  great  majority  of  the  Indians  had  uni- 
formly disclaimed  the  boiuidary  specified  in  the  treaty  of  Fort 
Harmar.  An  immediate  interview  between  the  deputation  and 
the  Commissioners  was  arranged,  at  tire  request  of  the  former. 
at  which  a  Shawanesc  chief,  called  Cat's-Eyes,  addressed  them 
as  follows  : — 

"  Brothers  :  We  are  sent  by  tlie  nations  of  Indians  assern 
ble-d  at  the  Rapids  of  Miami,  to  meet  the  Commissioners  of  the 

♦  Generul  Lincoln's  Joiirnal. 


A 


It 


» 


'3 


i  \k 


'i\^:i,ux    ^yv'TT^i    "nrii    ,i:xiii);i.A5;'^   at  bi  .'b'M 


II:!,  ,fi  ■■,yi 
tih'l:ti:    ''r.V.' 


ifHAPN^'^   :"T'  Bi  ,■  i''A:i.:(o    m: 


m   :;7®s 


■I I  i'h,:r:!i< 


mr; 


:! 


1793.J 

Uuitod  State's, 
tho  <,'re!it  cliiofi 
ol'  this  province 
say  to  you,  and 

"  fluoTHl-.HS 

net  meet  you 
roiisons  thereof 


To  which  th( 
'•BuoTHKiis 

will  confer  with 

of  this  province 

nient  to  yon  anc 

'J'ho  parties  ti 

a  brief  (lon.snitat 

tiiat  the  meetino- 

house  at  iNiasrai 

assented,  and  a<: 

Accordingly,  on 

coinicil-iionse   al 

liiiving  arrived  ; 

Viiiioe  of  the  Con 

tiuis  :— 

"BaoTiiioH  :  ] 
come  and  meet  t\ 
return  on--  thanb 
well  this  day.  0 
inclination  is  to  d 
mind,  and  wished 

His  Excellency 

"Brothkus  :  ] 

missioners  have  e5 

and  I  shall  he  hap 

The  Commissi( 
menoed,  in  the  pn; 
a  large  number  of 
The  proceedings 


*  Ucnvriii  j_iiii(.uiu . 


t     ^ 


1793.  J 


U.N'K.VPKCTi;])    TUllV    OF    AFFAIUS. 


343 


huted  Sta  OS      W.  arc  -Wad  to  soo  you  here.     It  is  the  will  ol 
.  .0  ifrcat  cluofs  of  tl.oso  nations  that  our  l.'ath.r,  tlu,  Gov.-r  ,o 
ot  this  provuco,  should  bo  prcsoat,  aud  hear  what  wo  have  to 
say  to  you,  and  what  you  have  to  say  to  us 

"Ukothkus:  1)o  not  ,nako  yoursolv.s  uneasy  that  wo  did 
net  nice  you  at  th.  tun.-  you  propose,],  at  Sandusky,  l' o 
rea-sous  thorcol  w.ll  be  mentioned  at  another  time." 

To  whi.-h  ,h/r"'  "'■''"""  '•^''^'"'''  ""''  '"'''^'  wampum. 
1 0  wluoh  the  (.ominissioners  replied  •_ 

'•  I3HOTUKUS :  The  Con.miss.onors  ar^  ,^lad  to  .see  you.     Wo 
w>    confer  wUh  you  m  presence  of  your  Father,  the  Gover  o 
0    tins  province  at  any  time  and  place  which  shall  be  convo 
aien  to  you  and  Inm."  n.turneU  thef.ur  Mru^ 

lhopart.es  then  separated;  but  the  Indian  deputation  after 
a  hii.f  consultation,  requesrcd  another  interview  an,l  ,n!^n       , 
;l.at  the  n.^ting  with  Governor  Simcoe  ZZ"^    7:; 
Louse  at  N.agara.     To  this  arran,en.ent  the  C^l  ^^o^^^ 
assented,  and  agreed  to  returr,  thither  on  the  followin..  Z 
Accordingly,  on  the  7th  of  July,  a  conferenco  was  held  at     fe 
couucd-house  at    Niagara.     The  Governor  and  the  In  i 
liuving  arnved  at  the  council-chamber  a  i^^  minutes  in 
va^ec^  the  Com.mss.oners,  Captain  Brant  adl^^la'S  Z^ 

"BuoTUKu:  It  being  agreed  at  the  Rapids  that  we  should 
come  and  meet  the  Commissioners  in  our  Fathers  prosen  c  w 
rotura  ou^  thanks  to  the  Great  Sj.irit  for  seeing  you    eTc    ,enl 
we    tins  day.     Our  intention  and  business  is  peaceable  a^^d  our 
.nchnation  is  to  do  what  is  right  and  just.     We  are  .If 
nund,  a.id  wished  your  E.xeellency  to  be  present.' 

His  Excellency  replied  :_  ^  ^'^'  of  ^oamprun 

"BHOTiinHs :  I  am  haf.py  to  see  you  so  well.     The  Com 
missionors  have  expressed  a  wish  to  meet  vou  in  mu  n,-l 
a-K]  I  shall  be  happy  to  hear  what  they  W  to  sa^  '  '"' 

menced,  in  the  pn-sence  not  only  of  the  Governor  but  nisn  nf 
^  arge  number  of  the  civil  and  I'nilitaiy  offiJers  o  't       rtado. 
The  proceedmgs  were  opened  on  the  part  of  the  C^^I" 


I 


r4 


«i 


i.-. 


\     •    t 

1       * 

V 

" ! 

4  t 

n 


I* 


t  -^ 


hsi? 


344 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1793. 


.."'* 
"•'*»« 


h ., 


deputation  by  Cai>taia  Brant,  who  rose  with  a  belt  and  string  of 
wampum,  and  said  : — 

"  Brothers  :  We  have  met  to-day  our  brothers,  the  Boslo- 
nians  and  EngUsh.  We  ore  glad  to  have  the  meeting,  and  think 
it  by  the  appohitment  of  the  Great  Spirit. 

"Brothers  op  the  United  States:  We  told  you  tlio 
other  day,  at  Fort  Erie,  tiiat  at  another  time  we  would  inform 
you  why  we  had  not  assembled  at  the  time  and  place  appoivitod 
for  holding  the  treaty  with  you.  Now  we  inform  you,  that  it  is 
because  there  is  so  much  the  appearance  of  war  in  that  quarter. 
"Brothers  :  We  have  given  the  reason  for  our  not  meeting 
you,  and  now  request  an  explanation  of  these  warlike  appear- 
ances. 

'•  Brothers  :  The  people  you  see  here  are  sent  to  npre 
sent  the  Indian  nations  wlio  own  the  hmds  north  of  tlie  Ohio 
as  their  common  property,  and  who  are  all  of  one  mind— one 
heart. 

"  Brothers  :  We  have  come  to  speak  to  you  fjr  two  reasons : 
one,  because  your  warriors,  being  in  our  neigliborhood,  have 
prevented  our  meeting  at  the  appointed  place:  the  other,  to 
know  if  you  are  properly  authorized  to  run  and  establish  a 
new  boundary  line  between  the  lands  of  the  United  States  and 
the  lands  of  the  Indian  nations.  We  are  still  desirous  of  meet- 
ing you  at  the  appointed  place. 

"Brothers  :  We  wish  you  to  deliberate  well  on  tliis  busi- 
ness. We  have  spoken  our  sentiments  in  sincerity— considering 
ourselves  in  the  presence  of  the  Great  Spirit,  from  whom,  in 
times  of  danger,  we  expect  aKsistance."  [Wilh  this  speech  a 
belt  of  twelve  rows,  and  thirty  strings  of  immpum,  in  Jive 
bunches,  were  preseiitcd.] 

The  Connnissioners  answered: — 

'•Brothers:  We  have  attended  to  what  you   have  said. 
We  will  talce  it  into  our  serious  consideration,  and  give  you  an 
answer  to-morrow.     We  will  inform  you  when  we  are  ready." 
Captain  Brant  rejoined  :— 

"  Brother.s  :  We  thank  you  for  what  you  have  said.  You 
say  that  you  will  answer  our  speech  to-morrow.  We  now  co- 
ver up  the  council-fue." 

On  the  next  day  the  v?ommissionors  replied  at  length,  in  tlu; 
Indian   form  of  speech.      In   regard  to  the   warlike  iudica- 


1793.J  PXJOCKEDINGS    AT    NIAGARA.  345 

tions  Of  wliich  the  deputation  complained,  the  Commissioners  as- 

sared  hem  Iha  ti,ey  m.ght  "  possess  their  n.iuds  in  peaee  ;"  and 
stated  to  them  the  orders  that  had  been  transnntted'  to  G  no  1[ 

V  ay  K,  and  d.e  other  precautionary  measures  adopted  by  tho 
u.o.t  Ch,ef  General  A^ashington,  to  prevent  any  ait  of  host.l' 
ry  dnnng  the  negotiations.  On  the  subject  of  the  second 
query  01  the  Indians,  the  Commissioners  replied  expiiciti;,  tha 
they  had  authonty  to  run  and  establish  a  ne.v  boundarv  T  lis 
qnesfon.  they  were  aware,  wa.  to  be  th^  great  snbje..  of  di^ 
3,;ssK,n  ...e  conned  and  they  hoped  that  tho  rcsuh  would 
b.  satisfactory  to  both  parties.     13„t,  ui  saying  this,  they  r,. 

u.uhd  the  Indians,  that  in  almost  all  disputes  and  quarrels 
thore  was  wrong  upon  bo.h  sides,  and  conse<iuently  thaJ  in  die 
nppruachmg  comicil  both  parties  must  !,e  prepaLl  to  ma:-e 
soHie  concessions.  The  Commissioners  request  d  informati,^^ 
as  to  !U3  names  of  the  nations,  and  the  nnmlr  of  the  d  e^^ 
se,,.l>l.  at  he  Rapids  of  the  3Iiami ;  and  in  eoiielusion  re-  s 
unxl  ho  c  ueis  ot  tl.  groundlessness  of  their  npprehensio  s 
c  ,neci  ng  he  movements  of  General  Wayne,  and  explained  to 

e,n  that  they  m:,ht  place  th.msolves  perfitly  at  Lt  upon 
tins  poirt;  proniismg,  moreover,  immediately  to  "send  a  messen 
pr  on  horseback  "  to  the  Great  Chief  cf  riie  United  States  o 
'•d.jsifo  him  to  rpiii>ur  ..m^l   .♦„^..„i ...         .  ' 


-■—•^  -""''  n  nie  united  States,  to 

d.Mro  him  to  renew  and  s^ro„gly  repeat  his  orders  to  liis 
|e...i.v.  ..rnor   not  only  to  aaslaai  from  all  hostilities  a,.ai.ist 
tlie  Indians,  hut  to  rr>m;.in  /^..iJr,*  „f  i.;„ •,    . 


„,,     ,    ,  '^   '"  ""■^"""  '">'n  an  Hostilities  asraiust 

he   nd.an.s^  hut  to  remain  quiet  at  his  posts  until  the  event  of 
the  treaty  should  be  known."     Having  r..turned  the  Belt, 
<  ats-Lyes,  the  Shawanese  leader,  rej)lied  •— 

"HU0THRH.S,TII,.    BOSTONIAN.,,    ATTKNli  !    Wc    haVe    hcaid 

our  WOK  s.  Our  fathers,  the  English  people,  have  also  hea  d 
cm  We  tnank  God  that  you  have  been  preserved  in  peace 
tha^  we  bring  our  pipes  together.  The  people  of  auZ 
'I'll'-rent  nations  here  salute  you.  They  rejoice  to  hear  yo  r 
«|ords  It  gives  us  great  satisfaction  that  our  fi.thers  tlie  En 
ghsh,  have  also  heard  them.  AVe  shall  for  the  pre  eni  ake^  n 
our  p.pes  and  r.t.re  to  our  encampments,  where' we  sh  I  delT 
herately  consider  your  .peech,  and  return  you  an  answer  to! 

The  conference  was  re-opened  on  the  !)th,  when  Cavtun 
SrantaroM,  with  the  I,<.lt  and^strin^s  in  his  Iu^kIs  .d.HiS 


■V^'. 


it.ii 


I'i   Us 


346 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1793. 


►-..^ 


boon  presented  by  the  Commissioners  on  the  picceding  day,  i'lid 
addressiniT  himself  to  the  English  and  Americans,  said  :— 

"  BuoTHK.KS  :  We  are  glad  the  Great  Spirit  has  preserved 
us  in  peace  to  meet  together  this  day. 

"  liHOTiiKiis  OF  THE  United  States  I  Ycstcrday  you  nindo 
an  answer  to  the  message  delivered  by  us,  from  the  great 
council  at  the  Miami,  in  the  two  particulars  we  had  stated  lo 
you. 

"  Brothers  :  You  may  depend  on  it  that  we  fully  under- 
stand your  speech.  We  shall  take  with  us  your  belt  and 
strings,  and  repeat  it  to  the  chiefs  at  the  great  council  at 
Miami." 

[Laying  down  the  belt  and  strings,  the  Captain  took  up  a 
white  belt,  ;ind  proceeded  :] 

"  Brotheks  :  We  have  something  fartlier  to  say,  though  iioi 
much.  We  are  small,  compared  with  our  great  chiels  at 
]\liami:  but,  though  small,  we  have  something  to  say.  Wu 
think,  brothers,  from  your  speech,  that  lliere  is  a  prospect  of  our 
coming  together.  We,  who  arc  the  nations  at  the  westward,  are 
of  one  mind  :  and  if  we  agree  with  you,  as  there  it;  a  prospect 
that  we  shall,  it  will  be  binding  and  lasting. 

"Bkotiikr.s:  Oi»r  prospects  are  the  fairer,  because  all  our 
minds  are  one.  You  have  not  spoken  to  us  before  imitcdlv. 
Formerly,  because  you  did  not  speak  to  us  unitedly,  what  was 
done  was  nM  binding.  Now  you  have  an  o])portunily  to  speak 
to  tis  together ;  and  we  now  take  you  by  tlic  hand  to  load  yoii 
to  the  ))lace  appointed  for  the  meeting. 

"  Brothi:r.s  :  One  thing  more  we  have  to  say.  Yesterdav 
you  expressed  a  wish  to  be  informed  of  the  names  of  ilie  na- 
tions and  number  of  chiefs  assembled  at  the  Miami.  But  as 
t\  >Y  were  daily  coming  in,  we  cannot  give  you  exact  inlbrma 
tion.  You  will  see  lor  your.selves  in  a  lew  days.  When  we 
left  it,  the  following  nations  were  there,  viz:  Five  Nations, 
Wyandots,  ^hawancsc,  Dolawares,  Munsees,  Miamies,  Ottawas| 
Chippewas,  ruttaw.ittamies,  Mingoes,  Cherokees,  Naiitikokcs. 
The  principal  men  of  all  these  nations  were  there." 

A  white  belt  of  seven  rows. 
The  Commissioners  then  replied  : — 

"  Brothers  :  Oiir  ears  have  been  open  to  your  speech.  It 
Is  aerecable  to  us.     We  are  readv  to  nrr^r<v«^  xxruu  ,,«,.  »„  c!.„ 

— J    t-   ^^ — ^-,--     ...I...  j._fit    tv  s:7ri::- 


I.793.J 


PROCEEDINGS    AT    THE    WEST. 


347 


dusky,  where,  under  the  direction  of  the  Great  Spirit,  we  hope 
.1..  ..e  shui  soon  establish  a  peace  on  terms  equally  n  terestu'l: 
uiKl  agreeable  to  all  parties." 

Wiiile  these  deliberations  were  in  progress,  a  deputation  from 
t  e  beven  Nat.o.is  of  Canada  arrived  at  N.agara,  L  the  nnn.be 
0.  uvo  hundred  and  e.ghty.     The  proceedings  Jcre  tcrunnated 
with  a  eonMont  expectation  on  all  hands  that  the  result  of  .hc- 
mission  would  be  a  pacific  arrangement.     vVitii  (he  public  dis- 
patches tra.>sm,tted  to  the  Secretary  of  War  Iron,  this  j.lace 
ho^vever,  Ge.ieral  Lincoln  addressed  a  private  letter  to  that  oili: 
ccr,  ndvtstng  nnr  that  ,f  the  reports  in  circulation  were  in  Jy 
degree  true  Getieral  Wayne  n.ust  have  violated  the  cleaiesi 

si.It-less,  however,  on  account  of  the  personal  safety  of  the 
Loaimissioners,  wlios.  lives  would  be  tlu.v  1,^  jeoparded  than 
for  t lie  a,>prehensions  iHt  ior  the  honor  of  the  coun'"  t,  "n 
n-ut  had  given  nifor.nation  as  to  the  movements  of Vay n 
the  certainty  of  winch  there  conid  be  but  little  doubt  •  and  tl.;  . 
nove.nen ts  caused  the  Commissioners  as  much  uneasines  as 
t>ey  did  the  India.is-;  being  moreover  viewed  by  the  Mi"l 
oliicers  at  Niagara  as  unfair  and  mmarrantable 

<;aptam  Brant  and  the  Indian  deputation  proceeded  on  then 
rofimto   Miam,,  m  advance  of  the  (.'onnnL.oners.tl^  itt 
enibarkmg  from  Fort  Erie  on  the  Mth.     On  the.  21s.  thZ 

^rtr^nfr^'^r^"-^'^'-^-'--''^-^--'^^^- 

.na-the  Hr.Ush  authorities  at  Detroit  forbiddmg  tlie.r  apiJoach 
.n  or  toward  the  place  of  meeting.  Thev  werc^  hou^:'^^' 
1-1  yentertatned  at  thcianding-place by  Captain  Blliot  C    o 
MKees  assistant  m  the  India,.  Department.     The  latter 
ticor  was  m  attendance  upon  the  council  at  tFie  Rapids   to 
hom  the  Comnnssioners  lost  no  time  in  addressing  a  no'  '  '! 
insing  hnn  of  their  tuTival,  and  of  their  design  to  rem."n  thl 
unt    the  (ndians  should  be  ready  to  remove  ^ul  I^X^ 
dusky.     They. ISO  re,,uested  the  good  offices  of  Colonel  M' 
K  0  .n  ,^^,,        J,,,  proceeding,  of  the  Indians.     This  dis- 
h  was  borne  by  Captain  Elliot  himself,  who  returned  on  the 

';P"t.monol  upu-ard  of  twenty  Indians  from  the  different  L 
"oiis  m  council.     An  audience  ..r  .ijec  t.,,.:„.,_  ..    "  "'^f  "^  ""- 

%il>llowing,at  whichaWya.,dotChi;X:imr.:E;: 


IS    >* 


348 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1793. 


glish  was  Carry-onc-al)Oiit,  opened  their  business  with  the  fol- 
lowing unexpected  address ; — 

"  liiioTiiKKs,  LisTKN  !  We  are  <(lad  to  see  you  here  in  pence, 
and  thank  the  Great  Spirit  that  has  preserved  us  to  meet  a<,raiii. 

''Urothkus:  We  were  sent  to  speak  with  you  some  time 
ago  at  Niagara.  Some  cliiefs  are  now  here  wiio  were  tiien  proscnt. 

"Urotiikus  :  We  did  not  explain  ourselves  to  each  other, 
and  we  did  not  rightly  understand  each  other. 

"  IhioTiiKiis  :  We  desire  that  we  may  rightly  understand  carh 
other.  We  Iiave  tiiought  it  best  that  what  we  liad  lo  say  should 
be  ])ut  into  writing,  and  here  is  the  meaning  of  our  hearts. 

Saying  whicii,  the  Wyandot  chief  put  a  paper  into  the  liands 
ol  the  Coninii.ssioners,  winch  read  as  follows  : — 

"  To  TIIK  CoMMlS.SlO.XKliS  OF  THE  U.MTED  StATKS. 

"IhiOTiiKRs  :  I'lie  Deputies  we  sent  you  did  not  fully  ex- 
plain our  meaning.  We  have  therelbre  sent  others  to  meet  you 
once  more,  that  you  may  fully  understand  the  great  question  wn 
liave  to  ask  you,  and  to  which  we  expect  an  cxjjlicit  answer  in 
writing. 

"  Broth  i:rs  :  You  are  sent  here  by  the  United  States  in  or- 
der to  make  peace  with  us,  the  Confederate  hidians. 

"  Brotukrs  :  Yon  know  very  well  that  the  boimdary-linc, 
which  was  run  by  the  white  people  and  iis,  at  the  Treaty  of 
l'"'ort  Stanwix,  V\'as  the  river  Ohio. 

"Brothkrs:  If  you  seriously  design  to  make  a  firm  nnd 
]a.sting  peace,  you  will  immediately  remove  all  your  people  hum 
our  side  of  that  river. 

■'  Rrotjier.s  :  Wo  therefore  ask  yon,  Are  you  fully  authoris- 
ed by  the  United  States  to  continue  and  fix  firmly  on  the  Ohio 
river  as  the  boundary-lino  between  your  people  and  oin-s  ? 

"  Done  in  General  C'omicil,  at  the  loot  of  the  Miami  Ra]iids, 
27th  July,  1703.  In  I)ehfilf  of  ourselves  and  the  whole  Confc- 
Jeracy,  and  agreed  to  in  full  council." 

This  missive  was  signed  by  the  Wyandots,  Delawares,  Shawa- 
.lese,  Miamis,  MinL'oes,  Pottawattamies,  Ottawas,  Uonnoys 
Chippcwas,  and  Mursjires  :  but  not  by  the  Six  Nations.  The 
(,'omniissioners  replied  to  (i/<m  at  groat  htv^h  m  tlu;  afternoon. 
They  Ixgan,  aft*/  Hie  [ndiuii  custom,  by  rej-Kfflling  their  speech 
^ind  then  gav*?  a  suffinet  .statement  of  i^w,  contirences  at  Nia- 
gara, uiid  the  perfcrt  uadcrstandiKfi^'  lu-jii  hud.,  tiiut  some  cuii- 


1793. 


I'KOCKEDINUS    AT    TIIK    WKST. 


349 


cc,s«i<:ns  would  Iio  necessary  on  both  sides  .n,!  .r     ,  •  ,     , 
^^'■r,  t„  .fH..ak  f,u:o  to  rare      Thev  l.t      '      ,    !  ''"'''  "'"y 
«ixtV  <lays  beyond  the  tn.,"ap,i  ^ij'^  tl^" ,'"''"  '?""' 

f'-'l'HMs,  iVo.a  th,    ;  .  ^0/         /«■■"      ^ ''"'  "'^'  north-western 

u.mj  IMG  &IX  Nations  renewed  tlieir  tw^ur  nf  i^  . 
ht'iMwix.of  1781,  a/id  the  Wyandots  -md  7  [  ^  *^"" 
"'"'.-.'lirM,ed  the  treaty  of  Fn^^j;:^,;'';;™  -^7^ 
P"rti.,-.s  to  ihi«  treaty  from  thn  nV,  ">  ''"'  ''^^'"'^  "'■'^« 

ini.-s  an.l  ,Saes      LW        'I  ^""^^'^^',  ^  "'"l>P«was,  Pottawatta- 

Ohio  ,nr.d  0.    hc^.  iror  1  "      ^Z  "'"  '"'''''"■^'  '"'"h  of  the 

P'"l'"-.l,  as  the  ha.i.  of  neoX..  t  "  i o  rr'"'";"''  ''^"'^ 
'""l"'-^''  "II  the  lands  cededl  rtC;r  ■  tl  '  Tm  """  ^" 
••'Iso  a  small  (ran  of  im,l  .ft  ,,  ?  ^  ^'''"  Harmar,  and 
U,.n.  n.l  (I  ^  ^  "'''  ^^■■'P'^^'  °^  "le  Ohio,  claimed  bv 

'•'  at       e.:^.  "f  """'"  '""'^>^  "^  ^°-'«  aswL.evc 

•'U'  i  '     .0    nHlf''  ^^^^"""^•^y^^I'^'ia"  lands  sinee  the 

'i»<' '  "iniiiiMNioiKirH  said  :—  conclusion, 

^  """•»••„,,«« :  Wo  have  now  opened  onr  hoarts  to  v^-      Mr 
-  ^-m  -  Imvin,  an  opporttmity  of  doin.  it,  thou^.  ^e^hotlld 


I 

M 


^ 


Ms.--:; 


■f> « .. . 


:.v  - 

13;  : 


350 


l.IFK    OP    nRANT. 


[1793 

have  been  more  Iiappy  to  have  done  it  in  full  council  of  your 
nations.  We  expect  soon  to  have  tliis  satisfaction,  and  that 
your  next  deputation  will  take  us  hy  the  hand,  and  l(>ad  us  lo 
the  treaty.  Wiicn  wo  nii-ct  and  converse  with  each  other 
freely,  we  may  more  easily  remove  any  diliiculties  which  nuiy 
come  in  the  way." 

A  vjJiite  bdi  with  Ihirlcan  sfriprs  of  block  warnpvin. 

The  speech  havinti:  hceu  interpreted  fully  to  the  deputatien 
the  coiuicil  was  adjourned  mni!  the  next  day,  when,  havin<'-  re- 
assembled, the  Wyandot  chief  rose,  and  re|  lied  as  lo  lows  ;— 

"  BuoTinfus :  We  arc  all  brothers  you  see  Jiere  now. 
Brothers,  it  is  now  three  yeai-s  since  you  liave  desired  to  speak 
with  us.  We  iieard  you  yesterday,  a:!(l  understand  well,  per 
fectly  well.     AVe  have  a  ii}\\r  words  to  say  to  you. 

''  Bhothkus  :  You  mentioned  the  treaties  of  Fort  Stanwix, 
Beaver  Creek,  and  other  places.  Those  treaties  were  not  con; 
plete.  There  were  but  few  chiefs  who  treated  with  you.  You 
have  not  bought  our  lands  ;  they  belong  to  us.  You  tried  to 
draw  off  some  of  us. 

"  BiioTiiKRS :  Many  years  ago  we  all  know  that  the  Ohio 
was  made  the  boundary  ;  it  was  settled  by  Sir  William  Jolnison. 
Tliis  side  is  ours ;  we  look  upon  it  as  our  property. 

"  Bkothi;rs  :  You  mention  Gen(>ral  Washington.  He  ami 
you  know  you  have  houses  and  people  on  our  lands.  You  say 
you  cannot  move  them  off;  and  we  cannot  give  up  our  lands. 

•'  BuoTHKits  :  We  are  sorry  that  we  camiot  come  to  an  agree- 
ment.    The  line  has  been  fixed  long  ago. 

BuoTiiKRS  :  We  do  not  say  much.  There  has  been  mncli 
miscliief  on  both  sides.  We  came  here  upon  peace,  and  thoiii:lit 
you  did  the  same.  We  wish  you  to  remain  here  for  an  answer 
from  us.  We  have  your  .speech  in  our  breasts,  and  shall  consult 
our  head  warriors." 

From  the  1st  to  the  I4th  of  Auirust  the  ronimissioncrs  were 
detained  at  the  place  of  their  first  landing,  in  the  daily  expecta- 
tion of  receiving  an  invitation  to  join  the  council  at  the  Rapids 
They  had  information  from  thence  several  rimes,  and  on  the  8th 
were  infortned  that  all  the  nations  were  disposed  for  peace,  ex- 
cepting the  Shawaiiose,  Wyandots,  Miarnies,  and  Ilela wares. 
Th«!  Six  Nations,  and  I  be  S«nTn  Nations  of  Canada,  exerted 
iheirwelves  strongly  lu  biini;  about  a    ;'.«-i(iriitioM.      It  wn'--  ni'- 


1793.] 


PKOCKEUING.^    AT   THE    WEST. 


35! 

dorstood  however,  that  the  debates  had  been  long  and  animal- 
ed.     Cap  un  IJrant  and  the  ( Jurn-ph.ntor  Were^n.wea^i        a 
thc<r  efforts  to  acoo,n,,lish  this  desirable  object,  and  hot     snoi  e 
much  n.  conned      The  discussions  being'  this      o  ra    ecU  e 
former  avaUed  hnnsolfof  the  tin.e  to  endeavor  to  Lhs    t  e  d^ 
rect  nuerposmou  oi  Governor  Sirncoe  to  bring  the  India      nu« 
a  m.re  ,,ac.hc  ten.per.     ].'or  that  purpose  thel'aptain  dilt  h 
e    n.ossengers  to  York,  at  wh.ch  place*  the  Upper  (  a  ndroi 
Government  w..  abont  being  established,  u.th'    t  e  ^  t;      e 
Governor,  ,na,rnnng  hnn  of  the  intractable  disposhioa  of   ie 
luui.ms,  and  sohe.nng  his  inflnence  to  induce  them  to    on  pro 

=>  it.uci,  tnat,  as  Ins  correspondent  fIJrant)  well 

Hn;^si:;rjsr;o";:;rrr"^^^""^ 

..yhe  Indians    that  mirC^tXir 
^tul,  he  thought  the  Indians  were  the  best  judges  ■.  ^Z 
terms  upon  winch  a  treaty  of  peace  should  be'„eg4     d     and 
at  their  request  he  had  directed  the  Indian  A^cts  to  at.     d 

tliou- councils,  and  explain  to  then,   .n,r 

,i,„       •  ,       '       ,    •^"^""  ^o  '"""  '-ny  circumstances  which 
t  ey    night  not  clearly  understand.     There  was  anothe 
mnstance  which  Governor  Simcoe  thought  would        der  t 
■■"proper  for  hnn  to  interfere,  which  will  be  best  understood  bv 
qnoung  his  own  words  from  the  letter  :-"  Since  Z(T    ^ 

;;-.-!  of,,.  United  States  liave  shown  a  di':^,,MZ 
-r  with  the  Indian  nations  in  requesting  of  his  A  a   s  y       ' 

...ssion  for  me  to  attend  at  Sandusky  as  mediator,  it  wm'|  I 
i...  ly  improper  and  unseasonable  m  me  to  give  my  opi  on 
relanve  to  the  proposed  boundaries,  wuh  which  I  am  not  sX 
cient  y   acquainted,  a,rd  which   question   I  have   st^  1 

V  .ded  entering  into,  a.  I  am  well  aware  of  the  iealou^ilsen^ 

-ta,ne<l  by  some  of  the  subjects  of  the  United  'statesro"  tTe 

er  erence  of  the  British  Government,  which  has  a  na  ura 

"        sitn         t '""  ^"'''  ""^  P^'-'"^"*^'"  tranquility      I„ 

•l.is  situation  I  am  sure  yon  will  rxense   me  from  crivL  tn 

vou  any  advice,  which,  from  my  absence  from  tlTe^pot  rannl^ 
*  Now  Toronto,  the  capital  of  Upper  Cana-la. 


at 


l»  >»  «  ,         r 


352 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[i7o;i. 


"possibly  aiiso  Iroai  that  perfect  view  and  kuowledgc  wliicli  so 
"  important  a  subject  necessarily  demands."* 

This  letter  contains  the  oidy  authority  extant   for  the   fact 
that  Governor  Simcoe  himself  had  been  proposi-d  as  the  media- 
tor, and  rejected,  and  he  may  have  been  ])'u[[\>A  thereat.     Still. 
allliongh  ho  cautiously  abstained  iVoi;    lie  remotest  interlereiico, 
there  was  nothing  in  this  communication  calculated  to  deleat  a 
pacific  determination  of  the  council.     The  (Commissioners  were 
yet  anxiously  awaiting  the  result  at  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit 
River.     On  the  11th  of  August  they  were  iniormcd  that  tlic 
debates  were  still  running  high  in  council ;  that  the  chiefs  of 
the  Six  Nations  had  spoken  twice,  and  were  about  to  speak 
a  third  time.     Indeed,  so  desirous  were  they  now  of  efl'ectiii'i- 
a  pacific  arrangement,  that  Tliaycndanegea  was  determined  to 
transcend  the  ordinary  rules  of  an  Indian  council,  and  speak  a 
fourth  time,  should  it  become  necessary.!     It  was  added,  that 
nearly  half  the  four  tribes,  who  were  persisting  for  war,  bad 
been  won  over  ;  and  hence,  when  the  messengers  left  the  coun- 
cil, they  even  anticipated  tbat  runners  with  pacific  news  would 
overtake  them.     Having  waited,  however,  imtil  the  14th,  and 
receiving  no  farther  news,  the  Commissioners  [)roposed  to  re- 
pair to  the  council  in  person — but  were  prevented  by  tlie  Britisii 
authorities,  who  would  not  sntfer  them  to  move  in  that  direc- 
tion, unless  by  special  iuvitati<ni  from  the  council.     Impatient 
of  longer  delay,  their  next  measure  was  to  send  a  speech  to  the 
council,  with  a  mpiest  to  Captain  Brant  to  bring  it  before  thcrn, 
urging  upon  them  the  necessity  of  a  speedy  determinnlinn  of 
the  question  of  pi-ace  or  war,  one  way  or  the  other.     The  con- 
clusion of  this  address  was  thus  : — 

"Brothkrs:  AVe  have  waited  fourteen  days,  and  no  an- 
swer has  arrived. 

'•  Broth KRs  :  It  is  time  to  bring  the  business  to  a  conclusion. 

*  Fr  'in  tlir  original  Itlter  anion<;  ihc  Brant  puprrs. 

t  Wh»t  •  pitv  that  at  stich  an  Indian  Congri's.«,  wlipre  thr  nrpat  uarriors  nnd 
I  nton  <it  fci  many  nations  were  assrmblod  to  (li-cii.-<s  subjects  ut  once  llin  most  1 1- 
crtin;:  am!  of  tho  dwppsi  moment  to  (ln^n,  a  hpnch  of  stono^rap tiers  coiilil  not  hn»i" 
liwn  present !  Wlial  bursts  of  thr^Ung  elnqiiff.-—lhn  uasi^pbisticated  lanoiiane 
of  iiiitun — gatJwiIng  all  its  niftjj.hors  fresh  an.i  glowing  from  her  own  riili  store- 
Iioiisc— tlie  flowers,  tlw  forests,  and  the  Hoods — Ilia  sun,  the  stars,  and  thr  hliw 
sky— th*  wmds,  tiie  wrthqu  i  e,  and  the  storm — must  there  ha»e  been  poured  forth 
but  t£>  Am  a  WSV  upon  tlu>  fafA  thgt.  haKril  th^m  * 


m3.]  nUPTUUE    WITH    THE    COMMISSIONERS.  353 

Tiio  summer  has  almost  passed  away,  and  we  do  not  yet  even 
ki'ow  whotlicr  we  are  to  have  a  treaty. 

"  IJiioTi.ERs  :  You  know  that  we  came  to  treat  with  you  of 
peace.  We  agam  tell  you,  that  we  earnestly  desire  to  mak-e 
peace  ;  and  m  the  terms  of  peace  we  are  disposed  to  do  you  am- 
ple justice.  Hut  if  no  treaty  is  to  be  held,  if  peace  is  not  to  be  ob- 
tained, we  desu-e  lUHnediately  to  know  it,  that  we  may  cro  homo  " 
I5ut  all  the  anticipations  of  a  pacilic  adjustment  of ''the  ditli- 
culfes  proved  (itllacious.  Two  days  alter  this  address  had  been 
dispatched  to  the  care  of  Captain  Bnmt  and  the  Corn-planter,  the 
Commissioners  received  a  long  address  from  the  council  in 
writing,  m  answer  to  their  own  speech  of  .Tuly  31st,  which 'pnt 
ail  cud  to  the  negotiation.     It  was  addressed, 

"To  THE  Commissioners  of  the  United  States. 
"BiiOTiiERs  :  We  have  received  your  speech  of  the  3ist  of 
last  month,  and  it  has  been  interpreted  to  all  the  different  nations 
We  have  been  long  in  sending  you  an  answer,  because  of  the 
great  importance  of  the  subject.     But  we  now  answer  it  fuUv 
iuu-ing  given  it  all  the  consideration  in  our  power." 

Ill  their  address  the  council  entered  upon  an  extended  review 
ol  the  negotiations  heretofore  referred  to,  and  the  circurnstancps 
uiKl.n-  which  the  treaties  of  Fort  J\rintosh  and  Fort  Harmar 
wore  mad(...     They  contended  that  tlicse  treaties  had  not  been 
proporly  obtained,  and  were  not  binding  upon  the  Indians  inas- 
iimcii  as  but  raw  of  their  chiefs  and  warriors  had  been  present 
ut  the  councils,  and  those  kw  were  not  empowered  to  cede  away 
any  of  their  lands.     Of  this  fact  they  said  they  had  apprised 
*  General  St.  Clair  before  the  treaties  were  made,  and  admonished 
ium  not  to  proceed.     But  he  persisted  in  holding  councils  in 
which  their  nations  were  not  consulted,  and  in  rcceivino-  ces 
sioiis  of  an  immense  country,  in  which  the  few  who,  under  con- 
orramt,  had  signed  the  treaty,  were  no  more  interested  than  as  a 
ineie  branch  of  the  General  Confederacy,  and  had  no  authoiuy 
to  make  any  grant  whatever.     In  reply  to  the  remarks  of  tlie 
Commissioners  respecting  the  impracticability  of  breakin<^  up 
the  settlements  on  the  disputed  territory,  and  their  offers  of 
large  sums  of  money  for  a  confirmation  of  the  grant  under  the 
treaty  of  |.\,rt  Harmar,  the  speech  of  the  Council  w;is  :,  T^mous 
and  ibreible.     Indeed,  the  residue  of  this  document  ;     worth. 
•  ruiiscribing  entire : — 


M 


;;■?' 


! 


■■"     SHI''"        li^l 


I  «l ..  «     % 


"•  ■•  \ 


351 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


p:  .< 


,.  ■,,,  ■ 


[1793 

•'  nuoTiiKiis  :  Monny  to  us  is  of  no  value,  and  to  most  of  us 
uuluiowii  ;  ;,iul  as  no  consideration  whatcner  can  iiidun;  u?  to 
sell  otn  lands,  on  which  we  get  sustenance  for  our  women  and 
children,  we  hope  we  may  be  allowed  to  point  out  a  mode  hy 
which  your  settlers  may  be  easily  removed,  and  peace  therebv 
obtained.  . 

"  J3K0TIIEKS  :  We  know  that  these  settlers  are  poor,  or  they 
never  would  have  ventured  to  live  in  a  country  which  hi.'^ 
been  m"  continual   trouble  ever  since  they  crossed   the  Oliio^ 
Divide,  therefore,  this  large  sum  of  money  which  you  have 
offered  to  us  among  these  people ;  give  to  each  also  a  propor- 
tion of  what  you  say  you  would  give  us  annually,  over  and 
above  this  large  sum  of  money  ;  and  we  are  persuaded  flioy 
would  most  readily  accept  of  it  in  lieu  of  the  lands  you  sold  to 
them.     If  you  add,  also,  tiie  great  sums  you  must  expend  in 
raising  and  paying  armies  with  a  view  to  force  us  to  yield  yoii 
onrcoi'M/iv,  you  will  certainly  have  more  than  sufllciont  feu 
the  p-.fr.>>oii  of  repaying  these  settlers  for  all  their  labor  and 
im:;i.  v.;-:M';iU'i. 

«  Bujyt  riKRs  :  You  have  talked  to  us  about  concessions.  It 
appears  str.inge  that  you  expect  any  from  us,  who  have  onlv 
been  defending  our  just  rights  against  your  invasions,  ^\^o 
want  peace.  Restore  to  us  our  coi-inry,  and  we  shall  be  ene- 
mies no  lonofer. 

"  Brothkrs  :  You  make  one  concession  to  us  by  offerinir  to 
us  your  money,  and  another  by  having  agreed  to  do  us  jiist'ice, 
after  having  long  and  injuriously  withheld  it ;  we  mean,  in  the 
acknowledgment  you  have  now  made  that  the  Kiii"-  of  En- 
gland never  did,  nor  ever  had  a  right  to  give  you  our"  country 
by  the  treaty  of  peace.  And  you  want  to  make  this  act  of  com- 
mon justice  a  great  part  of  your  concession,  and  seem  to  expect, 
that  because  you  have  at  last  acknowledgi  d  our  independence, 
we  should  for  such  a  favor  surrender  to  you  our  country. 

"  Brothers  :  You  have  also  talked  a  great  deal  aboiit  pre- 
emption, and  your  exclusive  right  to  purchase  the  Indian  lands, 
as  ceded  to  yon  by  the  King  at  the  treaty  of  peace. 

"  Brothers  :  We  never  made  any  agreement  with  the  King, 
nor  with  any  other  nation,  that  we  would  give  to  either  the  ex- 
clusive right  to  purchase  our  lands ;  and  we  declare  to  you,  that 
we  consider  ourselves  free  to  make  any  bargain  or  cession  of 


179;5.J 


nUEAKINO    UP    OP   TIIK    COUNCIL. 


355 


lands  wMoncvor  n„d  to  wl.omsoovcr  wo  please.     If  the  white 

V  .  .r  IK,  dd  purchase  o(  us,  and  ho  has  ..iven  that  ri-Wu  to  the 
L^  ted  ,utos  u  Ks  an  allair  which  concorns  you  andlmn,  and 
not  us.     We  have  never  parted  with  such  a  power 

liHOTHKus  :.At  our  sonoral  council  held  at  the  Glaizu 
Fall,  we  agreed  to  meet  Con^issioners  tron.  the  United  States^ 
for  the  purpose  of  restoring  peace,  provided  thoy  consented  to 
aclviowledge  and  conf.rn.  our  boundary  line  to  be  the  Oh.o  ;  Id 

on  tiKU  point.      1  hat  is  the  reason  we  have  never  ni.3t. 

BHOTiiKits:  We  desire  you  to  consider  that  our  only  de- 
mand Ks  the  peaceable  possession  of  a  small  part  of  our'once 
great  country.  Look  back  and  view  the  lands  from  whence 
we  have  been  driven  to  this  .spot.  We  can  retreat  no  I  tl" 
b^^canse  the  country  behind  hardly  atlbrds  food  for  its  pre  t' 
|nl.ab,tants  ;  and  we  have  therefore  resolved  to  leave  our  bo. 
m  ins  small  space,  to  which  we  are  now  consigned.  • 

Bkotiikhs:  We  shall  be  persuaded  that  you  mean  to  do 
J.  st,ce,  d  you  agree  that  the  Ohio  shall  re.nain  the  boundary 
i^  etween  us.  H  you  will  not  consent  thereto,  our  meetinl 
will  he  al  ogether  unnecessary.  This  is  the  great  point,  which 
-  hoped  would  have  been  explained  before  yiu  iJft  ,^ 
liouses  ;  as  our  message  last  Autumn  was  principally  directed  to 
obtain  that  information.  yun^cteato 

"Done  in  General  Council  at  the  foot  of  the  Miami  Rapids 
on  tlie  13th  day  of  August,  1793."  ^      ' 

This  address  was  signed  by  the  Wvandots,  the  Seven  Na 
..ons  of  Canacla,  the  Delaware,  Shawanese,  liiamis  O  t"  wa 
C  uppeways  Senecas  fof  ,i,e  Glaize),  Pottawattamies  CoimZ 
M  ns  es,  rsantikokes,  Mohegans,  Missisaguas,  Creeks,  and 
Cbeiokees-the  name  of  each  nation  being  written,  and  iis  em- 
blem or  escutcheon  rudely  pictured  opposite  the  name  *    The 


•  TIm.s,  n-xonlinc;  to  the  onginal  connm.nicnrion  in  the  „„t| 


Wyatiilotfi 

Seven  Nations  of  Canada, 

Delawares, 

Sliawaneso, 

Miamis, 

"itawas, 

Chippcways, 


A  Bear.  .Senecas  of  the  Gluizi 

A  Turtle.  Potlawnttamies, 

A  Turtle.  Connoys, 
Miinseea, 

A  Tnrtle.  Nantikokes, 
A  Fish. 
A  Crane 


itlior'g  possession  : — 


Mohegans, 


A  Turtle. 
A  Fisl). 
A  Turkey. 

A  Turtle. 
I  A  Turllfi, 
'  A  Turkey, 


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Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STHCET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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356 


UPE   OP   nilANT. 


I"  ' 


>• 


i  .1 


[1793, 


Six  Nations  did  not  sign  it.  Indeed,  it  is  believed  that  Captain 
Brant  and  the  Six  Nationa  ''held fast  together"  in  their  etrorta 
to  make  peace,  to  the  h»st ;  nnd  that  the  character  of  the  final 
answer  of  the  council  was  not  communicated  to  them  previous 
to  its  being  sent  olf.  On  tho  contrary,  they  were  told  that  it  was 
a  proposition  to  meet  tho  C'onnnissioners  on  the  Miami  instead 
of  Sandusky,  about  five  miles  below  their  then  place  of  sitting ; 
and  so  well  assured  were  thoy  of  the  fact,  that  they  proposed 
removing  thither  the  day  ultor  tho  runners  were  dispatched  from 
the  council-fire. 

Nothing  could  be  moro  explicit  than  this  ultimatum  of  the 
Indians.  Their  sine  qua  mn  was  tho  Ohio  for  the  boundary. 
To  this  proposition  tho  Connuissioners  could  never  assent,  and 
they  accordingly  wrote  to  tho  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  council 
at  the  Rapids,  that  "the  negotiation  vas  at  an  end."  So  imper- 
fect are  the  records  of  Indian  I listory,  preserved,  as  they  are,  for  the 
most  port,  only  in  the  Uiblcts  of  the  brain,  the  memory  being  aided 
by  belts  and  other  emblems—that  it  is  a  diflicult  matter  to  deter- 
mine the  precise  merits  of  tho  controversy  sought  to  be  terminated 
at  this  council.  Being  the  weaker  party,  belonging  to  a  doomed 
race,  the  law  of  the  strongo.st  was  of  course  left  to  decide  it*in 
the  end,  and  the  Indians  woro  driven  beyond  the  Mississippi. 
But  an  impartial  survey  of  tiio  case,  at  the  distance  of  only  forty 
years,  presents  strong  reasons  for  believing  that  the  Indians 
were  the  party  aggrieved.  Certainly,  it  would  form  an  excep- 
tion in  the  history  of  their  dealings  with  the  white  man,  if  they 
were  not ;  while  it  is  very  evident  that  they  themselves  solemn- 
ly believed  they  were  the  injured  party.  And,  thus  believing, 
nothing  could  have  been  more  patriotic  than  the  attitude  as- 
sumed in  their  address,  or  more  noble  than  the  declarations  and 
sentiments  it  contained. 


N-'O.W 


»i  »»' 


it 


i^tli 


CHAPTER  XIJ. 

euspectecl  duplicity  o.<-(ho  British  authorities-Conduct  of  Simon  Girfv    r,i    i 
upon  the  subject  by  Captain  Rranf— ( •niin,.il  „.  u  cr  \    ™  ,,"">— Oisclosures 

dLss  of  the^  Great  Con^re«s-Spce^rorCant?inR?'  T''  ''"*"'•"  ''P''''  "*'  "'« 
council-Mission  of  Generaf  Cha?  n  to  A'.SS  phifwUh'E'"-/'"/''"''" 
nnsafsfactory  to  the  Indians-Re5  Jacket-  niSSom-Soi^'Ii^n^^ 
Brant  in  rep  y  to  the  answer  of  thp  Tlniffrt  <5t„f"  '  V^  .^  , -P?*''^''  °'  Cuptain 
.he  United  Slates  and  Grea  BritarP-Tnflammato;TTr^''%V^''''rr  °  ^''^"'" 
anestion  of  its  authenticity  seed-ConZet  of  P^./™  c^"'''  Dorchester- 
of  President  Washington-Hisl^°?o  m^  S'.n.oe-Indigna.ion 

a,ain.t  holding  a  council  at  Venangc-Tho  d Li^n VuftS-lS^'r 
the  West— Smgu.ar  messatre  fmn?  ihp  .h-ton.ij'j,"""^^  ■'"'""''■  "> 

French  influenc-e-Their  ^p:et(J:i\"^^tn:ral"'C^ 

Pennsylvania  rcl.nquishe.  P-l'-'no    sK  f  ^  '^M^^^^^^  ^''''jh- 

Recovery-Ind  ans  repulsed  in  ,Lir  attack  upc^^hofo  ^Le  tJr      1".^:!    '"^^ 
an  account  of  the  battle-Advance  of  Wayne  to  the  An  Pint  .J  a  i-        ^^^'^^ 
I  akes-Litrle  Turtle  apprised  of  his  ,.oveKt?s    e?:,;;"', J '^.^ 
Chief  determines  to  g.v>;  bait  e— Wayne  makes  one  morn  .fr„  .V     (lese.tei—  1  he 
of  the  attempt- Advance  of  Wayne  ^.th^Ranids-PosI*  o^  V ?.""  ^."""'-^'"^'"o 

Indian  council— The  hostiles  nT-nt  TtP  u.l.h  w  o^^  «o  prevent  a  peace— 

Wyandots-Division    n  thoTr  coSs-St  rltT.'^^ 7'°'''f  "r*^''''^-"^  '"  "'« 

•  io^y  from  the  Chiefs-The  distal anlnsror;:;ryt,h:wi;"'='-  '"''"^°- 

The  return  of  the  Commissioners  to  the  eastern  extremity  of 
Lake  Erie  was  immediate;  from  whence  both  the  -ovomment 
of  the  United  States  and  General  Wayne  were  apprised  of  the 
failure  of  the  negotiation,  for  which  such  long  and  anxious  pre-^ 
paration  had  been  made.     It  has  been  charged  that,  notwith 
standing  the  apparent  friendship  of  Governor  Simcoe  and  bis 
little  court  at  Niagara,  and  their  seeming  desire  of  peace  this 
unpropitious  result  was  measurably,  if  not  entirely,  produced  bv 
the  influence  of  the  British  officers  in  attendance  upon  the  In 
a.an  councils-Colonel  M'Kee,  Captain  Elliot,  and  the  noto- 
notus  Simon  Girty.     The  Rev.  Mi.  Heckewelder,  at  the  request 
of  General  Knox,  accompanied  the  Commissioners,  and  was 
present  at  the  delivery  of  the  last  message  from  the  council  re- 
lusing  an  interview,  which,  as  delivered,  both  in  matter  and 
manner  was  exceedingly  insolent.     Elliot  and  Girty  were  both 
present  whcu  this  message  was  delivered,  tiie  latter  of  whom 


f 


.  ■   n'* 


.  ^!t 


! 

if 


6.: 

••  > 


l"'^, 

:.!> 


:  ) 


' >  . 

••■■n  * 

;  "**  • 

■-t  (. 


358 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1793. 


supported  his  insolence  by  a  quill,  or  long  feather  run  throiitri- 
the  cartilage  of  his  nose  cross-wise.  He  was  the  iiiterpretor^'of 
the  message ;  and  Mr.  Heckewelder  states  that  he  officiously 
added  a  sentence  not  transmitted  from  the  council.  Two  Del.i- 
ware  chiefs,  visiting  the  Commissioners  from  the  council,  wliilo 
at  Detroit  River,  on  being  questioned  by  Mr.  Heckewelder  why 
the  Commissioners  were  not  allowed  to  proceed  to  their  quarters 
at  the  Rapids,  replied :— «  All  we  can  say  is,  that  we  wish  for 
"  peace  ;  but  we  cannot  speak  farther,  our  mouths  being  stopped 
"  up  when  we  left  the  council !"  In  other  words,  they  had  been 
forbidden  to  disclose  any  of  its  secrets.* 

These  circumstances,  from  the  pen  of  such  a  witness,  furnish 
strong  presumptive  testimony  of  duplicity  on  the  part  of  tfie  Ca- 
nadian administration.  But'  there  is  yet  other  evidence  of  the 
fact,  so  strong  as  to  be  indisputable.  It  is  that  of  Captain  Brant 
himself,  v/ho,  of  all  others,  participated  most  largely  in  the  de- 
liberations of  those  councils.  In  one  of  the  speeches  deliverecl 
by  him  in  the  course  of  his  land  difficulties  with  the  Canadian 
government,  some  lime  subsequent  to  the  war,  the  following  pas- 
sage occurs :—« For  several  years"  (after  the  peace  of  1783,) 
"  we  were  engaged  in  getting  a  confederacy  formed,  the 

"  unanimity  occasioned  by  these  endeavors  among  olu  .  .stern 
"  brethren,  enabled  them  to  defeat  two  American  armies.  Tlie 
«  war  continued  without  our  brothers,  the  English,  giving  any 
"  assistance,  excepting  a  little  ammunition  ;  and  they  secminc 
"  to  desire  that  a  peace  might  be  concluded,  we  tried  to  bring  it 
"  about  at  a  time  that  the  United  States  desired  it  very  much,  so 
"  that  they  sent  Commissioners  from  among  their  first  people  to 
"  endeavor  to  make  peace  with  the  hostile  Indians.  We  assem- 
"bled  also  for  that  purpose  at  the  Miami  River  in  the  Summer 
"  of  1793,  intending  to  act  as  mediators  in  bringing  about  an 
«  honorable  peace  ;  and  if  that  could  not  be  obtained,  we  re- 
"  solved  to  join  with  our  western  brethren  in  trying  the  fortune 
"of  war.  But  to  our  surprise,  when  on  the  point  of  enterino- 
'•■  upon  a  treaty  with  the  Commissioners,  we  found  that  it  was 
«  opposed  by  those  acting  under  the  British  government,  and 
"  hopes  of  farther  assistance  were  given  to  our  western  brethren, 

•  Ileckewclder's  Narrative  of  the  Moravian  Missions. 

t  In  another  portion  of  the  same  speech,  Captain  Brant  Ffatrd  that  General  Hal- 
dimand  exhoited  them  to  the  formation  of  that  union  with  the  different  nations. 


1793.] 


REPORT   OF   AN    INDIAN   DEPUTATION. 


,359 


The  de*putation  from  the  Six  Nations  nnri  fT.o  «         xr    • 

sid.ng  at  Buffalo  Creek,  to  hear  their  report     t  ^T^''^""  ''' 

for  their  own  peoole  b  ,t  fnr  tL     f  ^^P°«~"if«nded  not  only 

vu  people,  Dut  lor  the  information  of  the  Rrifi«h  ^Ja 

cedme,,t  will  be  seen,  was  characteristic  and  striking     tZ 
belts,  p.ct.ires,  and  emblems  used  by  the  several  nln^' 
sented  in  the  Grand  Council  at  the  J^amrR'nT        'T' 
warded  to  the  Six  Nation.  h,r  tK  T  T   ^    RaP'ds,  were  for- 
after  the  councH  Lxd  Sli^,     ,    '"^'  '/  ''''''  ^^P"*'-'  «»d 

ed,  and  the  spee^ v::;^^^^  ^.^^ry  ^7^  ^'^'"^■ 

paniod,  were  repeated,  in  the  form  nV  .  7     .        u    "  ""'"'"■ 

'  explanations.     By  thi    process  Z     ^  ^  ?°  '  '"'      '"'''^'''''' 

onheGra.^  coU^^:::^  ^^rst  C^f 

council,  with  as  much  accuracy  as  thouo-h  tlev  hJ^ 

r'it:;  ^-r— -  --^sr  ..r„™- 
The  cercirony  of  condolence  for  the  lo«  of  frl.„j.   ■ 
last  council,  having  been  re<rul„Hv  ZqZ.I     T       '"'"  ""= 
by  .11  the  tribe,  present,  ™dZ\rttsL°."?™°" 
b.™e.of  the  co'nneU  Iva,  Jle^^*  nf  E^"' Si^ 

.han.  the  Six  Nation,  for  their  attenl""' wri^^^-J^^^ 


%, 


m 


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LIFR    OF    BRANT. 


[1793. 


them  at  the  Great  Council-fire  which  had  beemkindlcd  some 
time  at  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami.* 

"  Brothers  :  You  are  acquainted  with  the  friendship  tliat 
once  suljsisted  between  you  and  our  flithers,  and  the  reason  that 
the  present  fire  is  kindled,  is  to  renew  that  friendship. 

"  Brothi^rs  :  We  mentioned  this  to  you  last  Fall  at  a  coun- 
cil at  the  Glaize,  and  we  now  repeat  it  to  put  you  in  miud  d 
that  friendship  which  once  subsisted  between  you  and  our  wise 
forefathers. 

[A  belt  of  white  wampum  was  here  presented,  made  in  a  cir- 
cular form,  representing  their  place  of  meeting-,  as  in  the  centre, 
and  crossed  by  four  stripes  of  black  wampum,  representing  all 
tlieir  confederates,  East,  West,  North,  and  South.] 

"Brothers:  The  ancient  confederacy  which  subsisted  be- 
tween us  and  the  Five  Nations,  t  was,  that  if  any  of  the  Five 
Nalions  were  in  distress,  we  would  take  them  to  us  ;  we  now 
see  that  you  are  in  distress  ;  that  you  are  surrounded  by  water, 
and  have  not  any  land  to  stand  upon  ;  that  a  large  white  beast 
stands  with  open  mouth  on  the  other  side,  ready  to  destroy  yon. 
We  have  dry  land  for  you  to  stand  on  ;  and  we  now  take  you  by 
the  hanJ,  and  invite  you  to  come,  and  bring  your  beds,  and  sit 
down  with  us."  [Belt  of  seven  roivs  of  black  and  tchiie  warn 
pum.] 

The  warriors  here  joined  with  the  Chiefs,  and  repeated  the 
ancient  agreement;  recommended  a  imion  of  all  the  diflferent  na- 
tions, and  iwiked  them  to  follow  what  was  recommended  by  the 
chiefs.  Puck-on-che-luh,  head  warrior  of  the  Delawares,!:  then 
spoke  : — 

"  Brothers  :  I  call  you  my  uncles,  and  all  the  other  Indians 
jny  grand-children.  Them  I  hpve  already  united  and  bound 
tosether,  and  I  now  bind  you  all  together  wiiii  this  strino-." 
I A  large  bunch  of  black  wampum.] 

*  In  order  to  nnrlerstnnd  the  rnport,  the  readfir  must  brar  in  mind  that  the  speech 
of  each  belt  is  delivered  l.y  thebearer  of  it,  as  though  he  were  in  fact  a  delegate  from 
the  nation  whose  report  he  is  making. 

t  In  answer  to  a  question  by  the  Seven  Nations  of  Canada,  how  long  this  con- 
federacy had  existed  between  the  Shawanesp,  &c.  the  reply  was,  "three  lives." 

I  After  the  defeat  of  St.  Clair,  o.i  which  oecasion  the  Delawares  fought  bravely, 
the  Mohawks,  who  had  formerly  declared  the  Delawares  to  \  ;  women,"or,  in  other 
words,  degraded  them  from  the  rank  of  warriors,  reversed  the  sentence'of  disgrace, 
and  wiped  out  thesUgma,  by  formally  declaring  the  Delawares  no  longer  toomelbu' 

MBN. 


'^bJ~  'l'''^'^'—  ,he„  .poke  .- 

all  their  gL-d^hMtrCelhrtH  '.".''"'''^^''''^'^''^d 
wi.h  grea,  respect  .o  Jir  ^c  L  .S  '  '  ""'',  ""^  'P°'™ 
be  of  one  mind."    u  InrZT   \      """'""^"M  (o  li.em  to 

Jl^l^yniots  .ten's  •-     °-"'"*  "'"^"•■J 

Nation,,  assembled  a.  aI  r  ^2  J""  °  r^"  ''"'"'  *^  Six 
'ecom,ne„ded  to  us  to  b  LnTald  :d  ?°'"'*'  «"'■  »"" 
any  bad  report,  or  any  thi„"X;  «?    u  ^i™''  "'  ""'  ">  "^■«"  "> 

"Brothers :  Listen 71  &  "■       """' °" ™"'^- 

you.  We  bear  the  V  r"ilnsr^r*  ™"'  '"^  "^  «»  ^V  •» 
■"==>  'tan ;  b„,  if  they  hould ?„""  "' '  ""  ''"'"  »<"  ?"  "> 
k«o.wbat.U,  betbeLt^'lLT  ™°"^  "^  ^  ^°  -" 

ii.  tht^s:::  Ci.^:  it  '"li^  **"  °'-  --p-™. 

end,  representing  the  Am  Cs  «  *!  ™.*"'j  """  ""<' "'  »«'=''' 
the  middle,  «nd  ftemselvra,  ?he 'r  "?'  "■"  ®''=  ^"^^  '" 
»™w  that  the  Americl"  tvert  ll^r '  ""'  "'"P"^  *«' 
opix-rtunityof  speaking  to  tta /*'"'"'''"■'"»  ^^  ^ 

tan  completed  as  weMld  wfsh  w  ""^ '""f'^  ■>■«  "»' 
Merant  nations  ,,bich  we  1^  en,  ^V'Tu^""'"^  ''''«*'« 
-  «.r  e.or«  to  brtng  ^^7^:^;^^:^:^ 

r^^SlZ^S^T^T"-'  ^epttties  fr„™ 
Michilimackinock,  thenl^^Tl      °*  *"  ''^^'  '^^  "'"ve 

-"a"tbrc::;]j:|;';,:^7^*»'-  tended  allSn™. 

ejected.  '   ""  ""^  ""'  ^"M  any  business  as  we 

>nd  "nor,VreT:„T;:,rs:u "",  r- "« ^'^^ «»-- 

•»>«"  onr  detenninalion  and  1       '  ""?  ''*  ""  "'■««'  S>«'<« 
vou  „.  """»».  and^retum  wuh  an  ans„e,  to  ns  b, 


^W 


%- 


U  ' 


y 


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» .. « 

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» 

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i,  , 

111 

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f 

i 

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i 

3' 

...   iN     * 


362  LIFE    OF   BRANT.  [1793. 

the  middle  of  winter,  and  not  stop,  as  some  nations  may  con- 
fuse you  and  make  your  minds  bad." 

To  which  the  Six  Nations  repUed  : — 

"  Brothers  :  We  thank  yon,  and  as  soon  as  we  get  to  our 
seats  we  will  kindle  our  council-fire,  and  call  Canadasago,  an 
agent,  appointed  by  the  United  States  to  meet  with  us,  and 
through  him  will  have  our  determination  communicated  to 
Consrress." 

The  Six  Nations  then,  addressing  General  Chapin  and  Colo- 
nel Butler,  said : — 

"  Brothers  :  We  have  now  made  known  to  you  our  pro- 
ceedings at  the  late  proposed  treaty  at  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami, 
and  have  informed  you  of  the  proposed  line  between  the  In- 
dians and  the  United  States,  which  if  accepted,  we  shall  assist 
the  white  people  to  make  peace." 

Captain  Brant  and  the  Mohawks  were  not  present  at  the 
council  on  the  8th,  a  circumstance  regretted  by  the  deputation 
in  making  their  report.  The  Farmer's  Brother  remarked  that 
Captain  Brant  would  be  able  to  give  fuller  explanations  than 
they  had  done  q{  the  proceedings  at  Miami,  and  the  determina- 
tion at  which  the  nations  there  assembled  had  arrived.  The 
Mohawk  having  arrived  on  the  9th,  the  council-fire  was  again 
raked  open,  when  Captain  Brant  thus  addressed  Colonel  But- 
ler the  British,  and  General  Chapin  the  American  Superintend- 
ant : — 

"  Brothers  :  You,  the  King,  our  father,  and  you,  our  bro- 
ther, the  United  States,  attend  to  what  we  have  to  say.  We 
will  now  explain  to  you  the  material  point  upon  which  we 
have  requested  your  attendance  at  this  council,  and  which  has 
not  been  fully  explained.  We  wish  to  act  openly,  that  the 
world  may  judge  of  our  proceedings. 

"  Brothers  :  It  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  what  passed  at  the 
great  council  at  the  Miami  Rapids,  as  we  know  that  you  are 
already  acquainted  therewith.  We  shall  therefore  point  out  the 
cause  of  our  parting  from  the  meeting  in  the  manner  we  did. 

"Brothers:  When  the  first  deputation  from  the  confede- 
rate Indians  met  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  States  at  Nia- 
gara, every  thing  seemed  to  promise  a  friendly  termination  of  the 
treaty  ;  but  before  their  return  to  the  council-fire  at  the  Rapids 
of  the  Miami,  .messengers  from  the  Creek  nation  arrived  there, 


1793.] 


SPEECH   AT   AN    INDIAN   COUNCIL. 


363 

wrn'°h°H '  '"'^T'''  '"^^^'^'-^^'^^  Of  the  White  people  havino 
encroached  upon  that  part  of  the  confederacy  ^ 

"  Th,s  intelligence  at  once  gave  a  change  to  the  face  of  our 
proceedings,   and.   probably,   was  the  sole   cause   of  the  Z 
mpt  termniation  of  the  negotiations  for  peace.     Thus  vou    ee 
that  ca.„,s  upon  our  lands  always  have  been,     nd  s^c  a 
timic  to  be,  the  cause  of  war.  ^^  s>uu  con- 

"  Brothers  :  About  five  years  ago  we  agreed  upon  a  line 
of  demarcation  with  the  United  States,  which%ou  know  to  be 
the  Muskingum ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  various  acciLts 
that  have  since  occurred,  we  will  still  adhere  to  thafbo     '  "y    . 
"BROTn.Hs  :  We  think  the  United  States  will  acrree  to  t  L 
ne.  which  will  show  the  sincerity  and  justice  they  aCay^; r" 
ess  for    he  Indians ;  should  they  agree  to  this,  we  ZereTv 
hope  tha    peace  will  still  take  place,  and  we  think  that  thi 
weight  of  our  branch  of  the  confederacy  will  be  able    o  ac  om 
plish  peace  upon  the  reasonable  line  we  have  ius    mennnnT 
and  we  shall   be  exceeding  sorry  to  find  t^rt  r^aj 
shou  d  not  be  generally  accepted  by  the  confederacy   ^  H t  i 
rejected,  we  must  be  involved  in  difficulties  in  our  own  co  n  try 
"Brothers  :  We  will  now  proceed  to  explain  the  line  upon 
which  we  hope  peace  will  be  made.     We  know  that  thp  i  T 
along  the  Ohio  are  claimed  by  the  Indians  but  t\Xo::t 
give  up  such  part  of  these  lands  as  are  actually  settleTand  im! 
proved,  which  settlements  are  to  be  circumscribed  bj   a  H^e 
drawn  around  them,  and  no  farther  claims  are  to  be  admitted  be 
yond  such  line.     The  remainder  of  the  boundary  Tee, 
plamed  by  General  Chapin.  for  which  purpose  it  is  the  general 
wish  of  the  Six  Nations  that  General  Chapin.  himself  win  nr. 

Agreeably  to  this  request.  General  Chapin  proceeded  to  th^ 
seat  of  government,  to  submit  their  speech  to  the  Presfdent^d 
make  the  necessary  explanations.    The  SecretLv  of  w 
Phed  on  the  24th  of  December,  reitera^rrdeL^:;  the" 
Waited  States  to  cultivate  relations  of  friendship  w  th  the    n 

Uptain  Brant,  and  proposing  another  Indian  Council  in  thi 

pnng,  to  be  held  at  Venango.     But  in  t>ie  event  of  the  ndians 

hostUe  or  otherwise,  agreeing  to  meet  i„  such  council    ^ 


» 


364 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1794. 


I- 1  '   H 


ii 


!.».t. 


••MM 


wero  distinctly  told  thnt  the  army  would  not  in  the  mean  time 
bo  it!Striiined  (icuj  hostile  operntions,  as  had  b<!en  the  case  the 
preceding  season.  Farther  to  secure  the  good-will  of  the 
Six  Nations,  however,  a  supply  of  warm  winter  clothing  was 
sent  to  lh(!m,  with  the  letter  from  the  Secretary  contiiiii- 
ini,'  th(!  President's  decision,  which  was  delivered,  and  well  ro- 
coivcd  at  a  council  holdcn  at  Buffalo  Creek  on  the  7th  o( 
Fehrnrary,  1794.  This  council  had  been  convened  expressly 
to  receiver  the  answer  to  *'  proposals  of  Captain  Brant ;  and 
the  same  having  been  read,  it  was  soon  perceived  to  be  less  nc- 
ceptahlo  to  the  Indians  than  they  had  anticipated.  Red  Jacket, 
aflor  a  long  pause,  replied  to  General  Chapin : — 

"BiurniKiiH  (of  the  United  States:)  We  have  heard  the, 
speech  that  has  been  delivered  to  us  with  great  attention,  and 
shall  now  remove  the  council-fire  to  our  castle,  to  take  it  into 
private  consideration. 

Two  days  afterward,  the  council  was  re-opened,  when  Rod 
Jacket  spoke : — 

"  BttOTHKRs  :  We  have  taken  your  speech  into  consideration, 
and  our  eldest  brother.  Captain  Brant,  is  to  relate  the  result  of 
our  meeting  in  private  council  yesterday." 

Captain  Brunt  then  spoke  as  follows,  with  nine  strings  of 
white  and  black  wampum : — 

"  Brothkus  :  I  now  address  to  you.  General  Chapin  of  the 
United  States,  and  to  you.  Major  Littlehales*  in  behalf  of  the 
King,  and  thank  the  Great  Spirit  for  bringing  us  again  together 
in  council,  as  what  we  are  a  going  to  relate  we  wish  the  world 
to  know. 

"  Brothers  :  You  have  both  heard  the  message  we  delivered 
to  our  brothers  of  the  United  States,  last  Fall,  relative  to  a 
boundary  line ;  and  we  expected  a  positive  answer  from  yon, 
brothers  of  the  United  States,  whether  you  would  accept  of  it 
or  not. 

"  Brothers  :  When  we  delivered  the  message  to  you  lact 
Fall  for  the  United  States,  we  had  first  taken  it  into  serious 
consideration ;  we  spoke  the  language  of  our  hearts,  and  the 
Great  Spirit  knew  our  minds ;  all  the  Six  Nations  were  of  tho 
some  opinion,  and  we  are  well  assured  that,  had  the  United 


*  PrivBto  Socrctaiy  of  Governor  Simcoe,  attending  the  council  in  his  absence. 


1794.J 


SPEKCn    IN   COUNCIL. 


366 


ex^^od  a  direct  anLwor  o  ou    pi':  I  '^JT  '?  ""  ■  ^ 

-  auswor;  .he  l<f "„       .St'^rf'';  "  ',""""' 
wha.woareno.prep,.rJ,ogrr:l;;;.:'  "  '"^'™'  "'"»  « 

BiioTHKRs  :  Provided  the  llnitof}  «».*  '   i    i 
proposed  boundary  Jiue    Je  sho    d  h  "^  "'''P'*^^  ""^ 

our  Western  brethren  who  Lnt  ''"'  immediately  to 

i-attendedyon:::;:^at^-::r"^^^ 

ate  very  seriously  upon  t     w.  .       T      """^  '''"^  '°  ^«''^^' 

a..ver^.e.usrhraX,  :r^^^^^^^^ 

afe^v  arc  now  present,  and  we  shouW  n  i  L         u    ''  ""'^ 

S:irifdS;e.X:£ii~^^^^ 

both  parties.  ^  terminate  to  the  happmess  of 

give  o„e  immediate  ;;^S'rd  ?oT°"'"  '\''"'^'"'' '<> 
in  your  country ;  and  if  «  sh3       '^7'"°"'  ""^  '^  P'^'^ 

not  be  particula  oZZuvTaZT  ""^^  '■°'''  i'""  "^^ 
expect  any  thing  but  proviA"  """""''  *"  "'  *"»  ««' 

spL'rprortvraafeir'"';'""'.  ^°  "'-^ '"» «-« 

couircU  at  Venango,  ,t  was  the  opinion  of  Genial 


i 


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li 


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"•>.«,   "-1 


366 


LTPE   OP   BRANT. 


1794. 


Chnpin,  nt  the  close  of  these  proceedings,  that  tfiey  would  yet 
accede  to  it.     Circumstances,  liowever,  arose  during  the  interven- 
ing period,  which  niatcrially  changed  tiie  aspect  of  the  liordcr 
relations  of  the   United  States,  and  the  tone  and  temper  of  the 
Six  Nations.     The  protracted  and  sanguinary  wars  hctween 
England  and  the  French  llepuhlic  had  then  commenced,  as  also 
had  the  invasions  of  the  rights  of  neutrals  by  those  powers,  so 
frequent  and  so  aggravated  during  that  furious  contest.     In  or- 
der to  cut  off  the  supplies  of  broad  stuffs  from  F'rance,  Great 
Britain  had  resorted  to  the  strong  and  questionable  measurp  of 
stopping  all  vessels  loaded  in  whole  or  in  part  with  corn,  flour, 
or  meal,  bound  to  any  port  in   France,  and  sending  them  in  to 
the  most  convenient  ports,  where  their  cargo  .s  were  to  be  pur- 
chased for  his  Majesty's  service,  at  a  fair  value,  after  making  a 
due  allowance  for  freight,  &.C.     The  British  government  labored 
to  justify  this  measure  by  citations  from  some  modern  writers 
upon  national  law,  but  it  was  nevertheless  esteemed  a  violation 
of  neutral  rights,  and  produced  much  feeling  among  the  Ameri- 
can people,  and  strong  remonstrances  from  the  government. 
The  assumption  set  up  by  Great  Britain,  of  the  right  of  im- 
pressing seamen,  British  subjects,  from  neutral  vessels,  by  the 
exercise  of  which  it  was  asserted  that  many  American  seamen 
had  been  seized,  and  carried  forcibly  into  foreign  ser'.i^,,  was 
now  producing  farther  and  still  greater  irritation.     Added  to  all 
which  were  the  incendiary  machinations  of  Citizen  Genet  to 
urxderniine  the  administration  of  'Vashington,  alienate  from  his 
government  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  involve  the  United 
States  in  a  war  with  Great  Britain.     Party  spirit  was  already 
running  high,  and  from  the  blind  zeal  with  which  the  anti-fede- 
ralists had   espoused  the   cause  of  revolutionary  France    as 
against  England,  very  serious  apprehensions  were  entertained 
that  another  war  between  the  latter  power  and  the  United  States 
would  be  the  result. 

One  of  the  consequences  of  the  apparent  probability  of  such 
an  event,  was  a  manifest  change  of  temper  on  the  part  of  the 
British  officers  in  the  Canadas,  and  at  the  posts  yet  in  British 
occupancy  along  the  north-western  frontier  of  the  United  States. 
That  during  the  whole  controversy  between  the  Indians  and 
the  United  States,  from  1786  to  the  defeat  of  St,  Claii,  the 
former  had  been  countenanced  and  encouraged  by  Ensflish 


1791.] 


VSVlKtt  8TA-n:8    AND   EXar,AND. 


I*r 


867 


E.,\ma  at  the  closo  of  tl  c  yet  ir "     '  f''?'  '°  '^  ''^''  "^ 
Indians,  of  a  cor,n,l,.xin     .  ^i  k        '^"'  '^  '''^^'^^i  ^  th» 

t'mt  in  the  sZr  oh       '''';"''  ""^^  " '"- l-en  sec, 

«  «r,  ,/,e  l„d    ,,  w^„r   ''"'""  P"""''^""""-     In  Iho  even,  of 
.1..  »rms  or  ,     M,  ™  '''fof "'  "°  ""'"''  ""'■''"<'  """"Ties  ,„ 

"po" ".« f «i  *:.:  i  „  ■  ;r;::;::^^  ^°""'  '•"•-' 

tories  thoy  miirht  imin      u  ,  *">  unportant  vic- 

made-  a  visit  to     o  nr^  f 'T  r"^""'  °'  ''^'^  ^'^^^^  '^"'-^^^;  had 
over  St  CI  ir  (h   M  ^°''""  '^'''""^•^'  ^^'^^  ''>«  victory 

he  could.  i:h,u;;r;T:r'r^"r  "^"  ^'^  ^^^^  ^"^'-  ^-c:! 

Lord  Dorchctor    ad  n  ?'  Proseeutica  of  the  war. 

waited  npontT,tdanTonrf  '"S  England,  and  w.. 

of  the  procodiMjf  Autumn      T.??  "'^  M.ami  council 

procure  couutonanoo  o    „      .        "^''''  '"''*'  '^  ^^'^  advice,  or 

for  which  tCd  hi       ?"''''"  ''"'"^^«  the  bound  ry 
,    muy  una  been  so  louff  contendno-     tj;„  r      ,  .  • 

answered  the  d..pu,atio,i  on  the  lO^h  o^  Fe  w"n  I^^^^^^ 
respectu.nr  tho  u„it,j  g  ^  °^  l"    r  ^'  "^"^"'' 

After  referring  to  the  nrorppHn       f       ^^"•^•''^'ory  or  pacific, 
held  at  (W    ZLTt^   -^ 

years  befc^,a,idthorr  ■''  '^'P""'"^^  ^^^  Europe,  two 

oi  a  hope  th^lfe    ,  ouid?'"  '"  ^K^P^^^  orx  that  occLion, 
justmen;  of  the     d  ^  u  -  ^^        "^  "  satisfactory  ad- 

ship  proceeded  ;i''^'"^  ''''  ^^^^^^  S^-^««.  his  Lord- 

that  I  should  have  b    u  ab^  J?'  "'""''  '^^  ^'^"  =  '  ^^^P^^ 
Kou  friends.  ^^''  ^"^  ''""^  y°"  ^^g^^^her,  and  make 


r 


■•'»«»        Ml 


> 


;^ 


368 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1794. 


"  Children  :  I  have  waited  long,  and  listened  with  great 
attention,  but  1  have  not  heard  one  word  from  them. 

"Children:  I  flattered  myself  with  the  hope  that  the  line 
proposed  in  the  year  eighty-three,  to  separate  us  from  the  Unit- 
ed States,  which  loas  immediately  broken  by  themselves  as 
soon  as  the  peace  was  signed,  would  have  been  mended,  or  a 
new  one  drawn,  in  an  amicable  manner.  Here,  also,  1  have  been 
disappointed. 

"  Children  :  Since  my  return,  I  find  no  appearance  of  a 
line  remains  ;  and  from  the  manner  in  which  the  people  of  the 
United  States  rush  on,  and  act,  and  talk,  on  this  side ;  and  from 
what  I  learn  of  their  conduct  toward  the  sea,  I  shall  not  be 
surprised  if  we  are  at  war  with  them  m  the  course  of  the  pre- 
sent year  ;  and  if  so,  a  line  must  then  be  drawn  by  the  warriors. 

"  Children  :  You  talk  of  selling  your  lands  to  the  State  of 
New- York.*  I  have  told  you  that  there  is  no  line  between 
them  and  us..  I  shall  acknowledge  no  lands  to  be  their's  which 
have  been  encroached  on  by  them  since  the  year  1783.  They 
then  broke  the  peace,  and  as  they  kept  it  not  on  their  part,  it 
doth  not  bind  on  our's. 

"Children:  They  then  destroyed  their  right  of  pre-emp- 
tion. Therefore  all  their  approaches  toward  us  since  that  time, 
and  all  the  purchases  made  by  them,  I  consider  as  an  infringe- 
ment on  the  King's  rights.  And  when  a  line  is  drawn  between 
us,  be  it  in  peace  or  war,  they  must  lose  all  their  improvements 
and  houses  on  our  side  of  it.  Those  people  must  all  be  gone 
who  do  not  obtain  leave  to  become  the  King's  subjects.  What 
belongs  to  the  Indians  will,  of  course,  be  secured  and  confirm- 
ed to  them. 

"  Children  :  What  farther  can  I  say  to  you?  You  are  wit- 
nesses that  on  our  parts  we  have  acted  in  the  most  peaceable 
manner,  and  borne  the  language  and  conduct  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States  with  patieilce.  But  I  believe  our  patience  is 
almost  exhausted."! 


♦  The  Caughnawaga  Indians,  residing  near  Montreal,  were  about  this  time  in 
treaty  with  Governor  George  Clinton  for  the  sale  of  some  of  their  lands  lying  with- 
in the  boundaries  of  the  state  of  New- York.  The  late  Egbert  Benson  was  a  Com- 
miasioner  on  the  part  of  the  State. 

t  The  authenticity  of  this  speech  of  Lord  Dorchester  is  denied  by  Chief  Justice 
Marshall,  and  Mr.  Sparks,  in  his  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Wasliinaton,  notes 
that  denial  without  dissent.    Hence  it  has  been  received  as  spurious,  and  Lord 


S«f  Iniian  Slate  Papet 


'p 


1794.J 


CONDUCT  OF  LORD  KOnCHESTBR. 


369 


There  could  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  effect  of  such  an  address 
upon  the  warhke  tribes  of  the  upper  lakes,  chafed,  as  they  were 
by  what  they  really  believed  to  be  wrongs,  and  by  the  presence 
of  a  hostile  army  in  the  heart  of  their  own  country— buoyed  up 
iti  their  spirits,  moreover,  by  the  complete  success  which  had 
crowned  their  arms  in  the  two  preceding  campaigns.     But  the 
Governor  General  did  not  here  cease  his  exertions  to  keep  the 
Indians,  the  Six  Nations  not  excepted,  on  the  qui  vive  of  the 
war  feeling.    Soon  after  tho  close  of  the  council  H  Buffalo  in 
the  same  month,  his  Lordship  transmitted  an     .fiammatory 
speech  to  those  tribes,  which  was  interpreted  to  them  by  Colo- 
nel Butler,  and  produced  an  obvious  and  decided  chan<re  in 
their  feelings  toward  the  United  States.     Large  presents  were 
likewise  sent  up  from  Quebec,  and  distributed  among  them 
and  the  British  officers  in  the  Indian  Department  took  pains,  on 
all  occasions,  to  represent  to  them  that  a  war  between  the  two 
nations  was  inevitable.*    Such  was  doubtless  their  opinion  for 
with  the  arrival  of  Lord  Dorchester's  .speech,  early  in  April 
Governor  Simcoe  repaired  over-land  to  Detroit,  and  with  a 
strong  detachment  of  troops  proceeded  to  the  foot  of  the  Miami 
Rapids,  and  commenced  the  erection  of  a  fortress  at  that  place 

Dorchester,  with  his  aovernment,  has  c.e.ped  the  respons.bility  of  havin.  uttered 

Wash.ng  on  by  Governor  Ch„ton,  who  did  not  doubt  its  genuineness.    Neither  did 
the  President ;  smce,  m  h.s  letter  to  Governor  Chnton  acknowle,|..in..  its  receiot  he 
states  h.s  reasons  at  large  for  dissenting  from  the  opinions  of  tirose^ho  wore  pro- 
clannmg  .t  to  be  spurious     On  the  contrary,  he  declared  that  he  entertained  "  not  a 
doubt  of  .ts  a«thent,c.ty."    Equally  strong  was  he  in  the  opinion,  that  in  maki ,' 
such  a  speech  Lord  Dorchester  had  spoken  the  sentiments  of  the  British  "  binet" 
accordmgtoh.smstructions.    [See  LelUr  of  President   Washington  to   Gavemor 
CunUn,  Marck  31,  1794.]    On  the  20th  of  May  the  attention  of  the  Brit.sh  Minis- 
ter, Mr.  Hammond,  was  called  to  the  subject  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  Edmund 
Randolph  who  remonstrated  strongly,  not  only  against  the  speech,  but  against  the 
conduct  of  Governor  S.mcoe,  who  was  then  engaged  in  measures  of  a  ho;tile  cha. 
meter.    Mr  Hammond  replied  on  the  22d  of  May  rather  tartly ;  and,  what  renders 
he  denm  of  the  speech  by  Marshall  and  Sparks  the  more  singular,  i    the  act  th 
haBrUis    Mm.,ersaidm  that  letter,-"!  am  willing  to  admit  th^  authentSty  o 
the  speech."     [See  T.  B.   Wait  ^  Sons'  Edition  of  American  State  Paper,  Vol  I 
paj«  449-453.]    But  if  doubt  has  existed  before,  as  to  the  genuine  char'acter"  „f 
tht  document,  ,t  shall  no  longer  esist.     I  have  myself  transcribed  the  preceding 
extracts  from  a  cerUfied  manuscript  copy,  discovered  among  the  papers  of  Joseph 
Urant  in  my  possession.— ./?i(/Aor.  ^ 

<!«  f  j'    e,  .    „'      '"  '^'""'  '-"»H'«  '"  ihc  aecretary  of  War,  Apnl  Hd,  1794. 
^'(  Mia7i  State  Papers— p.  ^0.  i  »•«• 


■1 

'  i 

,.T 

• 

■<t 

■  <i 


■••» 

f 

^ 

f 

di 

ii 

.     ir' 


•'fMM        *• 


it"*    *" 

""»•         <M| 

P  *  »•  •        ** 


370 


LTI<"K   OF   BUAWT. 


[1794. 


:;» 


This  moveinout  nuisetl  fresh  irritntion  among  the  American  peo- 
ple, since  tlie  retciUioii  of  the  old  posts  had  been  a  continual 
source  of  dissatisfaction,  although  the  non-fulfilment  of  a  7>or- 
tion  of  the  treaty  of  poaco  by  the  United  States  still  furnished 
the  pretext  for  such  occupiincy.  But  the  movement  of  Gover- 
nor Simcoe  into  the  Miami  country,  and  the  erection  of  a  for- 
tress there — the  territory  boiiig  clearly  within  the  boundaries  of 
the  United  States— awakonod  yetstronger  feelings  of  indignation 
in  the  bosom  of  tho  President.  Mr.  Jay  was  at  that  time  the 
American  minister  near  tho  Court  of  St.  James,  and  the  Presi- 
dent gave  vent  to  his  foolillgs  in  a  private  letter  to  that  functiona- 
ry, in  the  most  decided  tor^ns  of  reprobation.  "  Can  that  go- 
vernment," asked  tho  President  in  the  letter  to  Mr.  Jay,  "  or  will 
"  it  attempt,  after  this  oflicial  act  of  one  of  their  Governors,  to 
"  hold  out  ideas  of  friendly  intentions  toward  the  United  States, 
"  and  suffer  such  conduct  to  pass  with  impunity  ?  This  may  be 
"  considered  as  the  most  open  and  daring  act  of  the  British 
"  agents  in  America,  though  it  is  not  the  most  hostile  or  cruel ; 
"for  there  does  not  remain  u  doubt  in  the  mind  of  any  well-in- 
"  formed  person  in  this  country,  not  shut  against  conviction, 
"  that  all  the  difficulties  wo  encounter  with  the  Indians — their 
"  hostilities,  the  murders  of  holplqss  women  and  innocent  chil- 
"  dren  along  our  frontiers—result  from  the  conduct  of  the  agents 
"of  Great  Britain  in  this  country.  In  vain  is  it,  then,  for  itsad- 
*' ministration  in  Britain  to  disavow  having  given  orders  which 
"  will  warrant  such  coiubict,  whilst  their  agents  go  unpunished ; 
"  whilst  we  have  a  tliousand  corroborating  circumstances,  and 
"indee"  almost  as  many  evidences,  some  of  which  cannot  be 
"  brought  forward,  to  know  that  they  are  seducing  from  our 
"  alliance,  and  endeavoring  to  remove  over  the  line,  tribes  that 
"  have  hitherto  been  kept  in  peace  and  friendship  with  us  at  a 
"  heavy  expense,  and  who  have  no  causes  of  complaint,  except 
«  pretended  ones  of  their  creating ;  whilst  they  keep  in  a  state  of 
"  irritation  the  tribes  who  aro  hostile  to  us,  and  are  instigating 
"  those  who  know  little  of  us  or  we  of  them,  to  unite  in  the 
"  war  against  us ;  and  wliilst  it  is  an  undeniable  fact  that  they 
"  are  furnishing  the  whole  with  arms,  ammunition,  clothing,  and 
"  even  provisions,  to  curry  on  the  war ;  I  might  go  farther,  and 
"  if  they  are  not  much  belied,  odd  men  also  in  disguise." 
It  was  under  these  altered  circumstances  that  General  Chapin 


1794.] 


ANOTHER    INDIAN   COUNCIL. 


371 


met  the  Six  Nations  again  in  council  on  the  21st  of  April  to 
receive  Iheir  reply  to  the  communication  from  the  Secretary  of 
War,  General  Knox,  proposing  the  holding  of  another  treaty  at 
Venango,  as  heretofore  mentioned.  The  proceedings  were 
opened  by  the  Onondaga  chief,  Clear  Sky,  who  addressed  the 
Superintendents  as  follows  ; 

"General  Chapin  :  We  are  happy  to  see  that  you  are  ar- 
nved  safe  at  our  council -fire,  ar^i  that  you  have  been  preserved 
by  the  Great  Spirit  in  good  health : 

"Colonel  Butler  :  We  are  also  very  happy  to  see  you  at 
our  council-fire,  as  representing  the  King." 

Captain  Brant  thereupon  rose,  and  addressed  the  two  SuDer- 
intendents  as  follows  : ^ 

"Brothers:  You  of  the  United  States  listen  to  what  we 
are  going  to  say  to  you  ;  you,  likewise,'  the  King 

"  Brothers  :  We  are  very  happy  to  see  you,  Colonel  Butler 
and  General  Chapin,  sitting  side  by  side,  with  the  intent  of 
hearing  what  we  have  to  say.  We  wish  to  do  no  business  but 
what  is  open  and  above-board." 

Then  addressing  himself  exclusively  to  General  Chapin  he 
proceeded : —  ^    ' 

"  Brother  :  You,  of  the  United  States,  make  your  mind 
easy,  on  account  of  the  long  time  your  President's  speech  has 
been  under  our  consideration  ;  when  we  received  it,  we  told 
you  It  was  a  business  of  importance,  and  required  time  to  be 
considered  of.  x  «  i«^ 

"Brother:  The  answer  you  have  brought  us  is  not  accord- 
ing to  what  we  expected,  which  was  the  reason  of  our  lono-  de- 
lay;  the  business  would  have  been  done  with  expedition,"had 
he  Uni  ed  States  agreed  to  our  proposal.  We  would  then 
liave  collected  our  associates,  and  repaired  to  Venango,  the  place 
you  proposed  for  meeting  us.  ,  ^  ^ 

"  Brother  :  It  is  not  now  in  our  power  to  accept  your  invi- 
tation ;  provided  we  were  to  go,  you  would  conduct  the  busi- 
ess  as  you  might  think  proper;  this  has  been  the  case  at  all 
the  treaties  held,  from  time  to  tim^,  by  your  Cotnmissioners. 

Brother:  At  the  first  treaty  after  the  ■inclusion  of  the 
war  between  you  and  Great  Britain,  at  IW,  Stanwix,  your 
Corn,™ssioners  conducted  the  business  as  it  to  them  seemed 
best :  they  pomted  out  a  line  of  division,  and  then  confirmed  it  • 


*f' 


Pi 
% 


. '  M* 


IS''"     ** 


11 


372 


LfFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1794. 


after  this  they  held  out  that  our  country  was  ceded  to  them  by 
the  King ;  this  confused  the  Chiefs  who  attended  there,  ond 
prevented  them  from  making  any  reply  to  the  contraiy  ;  stil'i 
holding  out,  if  we  did  not  consent  to  it,  that  their  warriors  were 
at  their  back,  and  that  we  could  get  no  farther  protection  from 
Great  Britain.  This  has  ever  been  held  out  to  us  by  the  Com- 
missioners from  Congress  ;  at  all  the  treaties  held  with  us  since 
the  peace,  at  Fort  M'lhtosh,  at  J[locky  River,  and  every  other 
meeting  held,  the  idea  was  still  the  same. 

"  Brother  :  This  has  been  the  case  from  time  to  time. 
Peace  has  not  taken  place,  because  you  have  held  up  these 
ideas,  owing  to  which  mu(4h  mischief  has  been  done  to  the 
southward. 

"  Brother  :  We,  the  Six  Nations,  have  been  exerting  our- 
selves to  keep  peace  since  the  conclusion  of  the  war  ;  we  think 
it  would  be  best  for  both  parties ;  we  advised  the  confederate  na- 
tions to  request  a  meeting,  about  half  way  between  us  and  the 
United  States,  in  order  that  such  steps  might  be  taken  as  would 
bring  about  a  peace  ;  this  request  was  there  proposed  by  us,  and 
refused  by  Governor  St.  Clair,  one  of  your  Commissioners. 
The  Wyandots,  a  (ew  Delawares,  and  some  others,  met  the 
Commissioners,  though  not  authorized,  and  confirmed  the  lines 
of  what  was  not  their  property,  but  common  to  all  nations. 

"  Brother  :  This  idea  we  all  entertained  at  our  council  at 
Lower  Sandusky,  held  for  the  purpose  of  forming  our  confederacy, 
and  to  adopt  measur'^s  that  would  be  for  the  general  welfare  of  our 
Indian  nations,  or  people  of  our  color ;  owing  to  these  steps 
taken  by  us,  the  United  States  held  out,  that  when  we  went  to 
the  westward  to  transact  our  private  business,  that  we  went 
with  the  intention  of  taking  an  active  part  in  the  troubles  sub- 
sisting between  them  and  our  western  brethren  ;  this  never  has 
been  the  case.  We  have  ever  wished  for  the  friendship  of  the 
United  States. 

"  Brother  :  We  think  you  must  be  fully  convinced,  from 
our  perseverance  last  summer,  as  your  Commissioners  saw,  that 
we  were  anxious'  for  a  peace  between  you.  The  exertions  that 
we,  the  Six  Nations,  have  made  toward  the  accomplishing  this 
desirable  end,  is  the  cause  of  C\c  western  nations  being  some- 
what dubious  as  to  our  sincerity.  After  we  knew  their  doubts, 
we  still  persevered ;  and,  last  Fail,  we  pointed  out  methods  to 


1 794.] 


SPEECH    IN   COUNCIL. 


373 


be  taken  and  sent  them,  by  you  to  Cor.gress  ;  this  we  certainly 
expected  would  have  proved  satisfactory  to  the  United  States 
m  that  case  we  should  have  more  than  ever  exerted  ourselves' 
m  order  that  the  offers  we  made  should  be  confirmed  by  our 
confederacy,  and  by  them  strictly  to  be  adhered  to 

"Brother:  Our  proposals  have  not  met  with  the  success 
from  Congress  that  we  expected  ;  this  still  leaves  us  in  a  simi- 
lar situation  to  what  we  were  in  when  we  first  entered  on  the  bu- 
siness. 

«  Brother  :  You  must  recollect  the  number  of  chiefs  who 
have  at  divers  times,  waited  on  Congress;  they  have  pointed 
out  the  means  to  be  taken,  and  held  out  the  same  lan-uao-e  uni- 
ormly,  at  one  time  as  another  ;  that  was,  if  you  w°ould  with- 
dravv  your  claim  to  the  boundary  line  and  lands  within  the  line 
asofleredbyus;  had  this -been  done,  peace  would  have  taken 
place,  and  unless  this  still  be  done,  we  see  no  other  method  ot 
accomplishing  it. 

"Brother:  We  have  borne  everything  patiently  for  this 
long  time  pa^t ;  we  have  done  every  thing  we  could  consistently 
do  with  the  welfare  ofour  nations  in  general,  notwithstandincr 
the  many  advantages  that  have  been  taken  of  us  by  individuals 
making  purchases  of  us,  the  Six  Nations,  whose  fraudulent  con- 
duct towards  us  Congress  never  has  taken  notice  of,  nor  in  any 
wise  seen  us  rectified,  nor  made  our  minds  easy.     This  is  the 
case  to  the  present  day ;  our  patience  is  now  entirely  worn  out  • 
you  see  the  difficulties  we  labor  under,  so  that  we  cannot,  at  pre- 
sent, rise  from  our  seats  and  attend  your  council  at  Venan-o 
agreeable  to  your  invitation.     The  boundary  line  we  pointed 
outwethmk  is  a  just  one,  although  the  United  States  claim 
ands  west  of  that  line ;  the  trifle  that  has  been  paid  by  the 
United  States  can  be  no  object  in  comparison  to  what  a  peace 
would  be.  ^ 

"Brother  :  We  are  of  the  same  opinion  with  the  people  of 
the  United  States ;  you  consider  yourselves  as  independent  peo- 
pie;  we  as  the  original  inhabitants  of  this  country  and  sove- 
reigns of  the  soil,  look  upon  ourselves  as  equally  independent, 
and  free  as  any  other  nations.  This  country  was  given  to  us 
by  the  Great  Spirit  above  ;  we  wish  to  enjoy  it,  and  have  our 
passage  along  the  lake  within  the  line  we  have  pointed  out. 

^.Cij,  r-^^xvitiouo  \vc  have  made,  for  tins  nam- 


• 

1*111 

1. , , 

IJf 

''■"■ 

l-flrm      ••• 


■rfoli       «,t 


'  •  rb  »        ail 


■•f :  f 


i 


i! 


•w 


-•«■« 


374 


I^IFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1794 


ber  of  years,  to  nccomplisli  n  peace,  have  not  been  nbln  to  obtain 
it ;  our  patience,  as  we  have  already  observed,  is  exhanstod,  and 
we  are  discouraged  from  persevering  any  longer.  We  there- 
fore  throw  ourselves  under  the  protection  of  the  Great  Si)iiit 
above,  who,  we  hope,  will  order  all  things  for  the  best.  Wo 
have  told  you  our  patience  is  worn  out ;  but  not  so  ftir  but  tli.it 
we  wish  for  peace,  and,  whenever  we  hear  that  pleasing  sound, 
we  shall  pay  attention  to  it."  [The  belt  and  speech  sent  by 
General  Knox  were  then  returned  to  General  Chapin.] 

Thus  was  extinguished  the  hope  of  a  council  of  pacification 
at  Venango :  and  not  only  that,  but  the  altered  temper  of  the  Six 
Nations  seemed  to  threaten  an  augmentation  of  the  hostile  hi- 
dian  power  at  the  west,  by  the  desertion  to  their  cause  of  the 
whole  of  the    Iroquois   Confederacy,  under   a   leader  whose 
prowess  and  wisdom  had  both  often  been  tested.     In  the  mean 
time  all  the  accounts  from  the  west  concurred  in  the  fact,  that 
the  distant  tribes  were  gathering  for  a  renewal  of  the  conflict- 
encouraged  as  they  were  by  promises  of  strong  assistance  from 
the  English.     The  traders  and  the  "  mixed  multitude  "  con- 
stituting the  refugees  and  parti-colored  inhabitants  of  Detroit, 
were  doubtless  active  in  promoting  these  hostilities,  and  very 
probably  made  promises  to  the  credulous  Chiefs  as  coming  from 
Governor  Simcoe,  of  which  he  himself  was  ignorant.     Two 
Pottawattamies  were  taken  prisoners  on  the  5lh  of  June  by  the 
troops  of  General  Wayne,  who  made  a  variety  of  disclosures 
upon  this  subject.     They  represented,  and  intelligence  to  that 
effect  was  dispatched  to  the  interior  tribes  by  their  Chiefs,  that 
Governor  Simcoe  was  to  march  to  their  assistance  with  fifteen 
hundred  men.     He  was  giving  them  clothing  and  all  necessary 
supplies,  and  "all  the  speeches  received  from  him  were  red  as 
"  blood.     All  the  wampum  and  feathers  were  painted  red  ;  the 
"  war-pipes  and  hatchets  were  red  ;  and  even  the  tobacco  was 
"  painted  red."    Several  Shawanese  prisoners,  however,  were 
soon  afterward  captured,  who  were  less  confident  of  English  as- 
sistance.    They  said  "  they  could  not  depend  upon  the  British 
"  for  effectual  support ;  that  they  were  always  setting  the  In- 
"  dians  on  like  dogs  after  game,  pressing  them  to  go  to  war  and 
"  kill  the  Americans,  but  did  not  help  them." 

Another  influence  was  brought  to  bear  upon  the  Indians  of 
the  west  at  this  conjuncture,  from  a  most  unexpected  quarter. 


going  to  make.' 


1794.] 


A   STRANGE    INTERVENTION. 


376 

It  «'as  the  arriv.al  at  the  Miamis  Rapids,  early  in  May,of  amos- 
scuger  from  the  Spanish  settlements  on  the  Mississippi  charged 
wuh  a  spirited  war-speech  to  the  eonfederacy.  This  mes  en'i^or 
was  conducted  to  the  Miamis  by  a  deputatL  fromThDd  ! 
wares,  who  had  emigrated  beyond  the  Mississippi  four  years  p  e- 
vious.     Ho  admonished  the  confederates  of\he  gathermi  of 

he  3  g-Kmves,'  meaning  the  troops  of  the  United  States,;nd 
offered  assistance  from  the  Spanish  and  French  settlcmon  s  in 
thyouth-west,  who,  he  said,  were  preparing  to  come  to  ihdr 

''Children  !"  s^aid  tf.e  Spaniard,  "you  see  me  on  my  feet 
grasping  the  tomahawk  to  strii<e  them.  We  will  strike  to 
pther.  I  do  not  desire  you  to  go  before  me,  in  the  front.'  but 
to  follow  me.  '     " 

"Children  :  I  present  you  with  a  war-pipe,  which  has  been 
sent  in  al  our  names  to  the  Musquakies,  and  all  those  nations 
who  iveto^vards  the  setting  sun,  to  get  upon  their  feet  ad 
take  hold  of  our  tomahawk  :  and  as  soon  as  they  smoked  it 
hey  sent  It  back  with  a  promise  to  get  immediately  on  their' 
feet,  and  join  us,  and  strike  this  enemy. 

"  Children  :  You  hear  what  tiiese  distant  nations  have  said 
to  us,  so  that  we  have  nothing  farther  to  do  but  put  our  desirrns 
into  immediate  execution,  and  to  forward  this  pipe  to  the  th"-eo 
warhlce  nations  who  have  so  long  been   stn'llin.  for  the  " 
country,  and  who  now  sit  at  the  Glaize.     Tell  Ihoin  to  smZ 
this  pipe,  and  forward  it  to  all  the  lake  Indians  and  Th  h 
northern  brethren.     Then  nothing  will  be  wanting  to  com- 
plete our  general  union  from  the.  rising  to  t!ie  setting  of  the  sun 
and  all  nations  will  be  ready  to  add  strength  to  the  blow  we  are 
.oingtomake.-  [DeHvereU  a  .ar-jj^^^ 

The  Spaniard  farther  assured  them  that  the  Creeks  Chero- 
kees,  Choctaws  and  Chickasaws,  iiad  also  charged  him  wi  h  a 
message,  assuring  them  that  their  hearts  were  tvith  the  Confe" 
deracy,  and  that  eleven  nations  of  the  southern  Indians  were 
then  on  their  feet,  with  the  hatchet  in  their  hand,  ready  to  s7Z 
their  common  enemy.  ^ 

The  Chi.efs  to  whom  these  messages  from  the  west  and  south 
vrere  delivered  at  the  Rapids,  immediately  convened  «  council, 

♦  MS.  among  the  Brant  papers. 


i 


:«#- 


S      «■ 


,i 

'f-; 

BJtB  a- 

m 


•■»•«•     ft* 


""*   ^ 

»• » „ ,    »• 

*•  •  •• »    »« 

•••«■•■   M 

i-  •■;  » 

•     •>. 


376 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1794, 


composed  of  the  Wyandots,  Ottawas,  Chippewag,  Min<;oes,  Miin- 
seys,  and  Nantikokes,  before  whom  the  inteUigeuce  was  lepcut. 
ed.     They  were  then  addressed  as  follows  :— 

"  Brothers  :  You  have  now  heard  the  speeches  brought  to 
our  council  at  the  Glaize  a  {ow  days  ago  from  the  Spanuuds; 
and  as  soon  as  they  heard  them,  and  smoked  the  pipe,  their 
hearts  wera  glad,  and  they  determhied  to  step  forward  and  put 
into  execution  the  advice  sent  to  them.  They  desire  you  to 
forward  the  pipe,  as  has  been  recommended,  to  all  our  nortlicrri 
brethren  ;  not  doubting  but  as  soon  as  you  have  smoked  it,  you 
will  follow  their  example,  and  they  will  hourly  expect  you  to 
join  them,  as  it  will  not  be  many  days  before  the  nearness  of 
our  enemies  will  give  us  an  opportunity  of  striking  them." 

[Delivered  the  pipe.] 
Egouchoiwy  answered  for  all  the  nations  present  :— 
"  Brothers  :  I  am  happy  at  the  good  news  you  have  told 
us,  and  we  will  immediately  go  and  collect  all  our  people,  and 
be  with  you  as  soon  as  possible."* 

There  is  mystery  attached  to  this  mission  of  the  Spaniard, 
concerning  which  no  farther  information  has  been  obtained. 
The  Indians  of  the  Confederacy  were  greatly  encouraged  by 
the  assurances  of  assistance,  and  it  will  soon  appear  that  some 
tribes  came  to  their  help  from  a  very  great  distance.  The  em- 
ployment of  a  Spanish  Envoy,  however,  was  a  remarkable  cir- 
cumstance, and  serves  to  strengthen  the  suspicions  entertained 
by  Washington  two  years  before,  that,  even  at  that  early  day, 
the  possessors  of  the  estuary  of  the  Mississippi,  and  of  the  vast 
Spanish  territories  above,  had  already  become  alarmed  lest  what 
has  happened  respecting  that  territory,  would  happen,  unless 
the  power  of  the  United  States  should  be  crippled.  But  the 
promised  Spanish  and  French  assistance  from  that  direction  did 
not  arrive,  nor  were  the  Confederates  aided  in  their  subseqlient 

♦  The  reader  must  bear  in  mind  that  these  speechea  and  proceedings  of  the  In- 
dian Councils,  exclusively  such,  were  written  down  by  theBritish  agents  and  ofllccri 
among  the  Indians,  who  attended  to  assist  them.  The  author  finds  many  of  tlinn 
among  the  papers  ofCaptain  Brant— some  from  the  Upper  Lake  tribes  in  French, 
The  account  of  this  Spanish  writer,  his  message,  and  the  consequent  address  to  the 
Lake  tribes,  the  author  has  found  among  these  papers,  signed  by  Colonel  M'Kea 
as  Deputy  Jigent  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  the  copy  certified  by  Thomas  Talbot.  So 
veral  paragraphs  of  both  addresses  have  been  omitted,  as  not  material  to  tlie  biatory 
See  Appendix^  No.  IX. 


II' 


ir!l4.J         PENNSV..VAN.A   AND  THE   B,X   N.VT.O.v,.  ■J^r 

opomions  by  .he  Crook.,  Chorote,  a„d  Cl,iokas,u>,s,  .,  p,^ 

The  United  States  were  not  inactive  during  these  hostile 

movements  and   preparations    amonff  the   Indhnr   r         . 

VVa,no.  or  Su,ae^.,oo,  as  he  .as  ^^t^iai^Z^ 

.nulang    he  most  vigorous  preparations  for^ponin"       'cam 

p.u.m  vvuh  decision.    Among  other  measures,  it  was  d^ot  r  nn^T 

wh.e  he  was  approaching  the  Miami  towns  with  a  fo™fi^ 

cent,  as  It  w..  hoped,  to  end  the  war  at  a  blow,  to  occupv  ^" 

stafon  at  Presqu    Isle,  and  fortify  it.     This  movement  noL 

pivo  great  uneasiness  to  the   confederates   hut   i.  ""'^^^"'7 

with  another,  of  a  different  descr'  'tSpt^h^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

P-mnsylvama,  had  well-nigh  driven  the  whole  of  the  more  ancLu 
;  Lance  of  the  Six  Nations  at  once  into  hostilities  against  the 
United  States  under  their  old  leader  Thayendanegea.  ^P  n  .svl 
vama,  It  seems  claimed  a  district  of  country  on  thJsouth  shore  j; 
Lake  Erie  including  Presqu'  Isle,  under  color  of  a  purcha     from 
he  Corn-planter-which  purchase  the  Six  Nations^  to  whomZ 
torntory  in  question  had  belonged,  held  to  be  inva  id.    Za'^ 
1  ss  of  the  objections  and  remonstrances  of  the  IndianlCis 
claim.ng  proprietorship,  the  Corn-planter  having,  as  they   on 
ended  sold  it  without  authority,  Pennsylvania  was  now  pllnt- 

S  LTe"T  b?"'"^  ""'  ^^^^^'"^  ^"  establishmem  at 

Presqu  Isle    at  which  aggression,  as  they  esteemed  it.  Captain 

nrant  and  h-s  nations  were  greatly  incensed.     A  counc  C 

ereupon  he  d,  to  take  that  and  other  subjects  into  cons  d    " 

h'  ,^"''"' V^'  ^'"'"-^^  °^  ^^'"^'^  --r«  commenced  onTe 
2  th  of  June  General  Chapin  was  in  attendance,  at  the  u".en' 
solic.  ation  0  the  Indians,  and  Captain  O'Bail  (the  Corn  plTS 
was  the  speaker.  He  complained  first  of  the  Absence  o/ste  a 
of  their  warriors,  who  were  believed  to  have  been  killed  by  the 
Americans  One  of  tneir  chiefs,  Big  Tree,  he  said,  had  some 
months  before  gone  to  the  camp  of  the  Am;ricans  i^  ZlZ 
nendly  manner,  and  had  been  put  to  death ;  while  another  of 
thcr  warriors  had  been  killed  at  Venango  "while  sittinloLv 
and  peaceable  on  his  seat."    He  next  entered  upon  the  su^ 

•  Sukach-gook  is  the  Delaware  name  for  black  snake,  which  .  .UoA  Ton      . 

Way.,  by,  say,„„hat  he  possessed  all  the  art  and  cun  in.^  ,hat  retle    S 


VOL.  II. 


25 


t  i 


*> 

} 

h 

,i  1 

1,'-     : 

'H 

%    Ml 

n 

lit 

1 

i^^^l^HH 

1-4  «•  •     •♦ 


••  .•  •  *" 

t  ■ .  «  »< 

:  ^ 

:  » 

:  i> 


,|,<: 


">,<„     I 


2  >' 


^  '■'■ 

^m-' 

It 

,1! 

378 


LIFK    OF    lUlANT. 


fl794. 


of  tlin  Pcdiisyl Villi ia  eiicioaclimonts,  of  wliich  he  comphiinecj 
bitterly,  insisting  that  the  sale  alleged  to  have  been  made  by 
hiins((lf  was  not  in  any  manner  obligatory  upon  the  Indians. 
Tlio  erection  of  the  fort  at  Presqn'  Isle  was  likewise  a  theme  of 
complaint,  The  determination  of  the  council  was  to  send  a  de- 
legation of  their  Ohiefs  into  the  disputed  territory,  to  request  ;i 
removal  of  tho  intruders ;  and  General  Chapin  was  solicited  to 
aceompniiy  the  deputation.  He  did  so,  but  the  mission  was  ex 
ociitcd  to  no  good  purpose. 

On  till!  return  of  the  delegation  to  Buffalo  Creek,  another 
council  was  hold  to  receive  the  report.  This  convention  was 
on  the  4th  of  July.  The  report,  being  unfavorable,,  of  course 
gave  no  satisfaction,  and  the  Indians  immediately  manifested  a 
still  greater  degree  of  alienation  from  the  United  States.  Tho 
general  boundary  question  was  revived  during  the  discussions, 
and  an  address  from  the  council  to  the  President,  spoken  '  y 
O'Uail,  was  written  down,  and  transmitted  by  General  Chapin. 
In  this  address  the  Indians  re-asserted  their  determination  to  in- 
sist upon  tho  Ohio  and  Muskingum  boundary.  The  foilowinjj 
is  an  extract  :— 

"  GicNiitiAL  Washington,  attend  !  What  gives  us  room 
for  tho  making  of  so  many  speeches,  is,  because  you  relate  all 
tho  former  deceptions  that  have  been  used. 

"  Gknkhal  Washington  :  I  depend  upon  you  to  gratify 
our  request,  and  that  will  make  my  mind  easy.  Sometimes  I 
hear  that  I  nm  going  to  flee  from  my  seat,  for  the  injuries  I 
have  done.  These  reflections  make  me  so  imhappy,  that  I  am 
almost  tempted  to  die  with  the  Six  Nations. 

"BuoTHEn:  We  are  determined  low,  as  we  were  before, 
that  tho  line  shall  remain.  We  hav  s  fully  considered  on  the 
boundary  we  have  marked  out.  We  know  all  that  we  have  re- 
ceived from  time  to  time,  and  we  think  if  you  establish  this  line, 
it  will  make  us  about  even. 

"  Brother  :  If  you  do  not  comply  with  our  request,  we 
shall  determine  on  something  else,  as  we  are  a  free  people. 

"  Brother  :  We  are  determined  to  be  a  free  people.  You 
know,  General  Washington,  that  we,  the  Six  Natior.s,  have  al- 
ways boon  able  to  defend  ourselves,  and  we  are  still  determined 
to  maintain  our  freedom. 

"  Brother  :  You  must  not  suspect  that  any  other  nation  cor- 


Captain  Br 


.  M 


1794.  J 


PENNSYLVANIA   AND   THE   SIX    NATIONS. 


379 


he  n.oa„s  to  join.     If  he  ....s  to  joi^^  JJ    '  ^^  i;';:^,:;:'^ 
Although   |,e  name  of  Brant  does  not  often  occu     n     o    '", 
e.dm,s  cW  the  conncils  touchh..  the  movement  o     ^.^ C 
.    n  a  upon  bandu.sky,  yet  lie  wa.s  by  no  means  a  p^s  ivcZ^   o" 
of  passing  events.     Tf.ero  wore  no  hours  of  idleness  in  his     ^ 
•au    when  not  engaged  ni  the  field,  or  in  attendan     npoi;     ' 
els  or  upon  fore.gn  missions,  Ins  mind  was  occup  ed  in    he" 
wor   of  improving  the  minds  and  morals,  and  add   '  to  tie 
couiforts.  ot  Ins  own  peoi,le.     In  the  Spring  of  the  pre  tn  ty 
ho  was  engaged  in  the  erection  of  a  council  hon^e  fnr  h    ^ 
tion  at  Grand  River.     But  the  Sandusky   ffHireZu  "" 

to  the  field  ;  and  while  others  wereSe  ft    ;  ^^  r,,^^'"^^ 
ntte,nptnig  ,0  negotiate,  the  Chief  was  preparim/ to  e^e  J  thf 
csputed  title  by  arms-dircctly  aided,  i  will  b^   ZZ  th 
lollowing  letter,  by  the  Executive  of  Upper  Canada:- 

Captain  Brant  to  Colonkl  Smith-(«  poh  Govehnou 

SiMCOE."*) 

«o,„     Ti         .       ,         "^^»''d  River,  I9th  July,  179i 
Sm :  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of 
i^e  16  h  instant,  enclosing  the  extracts  his  ExcellLy  halbe^f 
pleased  to  favor  me  with,  for  which  I  have  to  request  yVu  won  d 
have  tne  goodness  to  thank  liis  Excellency  for  me 

"I  am  nmch  concerned  to  find  that  the  Lake  Indians  think 

hen-  belts  complefedt    I  foresaw  the  event,!  for  wh  ch  r  ^"n 

it  has  over  been  my  opinion  that  they  should  avoilTom^nr.n 

any  considerable  engagement,  because  it  is  a  custom  aZ/.h 

Indians,  that  after  having  struck  a  good  blowr^^rha:^^^^^ 

one  paragraph  of  which  explains  the  siSc  j^^on  oftht  '  °"  '"'  '"'  °""'^' 

:;naw  and  Lalu-  Indians.  hL„,  c^;.:.:^^     'te^;;^wiZ'■^''"^'''■ 

prisoners,  seem  resolved  on  going  home  asain     Th-     ,  ''""^;'' «"">  scalps  and 

"consuierahly  weaken  the  delnceexprjjl  I     uT.  °^ '^"'^  P^°P'«  '^'"W 
"  Band  Indians."  ^  """  '**"  "•"^'^'^  section.,  of  two  thou- 

mf£'"""w  ?"?'"'  '"  ""  ^"g''S«"'ent  betweer,  Li„!e  Turtle  and  M  • 
M  Mab.,  wh,ch  w,il  be  ,nore  particularly  noted  a  page  or  two  o^  "^" 


n    * 


>  a  .,  4       ^ 


't 

'     «H|, 

•* 

•><'•• 

■Hi' 

Ml          ^ 

31 

IP     •' 

D 

3:  5 

«,« 

M   t 

a*  ^ 

;y 

^.«      '* 

••'t 

■*• 

i     J!  :u 


IfH  LIFE   P<^   BRANT.  [1704. 

prisoners  find  scalps,  they  return  horno.     Ncvcrthiclcss  I  liope 
tlioy  will  not  go. 

"  In  rcg.ird  to  the  Prcsqu'  Isle  business,  should  we  not  gft 
an  answer  at  the  time  liinitud,  it  is  our  husinoss  to  push  those 
fellows  hard,  and  thcreibre  it  is  my  intention  to  form  my  camp 
at  Pointe  Appineau  ;  and  1  would  esteem  it  a  tavor  if  his  Dx- 
eolloncy  the  Lieutenant  Governor  would  lend  me  four  or  five 
batteaux.  Should  it  so  turn  out,  and  should  those  fellows  not 
go  off,  and  U'Hail  continue  in  the  same  opinion,  an  expedition 
atfainst  those  Yankees  must  of  consetpience  take  place. 

"  Tlis  Excellency  has  beon  so  good  as  to  furnish  us  with  n 
cwt.  of  powder,  and  ball  in  proportion,  which  is  now  at  Fort 
Erie  ;  but  in  the  event  of  an  attack  upon  Le  Ua3uf  people,  I  could 
wish,  if  consistent,  that  his  Excellency  would  order  a  like  quan 
tity  in  addition  to  be  at  Fort  Erie,  in  order  to  be  in  readiness: 
likewise  I  would  hope  lor  a  little  assistance  in  provisions. 

'*  I  would  request  that  his  Es.cellency  would  favor  me  with 
an  answer  by  the  bearer,  Scth.  I  would  also  trouble  his  Ex- 
cellency in  regard  to  those  people  who  went  with  him  to  De- 
troit. They  were  promised  to  be  handsomely  rewarded,  which 
as  yet  has  not  been  done  ;  and  as  they  now  expect  to  go  upon 
service,  they  are  rather  impatient ;  and  if  it  was  convenient  that 
they  could  be  satisfied,  either  by  borrowing  goods,  or  otherwise, 
as  his  Excellency  would  think  fit,  I  would  be  extremely  happy. 

"  I  understand  some  new  regiments  are  raising,  or  to  be  rni.«oil. 
In  that  case  I  would  consider  myself  much  favored  should 
some  of  my  relations,  young  men,  have  an  equal  chc.  -  -  le 
ing  provided  for. 

<'  A  few  days  ago  I  sent  seven  men  to  Cadaragar.i,  i    ..:m\ud 

O'Bail  that  he    should  watch  any  movement  of  those  people* 

vorv  narrowly ;  and  that  he  should  be  ready  to  march  imme- 

■■jtely  after  the  expiration  of  the  time,  should  they  not  then 

ev   ■'■-"at--'  that  place." 

"J  ■  iusc-'i  il  of  this  letter  at  length  is  deemed  hmportant, 
.=,■!•  w-..;,  ;;■  it  does,  v.w^  that,  too,  beyond  the  power  of  contra- 
diction, *h  it  the  Ind;  iis  were  supplied  purposely,  with  their 
munitions  of  war,  by  the  officers  of  the  British  crown.  The 
fact  was  denied  by  Great  Britain,  or  at  least  it  was  argued,  that 


*  The  settlers  at  Preiqu'  Isle. 


ff 


ir-.iij 


hatti.e  at  fort  hecovery. 


3S1 


If  th.  In.l.nns  ,  nnv  thoir  supplies  from  the  Omadians,  th.y 
wore  furnMlu.  |,^  individual.,  nn  .uc!.,  over  whoso  actions  ia 
ho  pr«.n.s...  ,1.0  Kovornrncnt  h,-«l  no  control.    Independently  of 

iH  rn'l'r  r,'  ""'  ""'■""'^'■'  ""  '^^'^'^"^'"^  °^  ''>«  boats,  and 
h  .  -.Co.,  by  Ciovoruor  .Sinclair  of  a  new  tbrtilication,  hereto- 

U-tro.     alJordod  «trou,-r  evideuco  of  a  d.sif...  on  the  part  of 
G^eat  »ruau..  to  avail  herself  of  the  non-exeauion  of  that  artl 
clou,  the  truaty  ol  peace  stipulatin-r  for  the  payment  of  debts 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  new  boundary  lino,  by  which 
th3.rroat  lakes  should  bo  entirely  comprehended  in  Upper  qI- 
nada     An  aunn.ued  corresiK^ndence  took  place  on  the  whole 
subject,  between  , he  An.erican   Secretary  of  State  and   Mr 
Hainmond,  tno  diplomatic  representative  of  Great  Britain,  in 
which  a  considerable  decree  of  mutual  irritation  was  displa;ed 
and  m  wh.cu  ea.:h  supported  the  charges  against  the  nation  o 
U)e  other  much  better  than  he  defended  his  own/    Had  the 
Secretary  ot  State  been  in  possession  of  the  preceding  letter 
from  the  Mohawk  Chief,  he  would  not  have  argued  uponunc  r 
taumes     at  lo.st  so  far  as  a  supply  of  powder%nd  ifa  Mo  t  e 
Ind.uns  by  the  (ioveinor  of  Upper  Canada  would  have  susta^^ 
edh.sc.jse      In  any  event,  the  charge  is  now  brought  home 
with  sulhcent  distmctuess  to  put  the  question  at  rest.^  CapZ 

Bahowovnr  found  no  occasion  forafartherrequisition  upon 
h.  Lxcelloncy  for  ammunition  at  that  time.     The  interposition 
0    he  Presidont  deterred  I'ennsylvania  from  the  farther  prose 
ution  of  b.r  designs  upou  Presqu'  Isle,  and  the  projected  expe- 
'l...m  01  the  S.X  Nations  was  accordingly  relinquished.  ^ 

The  desultory  contest  with  the  Indians,  so  long  protracted 

0  he  JOih  oi  Juno  a  sharp  action  took  place  under  the  walls 
f  I  rt  Itecovory-.«  fortress  which  had  been  thrown  up  by  G 

neral  Wayne  on  the  battle-ground  of  St.  Clair's  defeat  m 
runary  object  ol  the  lud,  ms,  who  were  the  assailants,  was  the 

■   Z  .  i-ih  l"^"  '""'"'"  f  P^-'^-horses,  recently  arrived  at 
It  fort  M  tl    provisions,  which  were  returning  to  Fort  Grei 
v^^  guarded  by  a  company  of  cavalry  under  Captain  G^b  on, 
and  a  detaclunent  ot  nmety  riflemen,  the  whole  under  the  com- 

•  Marshal!. 


i\ 

.1 

S^B^iriS 

; 

1 

i 

1.  -1  • 

If" 


•'It**    ;•• 


:  > 

»»*«t. 

k| 

■»■»■■• 

** 

U 

M*  • 

H 

:3!  ^ 

*» 

382 


I.JKK    OF    IJRAiNl'. 


I  ir!>4 


'•jn   '1 


>1««     «lm 


:^ 


mand  of  Major  M'Mahon.  Taken  by  surprise,  and  finding  llie 
Indians  in  groat  force,  the  Americans  sought  speedy  refuge 
within  the  walls  of  the  fort.  The  Indians  were  led  by  the  dis- 
tinguished Miami  Chief,  Little  Turtle.  Pressing  close  upon  the 
garrison,  with  an  evident  design  to  carry  it,  the  moment  M'Ma- 
hon's  troops  had  regained  the  fortress  a  fire  was  opened  upon 
the  assailants,  which  drove  them  back  with  great  slaughter. 
They  rallied  again,  however,  and  maintained  the  engagement 
through  the  day,  but  keeping  at  a  more  respectful  distance. 
The  night,  which  was  thick  and  foggy,  was  employed  by  them 
in  removi)ig  their  dead  by  torch-light.  On  the  next  day  the 
assault  was  renewed ;  but  the  Indians  were  ultimately  com- 
pelled to  retreat,  with  loss  and  disappointment,  from  the  field  of 
their  former  triumph.  Both  in  advance  and  retreat,  in  this  ex- 
pedition, the  Indians  marched  with  perfect  order.  Their  en- 
campments were  sqtiare  and  regular,  and  they  moved  upon  the 
fort  in  seventeen  columns,  at  wide  distances  apart.  Many  white 
men  were  in  their  ranks,  supposed  to  be  the  inhabitants  and 
militia  of  Detroit.  Officers  in  British  uniform  were  likewise 
so  near  the. scene  of  action  as  to  be  distinctly  discerned.  Seve- 
ral valuable  officers  of  Major  M'Mahon's  corps  fell  at  the  first 
onset,  among  whom  was  the  gallant  Major  himself.  The  total 
loss  of  the  Americans  was  twenty-two  killed  and  thirty  wounded 
The  Indians  suffered  very  severely.  In  their  retreat  it  was  as- 
certained that  a  large  number  of  pack-horses  were  literally  load- 
ed with  their  slain.  Such,  at  least,  were  the  facts  in  regard  to 
this  aflfair,  as  derived  from  the  most  ample  and  apparently  au- 
thentic accounts  of  the  Americans.  Nor  did  the  Indian  accounts 
differ  from  the  American  as  widely  as  is  often  the  case  between 
opposite  statements  of  antagonist  parties.  As  an  evidence  of 
which,  and  to  show  how  accurately  and  promptly  Captain  Brant 
was  advised  of  the  progress  and  events  of  the  war,  the  following 
extract  is  given  from  his  correspondence : — 

Extract  from  a  Letter  to  Captain  Brant. 

'^  Detroit,  Jiihj  5,  1794. 

"An  attack  was  made  on  the  30th  of  June  by  the  Indians,  on 

three  hiuidred  pack-horses  returning  to  Fort  Grenville,  from 

whence  they  came  the  day  before  with  provisions.     All  of  these, 

with  the  pack-horsemen,  were  either  taken  or  kil!-'xl  close  hr 


1794.] 


CAMPAIGN   OP    GENERAL    AVAYNE. 


383 

Fort  Recovery,  together  with  thirty  bullocks     Captain  Gibson 

::f ^d^rr'^-vT  ^^^^^^^'"^ '-  attack'.:ron  • ' 

h o  .es,  ordered  a  troop  of  dragoons,  or  hght-horse,  to  charge  the 
I^dmns.  and  at  the  same  time  he  drew  up  his  ga^ri.on  ffront 
of  the  for,  as  if  with  a  design  to  sustain  his  cav^alry     But  Z 

*u-  1     ,.  A  III- 1US5,  oi  me  muiuns  conimeiirpfl  frnm 

this  penod  ;  lor  they  kept  up  a  useless  attack  up^tt^ 
wlule  he  troops  within  were  firing  at  then,  through  loop  ho"'. 
Seventeen  were  killed,  and  as  many  woinided 
"The  iMouutain  Leader  was  killed  two  days  before  the  ac- 
on  by  a  scoutmg  party  of  the  Hurons.     He  was  the  cl  ef  of 
t  e  Chickasaws.     Wells,  (a  scout  from  Wayne's  army    vm 
ulled  rn  the  engagement ;  and  May  is  reported  to  be  so  by  on" 

'!:::^^ZmM!     ''  ""^'^"^  ^"^  ''^^  other  omcers  are  also 
"  My  information  states  that  these  prisoners  report  there  are 
Sjxty  Chickasaws  with  their  army,  twenty  of  who.H  e    t  Pon 
Recovery  and  forty  at  Fort  GrenviUe.     They  also  sav  that  th 
horses  which  are  now  taken  and  kUled,  wer'ete  on^  ne  ' 
General  Wayne  had  of  transporting  provisions-that  he  wL 
to  commence  his  campaign  about  the  middle  of  next  monrr 
-nng  or  an  augmentation  of  his  force  of  three  thou    nd^'u- 
tia  from  Kentucky-and  that  he  is  to  build  a  fort  at  th^  r. 
and  proceed  from  tl^ence  to  Detroit  ^'''''• 

*'  The  Chiefs  of  several  nations  are  now  in  council  at  the 
Glaize  adoptmg  measures  to  re-unite  their  force  if  possi  le ' 

1  aught  by  the  unfortunate  experience  of  Harmar  and  St 
Ckur  General  Wayne  moved  not  but  with  the  utZs  cTuio„ 
aud  all  the  preparation  which  a  prudent  forecast  required      He 
had  not  therefore  advanced  beyond  Fort  Recovery' 3"  suffi 
cient  strength  had  been  concentrated,  and  such  oth  r  dispS" 

rT;tetl™''  -^^b^h--t  only  to  strike  a  dtS 
IMmv  but  retain  possession  of  the  country  he  might  conquer 

sI^tbnTI      "''°-^'"^  preparations  carried  the  active^p"-' 
secution  of  the  campaign  mto  midsummer.     The  richest  and 
mostextensive  towns  of  the  hostile  Indians  lay  ahnn     "  e" 
Hueace  of  the  Au  Glaize  and  the  Miamis  of  the  Lakes".     It  th^ 


■% 


f* 


I- 


4 


H;-1 


< » ■■ «    »• 


:  3i> 


m   »■ 


384 


LUT.   OP    DttNAT. 


[1794 


pl.icc  General  Wnyno  nrrivndfin  the  8th  of  August,  where  snmp 
works  of  defence  wore  thrnvvn  up  for  the  protection  of  the  niaira- 
zines.  It  was  thirty  niili.'S  ihonce  to  the  Rapids,  where,  as  lias 
been  already  seen,Govnrnor  Siincoc  had  recently  erected  a  strong 
fortress,  fifty  miles  within  the  stipulated  and  understood  bounda- 
ry, as  between  the  Britisli  possessions  and  those  of  the  United 
States.  At  this  latter  place,  in  the  immediate  neigliborhood  of 
the  fort,  the  Indian  forces  were  collected  to  the  number  of 
nearly  two  thousand.  Tlio  Continental  legion  under  General 
Wayne  was  of  about  efiniil  strength,  exclusive  of  eleven  bun 
dred  mounted  Kentucklans  under  General  Scott.  Here  the 
Black  Snake  had  intended  to  sinprise  the  neighboring  vil- 
lages of  the  enemy  ;  and  tho  more  effectuaUy  to  ensure  the  suc- 
cess of  his  coup  do  mahif  lio  hud  not  only  advanced  thus  far  by 
an  obscure  and  very  dilliciilt  route,  but  taken  pains  to  clear  out 
two  roads  from  Greonvillo  ni  that  direction,  in  order  to  attract 
and  divert  the  attention  of  the  Indians  while  he  marched  upon 
neither.  But  his  gonorulship  proved  of  no  avail.  The  Little 
Turtle  was  too  wary  a  loader  to  he  taken  by  surprise — to  say 
nothing  of  the  desertion  of  a  villain  named  Newman,  an  officer 
in  the  (iuarter-raastcr  Goneral's  department,  who  gave  the 
Indians  warning  of  Wayno's  advance.  Little  Turtle  there- 
upon retii*ed  to  tho  Rapids  ;  and  having  been  apprized  by  the 
deserter  of  the  strength  of  tho  Americans,  determined  to  give 
battle,  and  made  dispositions  for  that  object. 

Having  learned  on  tho  12th,  from  Indian  prisoners  who  were 
brought  in,  the  position  of  tho  enemy,  in  close  proximity  to  the 
British  garrison  at  tho  Rapids,  and  being  yet  desirous  of  bring 
ingthe  Indians  to  terms,  if  |)ossihlc,  without  the  farther  effusion 
of  blood,  the  American  cominiuider  despatched  another  messen- 
ger of  peace.  Tho  namo  of  the  envoy  selected  for  the  occasion 
was  Miller — a  man  wiio  liad  been  so  long  a  captive  among 
the  Indians  as  to  havo  aO(iuired  their  language.  He  was  ex- 
ceedingly reluctant  to  lujdcrtuko  the  liazardous  enterprise.  But 
beuig  strongly  urged  ujjon  tho  service,  with  an  assurance  from 
Ihe  General  that  eight  of  tho  Indian  warriors,  who  were  prison- 
ers, should  be  held  as  pledges  of  his  safety,  he  at  last  assented— 
taking  two  of  the  prisoners,  a  warrior  and  a  squaw,  along  with 
him.  He  was  received  in  a  very  hostile  mood,  and  his  life 
thiT:atened.     But  addressing  them  in  their  own  language,  dis 


17'.)1.J 


CAMPAIGN    OP    GFNERAL    WAYNE. 


385 

playin?  a  flao;,  and  explaining  the  object  of  his  visit,  the  mcnac- 

r    or  f    Ch.ers  deliberated  .n  council  upon  the  letter  fron.  the 
General,  of  which  he  was  the  bearer.     Assuring  them  that  every 

rrf  "     : ,   T"""  "'^"^^  ^^^'^^  ^^  P"^  ^«  ^eath  unless  h^ 
sho  Id  be  sent  back  in  safety  before  the  lOrh,  he  was  liberated 
on    he  preceding  day-with  a  message  to  Wayne,  that  if  he 
waued  where  he  was  ten  days,  they  would  then  treat  with  him 
r^.uf  he  advanced  at  an  earlier  day  they  would  fight.  Impatie.U 

.1  e  ith'  TT'  TT"  '^'  ^'^'""  "p  ^-  •'-  «f  >"-'"- 

Vr  I    7  °^  ^^^'^'''"'  '^^''''''     The  message  vvhich  he 

met  d,d  not  check  his  advance,  and  the  General  arrived  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Rapids  on  the  18th.     The  19th  was  occupied' 
m  reconnouring  the  positions  of  the  enemy,  and  throwinAin 
ash.htforificationforthe  protection  of  the   stores,  which  w^s 
appropriately  named  Fort  Deposite. 

The  enemy  had  taken  post  behind  a  thick  wood,  rendered 
almost  inaccessible  by  a  dense  growth  of  under-brush  and  fallen 
timber,  marking  the  track  of  a  tornado,  and  almost  under  the 
guns  of  the  fort  that  had  been  erected  by  Simcoe.     Their  left 
was  secured  by  the  rocky  bank  of  the  river.     The  Americans 
advanced  for  the  attack  early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th     At 
about  ten  o'clock,  having  proceeded  nearly  five  miles,  the  ad 
vance  guard,  commanded  by  Major  Price,  received  so  brisk  a 
hre  from  the  enemy,  who  were  secreted  in  the  woods  and  the 
tall  grass,  OS,  to  compel  it  to  fall  back.     The  ground  was  most 
happily  chosen  by  the  enemy  for  their  mode  of  warfare,  so  ob- 
structed and  difficult  of  access  as  to  render  it  almost  impossible 
for  the  cawilry  to  act.     Immediately  on  the  attack  upon  the 
corps  of  Major  Pnce,  the  legion  was  formed  in  two  lines  and 
moved  rapidly  forward.     The  thick  forest  and  old  broken  wood 
a  read V  described,  extended  to  tlie  left  of  the  army  several  miles- 
the  right  resting  on  the  river.     The  Indians  were  formed  in 
three  lines  within  supporting  distance  of  each  other,  and  ex- 
tendnig  for  about  two  miles  at  right  angles  with  the  river.  The 
American  commander  soon  discovered,  from  the  weicrhtof  his 
fire,  and  the  extent  of  his  lines,  that  it  was  the  desi'^n  of  the 
enemy  to  turn  his  left  flank.     The  second  line  was  thereupon 
ordored  to  advance  in  support  of  the  first,  while,  by  a  circuitl^u. 
route,  Scott  was  directed  with  his  Keutuckians  to 'turn  the  ene." 


I   M   ..  1.  »■' 


►*«ii 

«> 

'-•  •«« 

■1* 

''•    « 

10 

^ 

:  ■ 

a» 

i 

;» 

386 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1794 


my's  right,  In  concert  with  this  movement,  the  front  hne  was 
ordered  by  General  Wayne  to  charge  with  trailed  arms,  and 
rouse  the  Indians  from  their  covert  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
Having  started  thom  up,  the  Americans  were  directed  to  fire, 
and  cliarge  them  so  closely  as  to  allow  no  time  for  re-load- 
ing. The  open  ground  by  the  river  permitted  the  movements 
of  cavalry,  with  which  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy  was  gained 
and  turned.  Indeed,  such  were  the  promptness  of  movement  on 
the  part  of  the  Americans,  and  the  impetuosity  of  the  charge  of 
the  first  line  of  infantry,  that  the  Indians,  together  with  the  De- 
troit militia  and  volunteers,  were  driven  from  all  their  coverts  in 
so  brief  a  space  of  time  that  the  mounted  men,  though  making 
every  possible  exertion  to  press  forward,  were  many  of  them 
unable  to  gain  their  proper  positions  to  participate  in  the  action. 
In  the  course  of  an  hour,  the  enemy,  notwithstanding  all  the 
embarrassments  of  the  ground  already  enumerated,  were  driven 
more  than  two  miles,  by  a  force  of  less  than  half  their  numbeis 
actually  engaged.  The  victory  was  complete  and  decisiv, , 
both  Indians  and  their  allies,  composed  of*  the  "  mixed  multi- 
tude" already  more  than  once  referred  to,  abandoning  themselves 
lo  flight  in  terror  and  dismay, — leaving  the  field  of  battle  in  the 
quiet  possession  of  the  Americans.  The  commanding  General 
stated  in  his  official  report  of  the  action,  that  "  it  was  terminat- 
"  ed  under  the  influence  of  the  guns  of  the  British  garrison,"— 
the  pursuit  having  continued  until  they  were  within  reach  of 
those  guns.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed  and  wounded, 
including  officers,  was  one  hundred  and  seven.  Among  the 
slain  Wcis  Captain  Campbell,  commanding  the  cavalry,  who  fell 
in  the  first  charge.*  ^ 

The  loss  of  the  Indians  is  not  known.  It  must,  however,  have 
been  very  sev^ere.  Seven  Nations  were  engaged  in  the  action, 
viz :  the  Miamis,   Wyandots,   the   Pottawattamies,  Delawares, 

*  It  was  ill  this  memorable  action  that  Captain  Solomon  (now  General  Van  Rins- 
fselaer)  of  Albany,  an  officer  of  dragoons,  received  a  wonnd  in  the  conimencement 
of  the  battle,  by  being  shot  through  the  lungs.  General  Wilkinson,  who  was  alto 
in  the  battle,  states,  in  bis  Memoirs,  that  Van  Rensselaer  liept  his  horse,  and  ron- 
tinned  fighting  until  the  blood  spurted  from  his  mouth  and  nostrils.  General  Van 
Rensselaer  was  afterward  dreadfully  wounded  in  half  a  dozen  places,  at  the  daring 
assault  upon  Q-ueenston  Heights  in  i312.  He  yet  lives,  and,  after  having  serve'" 
the  State  of  Now- York  anveral  years  as  Adjutant  General,  and  been  repeatedly 
uected  to  Congress,  has  for  the  last  fifteen  years  held  the  office  of  Post-master  in 
Albany. 


iJfake'u  Book 


1794.J 


CAMPAIGN    OP    GENERAL    WAYNE. 


387 


AuT  rT''r    rT'"^"'-  Ottawas,  and  a  portion  of  the  Sonecas 
All  the  Chiefs  of  the  Wyandots  engaged  in  the  battle,  beh,"  n  ne 
jn  number,  v.ere  killed/     Great  .laughter  was  m^de  fy     e 
Iccnonary  cavahy  m  the  pursuit,  so  many  of  the  savages  hj^l 
cut  dou..  wuh  the  sabre,  that  the  title  of  '^  Lon^Kn^ 
years  before  given  to  the  Americans,  was  brought  ^gainim^ 
^ronera  use  among  the  Indians.t    It  was  believed  by  r^anv  hi' 
the  Indians  would  not  have  incurred  this  signal  dlTster     Id 
the  advice  of  the  Liale  Turtle  been  heeded.  ^I    '70"    "d 
to  the  policy  ofa  general  engagement  at  that  time,      dT^' 
even  been  asserted  that  he  was  rather  inclined  to  ^eace.     iC! 
mg  he  night  preceding  the  engagement,  the  Chiefs  of  the  se- 
veral tribes  were  m  council,  and  a  proposition  was  submitted 
to  make  a  night  attack  upon  the  Americans  in  their  "n^amD 
.nent.    The  proposal  was  overruled,  and  a  generareng;"^; 
on  the  following  morning  was  determined  upon.    LiUlfTur. 
th  alone  wa.  opposed   to   the  plan,  while  Blue   Jacket    a 
Shawanese  warrior  of  high  character  and  influence,  strenuously 
supported  the  course  adopted  by  the  council.     Colonel  mS 

fight.  Little  Turtle  was  inspired  with  a  presentiment  that 
hey  comd  not  successfully  encounter  the  Black  Snake  "  W. 
have  beaten  the  enemy,"  said  the  Turtle,  "twice,  under  sepa- 
rate commanders.  We  cannot  expect  the  same  good  fo 
une  always  to  attend  us.  The  Americans  are  nowld  by  a 
chi  who  never  sleeps.  The  night  and  the  day  are  alike  to  him 
and  during  all  the  time  that  he  has  been  marching  upon  o"  ; 


young  men, 


villages,  notwithstanding  the  Avatchfulness  of  our 
•'we  have  never  been  able  to  surprise  him.     Think  vveU  of  it' 
There  is  something  whispers  me  it  would  be  prudent  to  listen' 
to hisotrersof  peace."     For  holding lan^.iagc like  t^,':^ 
r  P  oached  by  some  of  the  Chiefs  with  cowardice,  and  that  end 
e   the  conference     Stung  .0  the  quick  by  an  imputation  which 
ho  W.-1S  conscious  he  had  never  merited,  he  would  have  laid  he 
roviler  d.ad  at  his  feet ;  but  his  was  not  the  bravery  of  an  t 
sassai.    Suppressing  his  resentment,  he  took  part  in  the  battle 
and  performed  his  duty  with  his  wonted  bravery,     m  ev  nt 
proved  that  he  had  not  formed  an  erroneous  estimate  of  the 

'  Drake's  Book  ofthe  Indians.        f  Thatcher's  Lives  of  ,he  Indian  Chicft. 


m4 


<•■  s  *•    1 


•  % 


'  -"■ } 

• 

■      i 

■■  ^' 

k 

(Hi 


k  Ml  If.  ^  tt  « 

I    >■    f,    ig,  M.| 


k  1 


388 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1794. 


charactf-r  of  Wayne  ;  and  that  his  rival,  Blue  Jacket,  though 
equally  brave,  was  less  of  a  prophet  than  himself.* 

Excepting  the  militia  and  refugees  gathered  about  Detroit, 
the  British  or  Canadian  authorities  took  no  part  in  the  battle ; 
hut  the  direction  in  which  ran  their  sympathies  could  not  be 
mistaken,  from  the  tone  of  a  .somewhat  tart  correspondence  oc- 
curring after  the  battle,  between  General  Wayne  and  Major 
Campbell,  commanding  the  British  garrison.  On  the  day  after 
the  engagement,  Major  Campbell  addressed  a  note  to  General 
Wayne,  expressing  his  surprise  at  the  appearance  of  an  Ameri- 
can force  at  a  point  almost  within  reach  of  his  guns,  and  asking 
in  what  light  he  was  to  view  such  near  approaches  to  the  garrison 
which  he  had  the  honor  to  command.  General  Wayne,  with- 
out questioning  the  propriety  of  the  interrogatory,  replied,  that 
even  were  the  Major  entitled  to  an  answer,  "  the  most  full  and 
"  satisfactory  one  was  announced  the  day  before  from  the  muzzles 
"of  his  small  arms,  in  an  action  with  a  horde  of  savages  in  the 
"  vicinity  of  the  fort,  and  which  terminated  gloriously  to  the 
"American  arms."  But,  added  the  General,  "  had  it  continued 
"until  the  Indians  were  driven  under  the  influence  of  the  fort 
"  and  guns  mentioned,  they  would  not  have  much  impeded  the 
"  progress  of  the  victorious  army  under  my  command,  as  no 
"  such  post  was  established  at  the  commencement  of  the  present 
"war  between  the  Indians  and  the  United  States."  Major 
Campbell  rejoined,  complaining  that  men,  with  arms  in  their 
hands,  Avere  approaching  within  pistol  shot  of  his  works,  where 
his  Majesty's  flag  was  flying,  and  threatened  hostilities  should 
such  insults  to  that  flag  be  continued.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this 
letter.  General  Waynu  caused  the  fort  tc  be  closely  reconnoiter- 
ed  in  every  direction.  It  was  found  to  be  a  strong  and  regular 
work,  with  two  bastions  upon  the  rear  and  most  accessible  foce 
of  it,  mounting  eight  pieces  of  artillery  i..t/on  that  side  and  four 
upon  the  front  facing  the  river.  This  duty  having  been  dis 
charged.  General  Wayne  addressed  a  letter  to  the  British  com- 
niander,  disclaiming,  of  course,  as  Major  Campbell  had  pre- 
viously done,  any  desire  to  resort  to  harsh  measures ;  but  de- 
nouncing the  erection  of  that  fortress  as  the  highest  act  of  ag- 
gression toward  the  United  States,  and  requiring  him  to  desist 


.*'l 


*  JScholeraft'?  Travph     ThntrhT.    Drake. 


J794.]  CAMPAIGN   OP   GENERAL   WAYNE.  $89 

from  any  farther  act  of  hostility,  and  to  retire  xvith  his  troops  to 
the  nearest  British  post  occnpied  by  British  troops  at  the  poaca 
ol  1783.  To  this  requisition,  Major  Campbell  answered  that 
he  should  not  abandon  the  post  at  the  summons  of  any  power 
whatever,  unless  in  compliance  with  orders  from  those  under 
whom  he  served.  He  likewise  again  warned  the  American 
commander,  not  to  approach  within  the  reach  of  his  guns  with- 
out expectmg  the  consequences  that  would  attend  it  '^ 

The  only  notice  taken  of  this  last  letter  was,  by  immediately 
setting  fire  to,  and  destroying  every  thing  within  view  of  tfie 
tort,  and  even  under  the  muzzles  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's 
guns.     But  no  attempt  was  made  by  Major  Campbell  to  carry  his 
threat  into  execution.     Among  the  property  thus  destroyed  were 
bams  and  fields  of  corn,  above  and  below  the  fort,  togtjther  with 
"the  barns,  stores,  and  property  of  Colonel  M'Kee,  the  British 
"Indian  Agent  and  principal  stimulator  of  the  war  between  the 
« United  btates  and  the  savages."*     The  American  army  lav 
three  days  before  the  fort,  when  it  returned  to  the  Grand  Glaize 
arriving  at  that  place  on  the  28th  of  August.     A  vast  destruc- 
tion of  Indian  property  took  place  during  this  expedition      The 
Miamis  and  Grand  Glaize  ran  through  the  heart  of  the  country 
of  the  hostile  Indians.     «  The  very  extensive  and  hi<rhly  cul 
"tivated  fields  and  gardens  showed  the  work  of  many  hands 
"The  margins  of  those  beautiful  rivers  the  Miamis  of  the  lakes* 
"and  the  Au  Glaize,"  wrote  General  Wayne,  "appeared  lik-  ont' 
"continued  village  for  many  miles;  nor  have  I  ever  before  be- 
"held  such  immense  fields  of  corn  in  .iny  part  of  America,  from 
"  Canada  to  Florida."!    All  were  laid  waste  for  twenty  miles  on 
each  side  of  the  river,  and  forts  erected  to  prevent  the  return  of 
the  Indians. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  Indians  were  o-rievously 
disappointed  in  the  conduct  of  Major  Campbell  duri^no-  the  ac- 
tion. Among  the  papers  of  Captain  Brant,  is  the  copy°of  a  let- 
ter  addressed  by  him  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  in  April,  1700  where 
in  the  Baronet  is  reminded  of  various  wrongs  alleged  'to  have 
been  suffered  by  the  Indians,  at  the  hands  even  of  his  Majesty's 
government.  The  following  remarkable  passas-e  in  this  letter 
induces  a  belief  that  the  Indians  expected  that,^in  the  event  of 

♦  Letter  of  General  Wayne.    State  Papers,  Vol.  IV. 
t  Letter  of  Geneful  Wayne  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 


*        it 


^^<    'F' 


Mm*     ■»• 

la'*    *■' 


I  * .. «  "* 


:  * 
I::  :  » 


390 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1794. 


'■'»•&  >■' 


•|= 


defeat,  the  garrison  would  come  to  their  succor,  or,  at  least,  that 
the  gates  of  the  fortress  would  be  thrown  open  to  them  as  a 
place  of  refuge  on  their  retreat : — "  In  the  first  place,"  wrote  tlio 
Mohawk  Cliief  to  Sir  John,  "  the  Indians  were  engaged  in  a  war 
"  to  assist  the  English — then  left  in  the  lurch  at  the  peace,  to 
"  fight  alone  until  they  could  make  peace  for  themselves.  After 
"  repeatedly  defeating  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  so  that 
"  the]/  sent  Commissioners  to  endeavor  to  get  peace,  the  Indians 
"  were  so  advised  as  prevented  them  from  listening  to  any  terms, 
"  and  hopes  were  given  to  them  of  assistance.  A  fort  was  even 
"  built  in  their  country,  under  pretence  of  giving  refuge  in  case 
"  of  necessity  ;  but  when  that  time  came,  the  gates  were  shut 
"  against  them  as  enemies.  They  were  doubly  injured  by  this, 
"  because  they  relied  on  it  for  support,  and  were  deceived.  Was 
"  it  not  for  this  reliance  of  mutual  support,  their  conduct  would 
"  have  been  different.  I  imagine  that  your  own  knowledge  of 
"  these  things,  and  judgment,  will  point  out  to  you  the  necessity 
"  of  putting  the  line  of  conduct  with  the  Indians  on  a  morp 
"  honorable  footing,  and  come  as  nigh  as  possible  to  what  it  was 
"  in  the  time  of  your  father." 

Considering  the  distance,  and  the  difiiculties  of  travelling  at 
thattime,  intelligence  of  the  disaster  which  had  befallen  his  Indian 
friends  was  very  rapidly  conveyed  to  Governor  Simcoe  at  Nia- 
gara, and  by  him  communicated  to  Captain  Brant  in  the  follow- 
ing letter : — 

Governor  Simcoe  to  Captain  Buant. 

"  Navy  Hall,  28th  August,  1794. 
"  Dear  Sir, 
"  I  understand  that  the  Indians  and  Wayne  had  an  action  on 
the  20th  near  McCormack's ;  that  the  Indians,  who  amounted 
to  nine  hundred,  retreated  widi  the  loss  of  some  principal  chiefs 
of  the  Hurons,  Ottawas,  and  Shawanese;  a  deserter  reports  that 
the  Americans  lost  an  hundred  men. 

"The  Wyandots,  and  a  friend*  of  your's,  most  gallantly 
covered  the  retreat. 

"  The  Indians  having  retreated  to  the  Miami  Bay,  Major 
Campbell  was  summoned  to  deliver  the  post,  which  of  course 

•  Although  the  fact  does  not  appear,  yet  it  is  believed  that  a  goodly  number  of 
the  Mohawk  warriors  were  in  the  battle  against  Wayne,  and  Brant  was  likewise  to 


1794.J 


BIAPES   AND   OHEAT    BRITIAN. 


391 


I  imajiue  8w,m  CreelJ  whe '1  ^      °"  ""^'''ao^''^  position, 
I  Impo  will  recover  Mr  spirU,^  ™' '"  «'°''"<^'=™»«,  and 

your  faithful  humble  servant  '         T;''  ^'"'^^  ¥«te, 

"  To  Captain  Brani."      '  ^'  ^^mcoe.  , 

The  difficulties  between  Grr.nf  R..;f„,-         ,   , 
no.  h.vi„,  ,e.  been  ad™,S  ^a'^     rTe  ^e^^hff  ^'""^^ 

s-andin,  .,eir  sig„a,*:J:t;  °  tI' Sm  S^' "°'"'*- 
raoreover,  wilhm  the  territory  „ot  „„iv  "°  ^-^^'o™  Pos^, 

wi.l.in.hebouadariesof  thesLeof  N^!,  V    '  ""•■"'  ''"' 

ly  retained,  while  an  atlemnt  ZT      ,    ""^  "*>  »'™  obsliuate- 

.oryonthe'sonth  sfdeo  Tal  o"  a'f  '"f  "»^°''^"-»'  '"ri- 
mer of  this  year,  that  Caofail  w  il  ™'  ''"""S  *=  S™- 
-  on  the^are'at  s'odX.l!  ^o™  :r^  ^"'- 

;"-.*t„Br-r.tsrs^r:™;::«;--t? 

have  been  in  the  field  with  them      Severn  I  v        <v  "^"  l"e  Unef, 

in  a  conversation  with,  the  ver;rabt  I    r^n^if  p::^'''t',™"  ''''''  '"^^  ^^'^ 
"ne.    The  Chief  stated  to  Mr!  Snell  that  he  ohr    '      \  ^     '"'"'  ^'''''>  '"  ?"'''- 

^es  respecting  it  shall  be  mutually  and  fin'  a  td  "  eTu  '"'  "'""=  '^''^^•"'• 
part  of  the  Indian  territory,  either  for  the  p  fpos  „  "J  'r  '  '"""*°"  •""""^ 
be  a  direct  violation  of  his  Britannic  Maiesfv's  H  It  sovereignty,  is  held  to 

efore  the  treaty,  and  has  an  imm  diSlden."  ,  '  "'  ""^  ""<l-fonabIy  existed 
J^'-roy,  that  good  understandirS  .  th/rt  ' t' "">  ""'  '"  "^  P^""-'  '» 
Majesty  and  the  United  States^  Americ  t^^^  ''^'"^^"  "^'^  «"'-"« 

any  such  aggression."  America.    I  therefore  require  you  to  desist  from 


m 


r, 


VI 


i-»     1 


tf 


•  «««    ■•« 


^ 

M 


803 


LIFK    OP   BRANT. 


[1794. 


bn   '  '' 


f«"  ..  .  „ 


ntfoiiddd  l)y  oiK^  liundred  and  fifty  of  his  warriors— cviJcntly 
lor  llid  purpose  of  c(iiitiiiuiii<r  in  tliu  excrcisii  of  mi  uiifrit.'iidl/ 
iulliioiico  upon  tho  minds  of  the  Indians  against. the  United 
Status.  'V\w  Govornor  was  at  the  fort  near  the  battle- field,  on 
tijo  UOtli  of  iSdpteiiihcr,  as  also  were  Captain  Urant  and  Colo- 
nel iM'Kee.  The  Indians  had  already  made  some  advances  to 
Gi^neral  Wtiyno  toward  a  negotiation  for  peace  ;  but  their  at- 
tcnlion  was  diverted  by  Simcoe  and  Brant,  who  invited  a  eomi- 
cil  of  the  hostile  nations  to  assemble  at  the  mouth  of  the  \)c 
troit  riviM'  on  tlui  lOth  of  October.  This  invitation  was  accept- 
ed, as  also  was  an  invitation  from  General  Wayne,  who  was  met 
by  a  \\m  of  their  Chiefs;  so  that  tho  wily  savages  were  in  llicc 
sitting  in  two  councils  at  once,  balancing  chances,  and  preparing 
to  mal<(!  piiace  only  in  the  event  of  finding  littli'  firthor  encou- 
ragement to  light. 

At  (he  council  on  the  10th  of  October,  the  Wyandot  Chiefs  ad- 
dressed Governor  Simcoe  as  follows: — 

"  l''A'riiKii :  We  request  of  you  to  give  your  sentiments  rmi- 
didly  :  wo  iiave  been  these  many  years  in  wars  and  troultlcs : 
you  havf!,  from  time  to  time,  promised  us  your  assislaiice. 
When  is  your  promise  to  bo  fulfilled  7" 

Thkir  Fathek's  Answer. 

"  Cmr.nnEN  :  Your  question  is  very  difficult  to  be  answered. 
I  will  relate  an  ancient  history,  perhaps  before  any  of  you  here 
were  horn.  When  I  first  came  into  this  coiuitry,  I  found  it  in 
tho  possession  of  your  fathers,  the  French.  We  soon  became 
enemies  of  eacli  other.  In  time,  the  Great  Spirit  above  gave 
tho  coiupiest  in  my  favor.  In  those  days  the  United  States 
were  my  subjects.  We  lived  in  this  •^♦••te  for  many  years  after. 
At  last  tho  Americans  began  to  act  independently,  which  caused 
a  rupture  between  us.  The  contest  lasted  for  a  while.  At  last 
wo  made  peace.  From  that  period  they  have  been  encroaching 
tipon  your  lauds.  I  looked  on  as  a  spectator — never  would  say 
a  word  ;  they  have  even  named  the  rivers  tliat  empty  themsolves 
into  tho  Ohio. 

"  Cmi.nuEN :  I  am  still  of  the  opinion  that  the  Ohio  is  your 
right  and  title.  I  have  given  orders  to  the  commandant  of  Fort 
jNIiaini  to  fire  on  the  Americans  whenever  they  make  their  ap- 
pearance again.  I  will  go  down  to  Q,uebec,  and  lay  your 
ijrlevanc'js  before  the  "Teat  man.     From  thence  'he'"  will  be  for- 


1794.] 


CONDUCT   OF   (JOVIWINOK   siMCOj:. 


393 


warded  to  the  Kin^  your  la.I.er.     Next  «,.ri.  .  you  will  know 
tlie  result  ot  every  tliuig,  wlint  you  and  I  will  d o  " 

TI.0  particulars  of  this  co.uicii,  and  the  labor,  of  Oovornor 
S.mcoo  and  faptaui  Uraut  in  otherwise  tau.,.eri.i.r  with  the 
mhans,  transpired  through  some  prisoners  taken  hy  General 
U  ay...  and  also  through  the  moans  ofa  eonlidentiaUeputatiou 
01  the  VV  yaudots  of  Sandusky,  wlio  were  disposed  to  peace.  Ac- 
eonl.ng  to  their  statements,  Governor  Sir.ieoe  advised  them  not 
to  l.st.n  to  any  terms  of  pacilicafon,  which  did  not  secure  to 
f-^n  heir  hmg-eontested  boundary.  He  moreover  proposed  to 
then,  to  convey  ail  their  lauds  west  of  that  river  to  the  Kin-r  in 
t...st,  that  a  pretext  might  bo  furnished  for  a  direct  interposhion 

0  i.s  Majesty's  arms  in  their  behalf.  In  furtherance  of  this 
oh,.^f,  00  advised  them  tc  obtain  u  cessation  of  hostilities  until 
the  bprm  r  follnymg  ;  when  a  great  council  of  all  the  warriors 
|md  tribe,  should  take  place,  which  might  call  upon  the  Irtish 
lor  assistance.  The  English  would  at  that  time  be  prei,aiv,d  to 
attack  tlu;  Americans  from  every  <p.artor,  and  would  drive  them 
back  across  the  Ohio,  and  compel  the  restoration  to  the  Indians 

01  tiieir  lands. 

Captain  Urant's  counsel  was  to  the  same  effect.     He  told  Ihem 
to  keep  ^  good  heart  and  be  strong  ;  to  do  as  their  father  ad- 
vised; that  he  would  return  home  at  present  with  his  warriors 
and  come  again  in  the  Spring  with  a  stronger  force.    They  would 
then  have  the  whole  Summer  before  them  for  operations,  and 
the  Americans  would  not  be  able  to  stand  before  them.     He  had 
ahvays  been  successful,  and  with  the  force  they  would  then  be 
able  to  bring  into  the  field,  he  would  ensure  them  a  victory. 
He  to  d  them,  however,  that  he  could  not  attack  the  Americaiis 
at  that  time  as  It  could  do  no  good,  but  would  bring  them  out 
a-auist  the  Indians  willi  more  troops  in  the  Winter.     He  there- 
ore  advised  the  Chiefs  to  amuse  the  Americans  with  a  prospect 
0  peace  until  the  Spring,  when  the  Indians  might  be  ablfto  ' 
tail  upon  and  vanquish  them  unexpectedly. 
There  was  considerable  division  of  opinion  in  the  council; 
-e  Wyandots  being  inclined  to  peace,  and  also  portions  of 
l.e  other  tribes.     But  large  presents  were  given,  and  tJie  coun- 
'|':|  of  I  rant  and  Grvernor  Simcoe  prevailed-the  Indians  re- 
t  'Mig  to  heir  temporary  homes,  consisting  of  huts  and  tents 
111  the  neighhorhood  of  the  fort  at  the  Rapid. 


VOL.  If. 


26 


ac  luipuls.    Captain  Bram, 


*    '      I 


r' 


ii 


w 


*  ••  •    •« 

'Ho*        "Tf  f 


!"•■■• 


9  1 


""•w  '■' 


:i3^ 


'H  • 


■'-I 


394 


LIFK   OF    nilANT. 


[1795. 


liowevnr,  loft  these  councils  uiulor  liigh  displensurc  toward  ilio 
Cliiofs  of  tlio  thrco  principal  tribes,  in  consoqucnco  of  jomc  ne- 
gleet  whicli  ho  construed  into  nn  insult.  Wlint  was  ihn  [)ro- 
cisi!  nnturn  of  the  circumstances,  his  papers  do  not  disclose. 
Hut  among  those  papers,  is  a  letter  from  seven  of  the  (Jliii-fs 
of  those  tribes,  couched  in  terms  of  humble  apology.  Tlio 
following  passages  are  cited  from  this  letter  : — 

"  The  Chiefs  of  the  three  nations  are  very  sorry,  and  in  gr(>at 
trouble,  that  ("olonel  Brant  was  obliged  to  leave  them  so  preci- 
pitately ;  that  it  was  their  intention  to  be  in  the  greatest  friend- 
ship with  him,  and  that  they  intended  to  hold  council  with  him 
immediately  after  tlmt  with  the  Governor  was  fmished. 

"  They  sincerely  liope  Colonel  Brant  will  take  their  apoloiry 
for  not  waiting  upon  him  when  his  messenger  arrived  with  Ins 
pipe.  They  own  themselves  much  in  fault,  but  are  willing  by 
their  future  services  to  convince  him  that  they  esteem  and  honor 
him. 

"  In  token  of  friendship  they  send  Colonel  Brant  their  Union 
belt  of  wampum,  as  a  pledge  that  they  now  will,  and  their  cliil 
dren  in  future  generations  will,  be  in  peace  and  unity  with  him 
and  the  Six  Nations,  and  wish  a  correspondence  to  commence 
immediately  by  express  between  them,  on  the  most  friendly 
terms. 

"  They  have  heard  with  grief  that  L  ^ionel  Brant  departed 
lience  with  a  lieavy  heart  and  full  of  sorrow  for  their  negli- 
gence and  misbehavior,  and  therefore  send  him  an  additional 
string  of  wampum  to  cidighten  his  heart,  and  renew  friendship 
with  him."* 

Such  was  the  posturo  of  Indian  affairs  at  the  close  of  the  year 
1794  ;  and  the  prospect  then  was,  certainly,  that  another  cam- 
paign of  active  hostilities  must  ensue.  But  it  was  otherwise  or- 
dered. The  Indians  themselves  were  growing  weary  of  the 
contest,  and  becoming  more  and  more  convinced  tliat  thny  could 
not  contend  successfully  against  the  Americans,  of  whose  leader, 
General  Wayne,  they  stood  in  great  fear.     Before  the  close  of 

•  Tliis  letter,  or  "  speech  "  as  it  was  callod,  was  sii^ned  as  follows— the  names 
bciii'^  written  in  full  hy  a  genlloriiun  named  William  Bailey,  who  siihscribes  the  pa- 
per a^  a  witness,  and  each  Chief  drawing  h'n  own  mark  rndely  with  the  pen:— 
AiiusinJA,  the  mark  of  a  Fox:  Sowosat — a  Beaver:  CIuageewon— a  Crane 
Cucheiiwa3kiseeci;a— -a  Hatchet:  Bouemawcutu3— a  ^Foi/-  Gowsowainse— a 
Turtle :  CLAPPUM^-an  Jirroxo-ktqd, 


1706.J 


CLOSE   OF   THE    WAK. 


395 


tf.o  -snason,  U  ,yns  nscortaincd  that  the  warriors  from  «  disfmco 
w.T.>  r.-cro,s.s.n,  tl.o  Mississippi,  d.clarin,  that  i   2  us  o 

,  '*^  "  •'^""/  «>l  all  these  circninstaiices  was.  tliat  hv  th« 

""J  <lostru.tivo  war,  which  In  "fi    ^         '         '"'?'  ^^P^"«'ve, 
r     .■  ''■'"  ^'^'^ '^f^'ii^'ny  years  desolatpfl  fhnf  ' 

fd  TCr  '"";"'";'''  '"  '^  "'"'"^'^  PerJly^satisttorTfo     « 
'""d  States.     In  tho  lauiru^.e  of  Captain  Urant  in  ono  If    ' 

l-oHou.  tho   Mm„n  fort,  and  other  circumstances,  that  thev 

urut  IJntuui,  did  not  longer  oppose  the  Americans  with  their 

Vayne,  by  tho  peaceable  language  he  held  to  them,  induced 
them  to  hold  a  treaty  at  his  own  head-<iuarters,  in  vWcl  he 
"concludod  a  peace  entirely  on  his  own  terms  '    TO  Is 
event  closed  tho  nulitary  career  of  Joseph  Braut--ThayendJi: 


f , 


i 


: 


I'  ,   I 


§ 


|u  >i  .t  «      •• 


«.»,.(. 

K't 

f' ..,« 

•  1 

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»  1,  • 

^ 

r.  ' 

«» 

**  ' 

^> 

^ 

Pf« 

'*    .<• 

••il 

•rp 


CHAPTER  Xlir. 

Thayondanegca  in  civil  life— His  nctivity— His  efiiirts  to  accelerate  the  civilization 
of  iiis  peopli!— Difficulties  rnspcctina;  the  title  to  his  lands — Siiccrsaive  Couniils 
iind  Sppi'cliRS — Governor  Sitncoe  lenvia  the  province — Captain  Clans  nppiiintod 
to  the  Indian  A^ncy — President  Russell — Brunt's  Speeches  asserting  the  b1)So- 
lu  e  Independence  and  Nationality  of  his  people — Letter  to  Sir  John  Johnson- 
Correspondence  with  Lord  Porchester — 1  he  Count  de  Pnisy — Letter  of  Btant 
to  Thomas  Morris— Sharp  correspondence  with  Sir  John  Johnson — The  St.  Re- 
gis and  Caugtinavvaga  Indians,  and  tjie  State  of  New- York  involved  in  the  l&nd 
controversy— Brarit's  diilieul'ies  with  the  Cau^hnawngas — Letter  to  Thomas 
Monii! — Brant's  visit  to  the  Cau^hnawagas — Council — Satisfactuiy  explanations 
— Fresh  dilfieulties  at  home — Norton's  Mission  to  En<;laiul— Plots  agr.inst  the 
character  of  Brant — Alienation  of  sorn(!  of  his  friends — Conspiracy  to  depose  him 
—  lied  Jacket  and  Fanner's  Broiler  active  in  the  plot — Character  of  Ued  Jacket 
— Brant  deposed  hy  an  illegal  Council — Letter  to  the  Duke  of  Northunilierland- 
A  legal  Council  convoked — Brant  meets  his  accusers,  and  defends  himself— 
Another  Council — Speech  of  Brant — Acquitted  of  all  charges  against  hirn- 
Conneil  after  the  return  of  Norton  from  Un island — Proeoedinos  of  Red  Jacket's 
Council  nullified — Brant  re-instated— Letter  to  the  Duke  of  Northumberland- 
Letter  of  the  Duke  in  reply — Last  letter  of  Brant  to  the  Duke. 

The  termination  of  Brant's  military  life  brought  not  there- 
with a  state  of  inactivity.  The  proverbial  indolence  of  his  race 
in  regard  to  all  matters  excepting  the  war-path  and  the  chase, 
was  not  a  characteristic  of  him.  On  the  contrary,  the  history 
of  man  scarcely  supplies  a  parallel  instance  of  such  active,  unre- 
mitting, and  unwearied  public  service,  as  well  in  the  council  as 
in  the  field,  as  was  performed  by  this  celebrated  man,  from  the 
day  when  he  first  fleshed  his  youthful  tomahawk  at  Lake 
George,  until  his  death  more  than  half  a  century  afterward. 
The  war  of  the  American  Revolution  being  ended,  it  has  alrea- 
dy been  seen  that  he  early  thereafter  directed  his  attention  to 
the  improvement  of  the  moral  and  social  condition  of  his  na- 
tion. Nor  did  he  lose  sight  of  this  object  during  the  years  of 
his  active  interposition  in  the  complicated  afliiirs  of  the  western 
nations  with  the  United  States. 

Mention  has  been  made  in  a  former  chapter  of  the  difficul- 
ties in  which,  subsequent  to  the  Revolution,  the  Six  Nations 
were  involved,  respecting  their  lands  in  the  State  of  New-York, 
the  adjustment  of  which  repeatedly  demanded  the  attention  of 
Captain  Brtmt.  There  were,  likewise,  similar  difficulties  to 
be  adjusted  with  the  purchasers  of  the  Connecticut  reserva- 
tion in  Ohio,  respecting  which  formal  negotiations  were  held. 


1795.] 


CIVILIZATION   OK   HIS    PEOPLE. 


397 


Nor  did  these  constitute  all  his  troubles.     But  a  few  years  had 
elapsed  after  the  grant  of  the  Grand  River  country  had  b  en 

liomcial  Government,  in  r,>.mrd  to  the  nature  of  the  title  bv 
v^hich  the  former  were  to  hold  their  new  possessions     The 
Ch  ef  and  h,s  people  supposed  that  the  territory  allotted  o  them 
had  been  conveyed  m  lee  by  a  perfect  title.     But  in  this  sunno 
sition  they  were  disappointed.     There  is  scar^.-^a  Ler  or" 
more  inviting  section  of  country  in  North  America  th^n  the 
peninsula  formod  by  Lake  Ontario  on  the  east    f  .1..  r 
the  south,  and  Lai.  Huron  on  the  wes^t  Igb  te  uZtZ 
which  flows  the  Grand  River.     The  Indians,  tht.efore  had  no 
long  been  la  the  occupancy  of  their  new  countrtbire    he 

that  in  sn.h      '  T  "^  ^''''''  '^-""^"^'  ^'  '^'^  ^'  once  obvious 
that  in  such  an  attractive  region  of  country  the  approach  ofZ 

white  man  would  soon  circumscribe  the  hfuiting-^rund,  ff 

lerriiory.     He  also  saw,   and   without  recrret    thnf  fJi«  „«■    . 

would  be  to  dnve  his  people  from  the  hunter  to  teg^^u^ 
rate  ;  m  which  case,  while  his  territory  was  too  sma    for  ,' 
onner,  it  would  be  far  larger  than  wodd  be  necessary  fo     he 

latter  condition  of  life.     As  .  compensation  for  the  Joss  of  hi! 

game,  therefore,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  makinrsa  eTof  nn 

brtifof^;^^'^'?  '^^  ^':  ^^^"^«"  ^^"^  i— Ite  fun    for  The' 
bcneiit  of  the  nation,  and  of  leasing  other  portions  in  such  nln 
ner  as  to  ensure  a  perpetual  revenue.     There  was  no  solfi ^^ 
Sign  in  this  project,  fartiier  than  may  be  found  in  the  f^t," 
lus  own  fortunes  were  identified  with  those  "Lpel^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
ever  covetous  Captain  Brant  may  have  been  of  honor .!;! 
he  was  neither  covetous  nor  mercenarv  i„  rl     T  P""^''' 

In  one  of  his  speeches  he  ^eZZ:^:^^^;^^ 
had  never  appropriated  a  dollar  of  money,  or  its  value  in  nh, 
property,  belonging  to  his  nation,  to  his  own  ^  Nor  had  h« 
ever  charged  his  nation  a  dollar  for  his  servic     or  even  for  h 

tr  b  slneTlir  t '''  ^'-'T  ''  ^^^^^^nX 

"  Dusmess.     All   his  personal  wants    nnrl^r  „ii     • 
^.-es,  had  >«„  s„pp,io<lL„  hi3  own";;™    l,„d       """"• 

Ihorc  wns  another  consi,l„r„.in..  —„.-,-.        r,.     , 
.»-.e  .,.  ana  >„,«.  ofUna.' ."X^oZt.' "ne  Z 


rt    '  » 


tf 

1 

1 

1 

■*l  ■>  ta  «  '"^ 

*  K|  «i  te  IH'K 

I*     .      „  ^ 

3        3  «» 


"  'mi 


.  Jl 


398 


Lni-R    OF   BRANT. 


179!: 


anxious  to  promote  tho  civilizntion  of  his  people;  and  in  his 
first  negotiations  witli  Goiionil  Haidimand,  after  the  close  of  the 
war,  he  made  provision  for  tho  erection  of  a  chnrch  and  school- 
house  ;  and  it  is  an  intorostiiig  fact,  that  the  first  temple  erected 
for  the  worship  of  tho  true  God  in  Upper  Canada,  was  built  by 
the  Chief  of  a  people  recently  pagan  ;  and  the  first  bell  which 
summoned  the  people  to  tho  house  of  prayer  in  that  province 
on  the  Christian  Sabbath,  was  carried  thither  by  him.  In  the 
furtherance  of  his  plans  of  civilization,  the  Chief  knew  very 
well  that  an  increasing  contiguous  White  population  would  be 
the  means  of  introducing  such  of  the  common  arts  and  employ 
ments  of  life,  as  would  niiiterinlly  contribute  to  the  comfort  and 
happiness  of  his  people,  while  at  the  same  time  their  progress 
in  civilization  would  bo  greatly  accelerated. 

But  he  had  no  sooner  commenced  disposing  of  some  small 
portions  of  land,  than  tho  colonial  government  raised  objections. 
It  was  alleged  that  his  titlo  was  imperfect — that  a  pre-emptive 
right  to  the  soil  had  boon  retained  by  the  government ;  and,  as  a 
consequence,  that  tho  Indians  had  no  right  to  sell  a  rood  of 
ground,  since  it  was  their's  no  longer  than  they  themselves 
should  occupy  it.  Tho  qnostion  proved  a  fruitful  source  of 
disagreement  between  tho  parties,  and  of  perpetual  vexation  to 
the  old  Chief  until  tho  day  of  his  death.  Council  after  council 
was  holden  upon  tho  subject,  and  conference  after  conference ; 
while  quires  of  manuscript  speeches  and  arguments,  in  Brant's 
own  hand,  yet  remain  to  attest  tlie  sleepless  vigilance  with 
which  he  watched  over  tho  interests  of  his  people,  and  the  zeal 
and  ability  with  which  ho  a^^serted  and  vindicated  their  rights. 

Even  his  friend  Gov(!rnor  Simcoe  was  among  the  most 
strenuous  opponents  of  tho  claim  of  the  Indians  to  the  fee  of  the 
soil,  and  in  one  instance  aftomptod  to  curtail  their  grant  by  di- 
recting the  land  board  to  run  a  line  doe  Avest  from  the  head  of 
Lake  Ontario,  which  would  have  stripped  the  Mohawks  of  the 
fairest  half  of  their  possessions.  On  examining  the  grant  from 
General  Haidimand,  howovcr,  the  Governor  desisted  from  this 
purpose ;  but  still  was  dotorniined  that  the  Indians  should  neither 
lease  nor  sell  any  portion  of  their  grant,  nor  make  any  manner 
of  use  of  it,  excepting  such  portions  as  they  should  cultivate  with 
their  own  hands.  By  thoso  proceedings,  the  situation  of  the 
Indians  was  rendered  tvniy  nncomf)i  table.    Reduced  to  a  nar- 


1795.] 


LAND   CONTROVERSY. 


399 


row  strip  of  land  of  only  twelve  miles  in  breadth,  their  hunt- 
ing was  of  course  seriously  affected ;  while  their  skill  in  a^ricul- 
ture  was  so  imperfect,  that  some  other  resources  were  indispen- 
sable to  their  sustenance. 

■ 

In  order  to  define  more  clearly  and  explicitly  the  rights  of 
the  Indians,  two  other  deeds  were  successively  framed  and  pre- 
sented for  their  acceptance- both  of  which  were  promptly  re- 
jeered,  as  bemg  less  favorable  than  their  original  grant.     Fi- 
nally, in  1795,  Governor  Simcoe  visited  Grand  River  with  his 
councillors,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining,  as  he  said,  the  real 
wishes  and  condition  of  the  Indians.     A  Council  was  holden 
and  the  Chief  delivered  an  elaborate  speech,  containino-  the 
whole  history  of  the  grant,  the  circumstances  under  which  it 
had  been  made,  and  the  difficulties  they  had  been  called  to  en- 
counter.    Among  other  objections,  it  seems  to  have  been  al- 
leged by  the  Provincial  authorities,  as  n.  pretext  for  dealincr 
hardly  by  the  Indians,  that  the  government  had  been  deceived 
m  regard  to  the  location  and  value  of  the  territory.     General 
Haldimand  had  supposed  that  the  territory  in  question  lay  a  long 
distance  from  Niagara,  and  would  not  be  approached  by  a  white 
populaiion  for  an  age  to  come.     These  assertions  were  sternly 
denied  by  Brant,  who  declared  that  the  Commander-in-chie^ 
at  the  time  of  making  the  grant,  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  situation,  its  peculiar  advantages,  and  its  value. 

This  conference  with  Governor  Simcoe  resulted  in  nothino- 
more  than  a  promise  that  the  speech  of  Thayendanegea  should 
be  forwarded  to  Lord  Dorchester.     Governor  Simcoe  left  the 
province  soon  afterward,  and  a  change  was  made  in  the  admi- 
nistraUon  of  the  Indian  department,  by  the  ;i ppoint men t  of  Cap- 
tain Glaus  to  the  Indian  agency  at  Niagara.     It  appears  that 
belore  his  departure,  the  Governor  had  confirmed  such  sales 
as  had  been  previously  made  by  the  Indians ;  but  difficulties 
arose  on  making  the  surveys,  which  once  more  placed  every- 
thing afloat.     The  consequence  was,  that  another  hearing  took 
Place  before  Mr.  Clans  at  Niagara,  in  October,  1796,  at  which, 
111  another  written  speech,  the  Chief  gave  a  historical  arcrnment 
of  his  case.     From  portions  of  this  speech,  it  appears  thai  Upper 
Canada  had  already  become  infested  with  unprincipled  land- 
JODbers,  who  were  the  especial  dislike  of  the  Chief     « I  cannot 
"help  remarking,"  said  he,  "  that  it  appears  to  me  that  certain 


•%,- 


I.  '■  d 


''4 


B'       'U 


■H 

ii 

4 

"A      ■ 

■  '■ 

:  H§  ■. 

1 

?;1* 


■'•■•a     ■•J 


13!  '.   - 


400 


MPK   OF    RRANT. 


m  ^'k 


S-'.-S 


[1796. 


"  cliaracters  here,  who  stood  l)ohind  tlio  counter  during  the  last 
"war,  and  wlioui  wo  know  nothing  about,  are  now  dictating  to 
"your  groat  men.  concerning  our  lands.  I  should  wish  to 
"  know  what  property  tluise  ollicioiis  ])ersons  left  beliind  them 
"  in  their  own  country,  or  wiiethor,  through  their  loyalty,  they 
'  ever  lost  any  I  1  doubt  it  much.  But  'as  well  known  that 
"  scarcely  a  man  amongst  us  hut  what  sacrificed  more  or  loss 
"  property  by  leaving  orir  hom(!s.  I  again  repeat,  that  if  these 
"otlicious  persons  have  made  the  smallest  sacrifice  of  property 
"then  I  think  they  may  in  some  measure  be  allowed  to  inter 
"  fere,  although  it  may  he  well  known  that  personal  interest 
''prompts  them  to  it,  not  tlie  public  good." 

This  speech,  the  Chief  declared,  should  he  his  final  effort  to 
obtain  justice?  from  the  "  great  men  below  " — the  provincial  go- 
vernment meaning.  If  not  successful-  there,  he  declared  liis 
purpose  of  proceeding  to  England,  and  bringing  his  case  in 
person  before  the  King.  But  this  resolution  was  contingent, 
and  was  not  kept.  On  the  departure  of  Governor  Simcoe,  the 
Executive  government  of  the  colony  devolved  upon  the  Hon, 
Peter  Russell,  President  of  the  Executive  Council  of  the  pro- 
vince. For  the  more  convenient  administration  of  the  Indian 
affairs  of  the  province,  Mr,  Russell  was  clothed  with  all  the 
powers  upon  that  subject  previously  exercised  by  the  General- 
in-chief  at  Q,uebec,  acting  under  the  advice  of  the  Superintend- 
ent-General of  Indian  Affairs,  Sir  John  .Tohnson.  Captain 
Brant  lost  no  time  in  bringing  the  subject  of  his  land  title  be 
fore  Mr.  Russell,  and  he  speedily  succeeded  in  part.  The  sales 
already  made  were  confirmed,  and  the  old  Chief  wrote  to  his 
friend  and  correspondent,  Thomas  Morris,  Esq.,  then  a  resi- 
dent of  Canandaigua,  that  their  difficulties  respecting  lands 
were  nearly  removed,  and  he  had  reason  to  believe  that  hence- 
forth their  affairs  would  go  on  to  their  satisfaction.*  The 
basis  of  the  arrangement  sanctioned  by  the  acting  Governor, 
was,  that  the  lands  then  sold,  or  intended  to  be  sold,  .<y  the  In- 
dians, should  be  surrendered  to  the  government,  which,  upon 
the  good  faith  of  the  agreement,  was  to  issue  grants  to  the  per- 

•  Letter  to  Thomas  Morris,  Esq.,  July  30,  1797.  [Mr.  Morris  Iins  fiirnl'hcd  the 
author  with  a  package  of  letters  from  Capt.  Brant,  written  between  the  years  1796 
nnil  ISOl,  wliich,  ihoujih  chiefly  upon  private  business,  have  neverthclepa  hcen 
found  of  use  in  the  present  work.] 


^r 


179G.] 


LAND   CONrRCVERSY. 


401 


sons  nominated  as  purchasers  by  the  a-rent  transacting  the  lan.l 
business  of  the  nation.     Captain  lirant  was  acting  in  That  capa- 
city.    1  lie  lands  wore  of  course  to  be  morttraged  as  security  for 
the  payment  of  the  principal  and  interest  of  the  purchase  mo- 
ney    It  w*s,  moreover,  the  duty  of  the  Agent  to  appoint  three 
tnistoes  to  receive  the  payments  in  trust  for  the  Indians,  and 
to  foreclose  the  mortgages  in  cases  of  default-the  lands  to  revert 
to  the  Indians.     Captain  Brant  fulfilled  his  part  of  the  agree- 
niont  to  the  letter  ;  but  the  government  failed  altogether  to  com- 
ply with  Its  own  corresponding  duty.     Some  of  the  purchasers 
had  paid  their  interest  for  several  years,  but  could  not  obtain  their 
titles  ;  others  died,  and  the  heirs  were  in  the  like  predicament. 
an.l.  the  whole  busmess  became  involved  more  than  ever  ■n 
d./ficalty.     Added  to  all  which,  as  the  Indians  themselves  im- 
proved in  their  agricultural  labors,  the  system  of  possessino-  all 
things  in  common  operated  unequally,  and  interposed  great  em 
barrassments  to  individual  industry.    But  so  long  as  the  o-ovcrn- 
ment  refused  to  the  Indians  the  privilege  of  disposing  of^he  fee 
of  the  soil,  the  nation  could  not  convey  any  portion  of  its  own 
domain  to  its  own  people.* 

There  were  other  difficulties  in  the  business,  which  it  would 
be  tedious  to  enumerate,  the  result  of  all  which  was,  that  the  ar- 
rangement was  in  fact  a  nullity.     Not  only  so,  but  the  Mo- 
hawks felt  themselves  to  be  an  independent  nation,  and  thev  or 
perhaps  more  correctly  speaking,  their  proud  and  indomitable 
Chief,  could  111  brook  submission  to  such  a  species  of  <r„ardiaM 
sup.     The  "  satisfaction  "  arising  from  the  arrangemont  under 
the  auspices  of  President  Russell,  was  consequently  of  but  short 
continuance,  and  the  Captain  was  compelled  to  fight  his  land  bat 
ties  over  again.    Many  were  the  councils  and  conferences  which 
succeeded    m  all  of  which  Brant  was  the   principal  speaker 
ad  defender  of  the  rights  of  his  people  to  the  fee  o[  their 
cinds.     The  design  of  the  British  government  was  to  hold  the 
UniirsI'  t  "'"'"  ^!T>ml-ge,  according  to  the  practice  of  the 
Lnited  Sra  es  ;  and  consequently  to  allow  them  merely  the  oc 
cupancyof   '^nds  of  which  the  government  claimed  L  title. 
But  neitl:ei  the  Mohawks  nor  their  indefatigable  leader  would 
bsten  to  any  such  doctrine  ;  always,  on  all  occasions  asserting. 

♦  Momorial  of  John  Norton  to  the  Marquis  of  Cur  d  ■„. 


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4U2 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1796 


their  own  complete  and  entire  independence  as  a  nation.  Thoy 
were  au  independent  nation  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk,  ar- 
gued the  Chief  in  one  of  his  speeches,*  and  were  the  undisputed 
owners  of  the  soil  of  their  conntry.  Their  right  in  this  respect 
hud  never  been  questioned.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  they 
had  relinquished  their  country — their  all — because  of  their 
friendship  and  loyalty  to  the  King.  "  In  the  year  1775,"  said 
the  old  Chief  in  the  speech  now  referred  to,  "  Lord  Dorchester, 
"  then  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  at  a  very  numerous  council,  gave  us 
"  every  encouragement,  and  requested  us  to  assist  j  defending 
"  their  country,  and  to  take  an;  active  part  in  defending  his  Ma- 
"  jesty's  possessions  ;  stating,  that  when  the  happy  day  of  peace 
"  should  arrive,  and  should  we  not  prove  successful  in  the  contest, 
"  that  he  would  put  us  on  the  same  footing  in  which  we  stood  pre- 
"  vious  to  our  joining  him.  This  flattering  promise  was  pleas 
"  ing  to  us,  and  gave  us  spirit  to  embark  heartily  in  his  Majesty's 
"  cause.  We  took  it  for  granted  that  the  word  of  so  great  a 
"  man,  or  any  promises  of  a  public  nature,  would  ever  be  held 
"  sacred."  Again,  in  another  part  of  the  speech,  the  Captain 
remarked : — "  We  were  promised  our  lands  for  our  services, 
'•  and  those  lands  we  were  to  hold  on  the  same  footing  with 
"  those  we  fled  from  at  tho  commencement  of  the  American  war, 
''  when  we  joined,  fought,  and  bled  in  your  cause.  Now  is  pub- 
"  lished  a  proclamation,  forbidding  us  leasing  those  very  lands 
''  that  were  positively  given  us  in  lieu  of  those  of  which  we 
"  were  the  sovereigns  of  the  soil.  This,  brothers,  is  surely  a 
"  contradiction  that  the  least  discerning  person  amongst  you 
"  must  perceive,  and  which  we  think  wonderful.  Of  those 
"  lands  we  have  forsaken,  we  sold,  we  leased,  and  we  gave 
"  away,  when  and  as  often  as  we  saw  fit,  without  hindrance  on 
"  the  part  of  your  government ;  for  youT  goArernment  well  knew 
"  we  were  the  lawful  sovereigns  of  the  soil,  and  they  had  no 
"  right  to  interfere  with  us  as  independent  nations."  In  support 
of  this  assertion,  the  Chief  proceeded  to  enumerate  various  sales 
and  gifts  of  their  lands ;  among  which  he  mentioned  the  large 
and  celebrated  tract  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  commonly  called 

*  Speech  delivered  at  a  meeting  of  the  Chiefs  and  warriors  at  Niagara  beforo  Co- 
lonel SheafTc,  Colonel  Clans,  and  others,  in  August,  1803,  on  the  occasion  of» 
gov  'nment  proclamation  forbidding  the  sale  or  leasing  of  any  of  their  lands  by  th« 
tndians. 


1796.] 


LAND   CONTROVERSY, 


403 


the  Royal  Grant,  and  for  signing  the  conveyance  of  which  the 
Captain  asserted  that  he  received  a  present  of  fifty  pounds. 

The  history  of  the  whole  controversy  was  very  clearly  stat- 
ed in  the  speech  just  cited,  and  the  afgument  throughout  ex- 
ceedingly well   put.     The  Captain,  in  some  of  his%ceches, 
dwelt  with  emphasis  upon  another  feature  of  his  case,  aflbrdin.r 
a  farther  example  of  the  magnanimity  of  the  Mohawks  in  thoir 
dealings  with  the  government,  and  the  want  of  that  attribute  as 
evidenced  in  the  manner  of  their  requital.     The  Indians  never 
asked  of  the  crown  any  cornpansation  for  the  vast  tracts  of  thoir 
hunting-grounds  relinquished  by  adhering  to  the  cause  of  the 
crown.     In  a  letter  written  to  Sir  John  Johnson  at  this  sta^re  of 
the  controversy,  the  veteran  Chief  cut  with  a  two-edged  blade  •  — 
«  You  know  we  demand  nothing  new.     We  have  made  no  do 
"  mand  for  compensation  for  our  hunting-grounds,  which  wero 
"  very  extensive,  nor  for  our  wood-lands  adjoining  our  improve 
"  ments.    All  we  ask  is  a  confirmation  of  our  just  right  to  this 
"  very  land,  which  we  receive  in  lieu  of  those  for  whhjh  we  re 
"ceived  no  compensation.     I  presume  kw  loyalists  have  omit 
"ted  charging,  and  receiving  pay  for  their  woodlands,  as  wo 
"did  ;  many  of  whom  received  lands  who  had  never  possessed 
"  one  foot  before."* 

But  the  prospect  of  obtaining  justice  from  the  Provincial  Go- 
vernment  becoming  less  and  less  favorable  by  the  lapse  of  time, 
the  Chief  again  directed  his  attention  to  the  parent  government! 
Availing  himself  of  the  return  to  Europe  of  the  Count  De  Puisy,' 
whom  he  describes  «  as  a  brother  soldier  and  fellow-sutrercr 
in  the  cause  of  loyalty,"!  the  Captain  placed  in  his  hands  a 
succinct  history  of  the  troubles  he  was  laboring  to  remove,  with 

*  In  a  letter  subseqiienlly  addressed  to  Lord  Dorcheeter,  after  the  relinquishment 
by  that  officer  of  the  Canadian  Government,  Captain  Brant  estimated  those  nunt- 
mg  grounds  rehnquished  by  his  tribe  at  more  tiian  two  millions  of  acres. 

t  In  one  of  Captain  Brant's  speeches,  dated  October  2S,  1800,  this  passag-  cc 
curs:-"  It  had  for  some  time  been  observed  that  the  foo  large,  uninhabited  space 
"between  York  and  the  head  of  the  Lake  was  a  great  inconvenfencetothe.ommu- 
nication  by  land,  we  therefore  thought  it  a  fit  occasion  to  remove  the  difficulty,  by 
•presenting  the  Count  de  Puisy  and  his  adherents  a  tract  of  land  in  this  space- 
■' sympathizing  with  them  as  having  suffered  in  the  cause  of  loyalty,  and  boin.' 
"obliged  to  quit  their  native  climo  on  that  account,  and  seek  an  asylum  in  this  un" 
"cultivated  region.  This  was  objected  to,"  &c.,  &c.  When  the  younger  Brant 
V!«it«!  London,  twenty  years  afterward,  he  refers  to  llie  Count  as  then  living  in  re 
nrement  in  the  neijjhborhood  of  that  capital. 


uMi, 


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404 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1796. 


an  urgent  request  that  he  would  lay  the  same  before  his  Majes- 
ty's ministers.  By  the  same  conveyance  he  likewise  addressed 
a  vigorous  appeal  to  Lord  Dorchester,  then  in  England,  enclos- 
ing to  his  Lordship  a  copy  of  his  original  promise  to  hini 
(Brant)  as  written  down  in  1775,  and  also  the  subsequent  con- 
firmation of  that  promise  by  General  Haldimand.*  He  was, 
moreover,  in  active  correspondence  upoii  the  subject  with  the 
Duke  of  Nortiiumberland,  in  whom  the  Mohawks  had  ever  a 

constant  friend. 

These  attempts  to  enlist  the  parent  government  in  behalf  of 
the  Indian  claim,  were  backed  by  the  mission  to  England  of 
Teyoninhokarawen,  alias  John  Norton,  who  spread  the  case  be- 
fore tlie  ministers  in  a  strong  and  lucid  memorial  addressed  to 
Lord  Camden,  then  one  of  his  Majesty's  ministers.  Among 
other  considerations,  it  was  urged  by  Norton,  that  in  case  their 
lands  should  be  released  from  all  incumbrances,  and  every  tribe 
and  family  be  allowed  to  have  their  just  portion  of  land  con 
firmed  to  them,  the  province  would  be  strengthened  by  the  emi 
gration  thither  of  the  major  part  of  the  tribes  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, who  still  remained  in  the  United  States.  It  had,  doubt- 
less, entered  into  the  policy  of  Brant  to  bring  the  ancient  con- 
federacy of  the  Six  Nations  once  more  together,  within  tlio 
jurisdiction  either  of  England  or  the  United  States.  The 
removal  of  the  Mohawks  into  Canada  had  not  dissolved  the 
union  of  those  nations,  although  their  separation,  thrown,  as 
they  were,  under  the  action  of  different  superior  laws,  and  oblig- 
ed sometimes  to  hold  their  own  councils  within  the  boundary  of 
one  nation,  and  ai  other  times  within  the  limits  of  another,  could 
not  but  be  attended  with  many  embarrassments.  Indeed,  so 
numerous  were  the  difficulties  they  were  obliged  to  encounter, 
and  such  was  the  conduct  of  the  provincial  government  in  re- 
gard to  their  lands,  that  the  Mohawk  Chief,  notwithstanding  his 
attachment  to  the  crown,  had  at  one  period  contemplated  with- 
drawing from  Canada  with  his  people  in  disgust.  That  suoh  a 
project  was  actually  entertained,  appears  by  the  following  left, 
to  his  friend  Morris  :— 

«  The  copy  of  this  letter  to  Lord  Dorchester  is  not  entire.    Two  foolscap  p.ge. 
Qave  only  been  preserved,  or  rather,  all  but  the  firat  two  pages  has  been  losU 


1800.J    PROJECT  OF  KKMOVAL  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES.         405 

Captain  Urant  to  Thomas  Morris,  Esq. 

♦  (secret  and  confidential,) 

"  Grand  River,  December  26,  1800. 
«  Dear  Sir, 

"From  our  friendsliip,  and  the  regard  you  have  continually 
shown  to  Indians  in  general,  I  flatter  myself  you  will  be  so  good 
as  to  assist  in  what  I  am  about  to  communicate  to  you. 

"  There  are  numbers  of  our  people  scattered  about  in  the 
westward  at  Sandusky,  the  Miami,  &c.  I  wish  to  have  them 
collected  in  one  place,  and  for  that  purpose  intend  making  a 
purchase  of  the  Western  Indians,  so  that  any  moving  from  here 
may  also  fitid  a  place  to  go  to.  We  are  certain  that  the  Indians 
there  will  be  very  happy  at  the  proposal,  and  that  they  even 
would  give  it  for  nothing ,  but  we  rather  wish  to  buy,  that  it 
may  be  indisputably  our  own.  The  fovor  I  have  to  ask  of  you 
is,  that  you  wpuld  please  to  oblige  us  so  far  as  to  sound  some  of 
your  friends  in  Congress  if  such  a  thing  could  be  confirmed  by 
them,  for  if  we  should  move  there,  we  would  desire  to  be  under 
the  protection  of  the  United  States.  What  you  may  say  on  the 
subject  to  any  one,  I  hope  you  will  do  it  in  a  confidential  ma.;- 
ner :  you  may  learn  the  general  sentiments  in  the  way  of  con- 
versation, witWit  making  known  our  real  intentions.  The 
reason  of  my  being  so  cautious,  is  the  great  jealousy  of  the 
British. 

«  Dear  .Sir, 

"  I  am  in  truth,    . 

"  Your  sincere  friend 
"  And  lumib.  serv't, 

u  Tti  71*-      •     T-,     ,.  "Jos.  Brant. 

"  Thomas  Morns,  Esq." 

Nothing  farther  is  disclosed  among  the  manuscripts  of  Brant 
respecting  this  design  of  removal  into  the  United  States,  and  the 
suggestion  was  most  likely  owing  to  a  momentary  feelincr  of 
despondency  and  vexation.  But  it  was  his  fortune  soon  after- 
ward to  encounter  an  annoying  circumstance  from  another  and 
most  unexpected  quarter— his  long  and  well-tried  friend.  Sir 
John  Johnson.  The  circumstance  reisrred  to  was  the  receipt 
of  a  letter  from  the  Baronet,  then  at  Niagara,  under  date  of  Sep- 
tember 1st,  1801,  in  which,  after  apologizing  for  his  long  delay 


» 


:l».i 


.       tf 


f-n 


'■»*■>«: 


406 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1801. 


ill  answoring  certain  letters,  from  an  apprehension  that  lie  could 
not  so  Ihuno  Ills  comuumications  as  to  avoid  liurtitTg  llie  old 
Chiuf's  feelings,  the  writer  adverted  to  the  difficnlties  respcctin^r 
the  lands.  He  spoke  of  some  nneasiness  prevailing  at  Grand 
lliver  ;  and  stated  that  he  had  given  his  views,  as  to  these  trou- 
bles, to  (Japtain  Clans,  in  writing,  and  advised  the  Chief  to  aid 
in  getting  np  a  council,  and  adjusting  the  matter  upon  the  basis 
ho  had  proposed.  In  regard  to  the  claim  of  the  Mohawks  upon 
u  portion  of  the  Mississagua  reservation,  the  Baronet  advised  the 
Chief  to  ahandon  it  at  once,  admonishing  him  that  the  govern 
nient  was  detennined,  under  no  circumstances  whatsoever,  to 
sanction  that  claim;  but  on  the  contrary  would  protect  the  Mis- 
sissagtuis  in  the  quiet  and  peaceable  possession  of  all  their  lands. 
The  l(!tter  concluded  as  follows  :— "  Let  me  dierefore  once  more 
"  advi.so  you  to  give  up  all  concern  in  their  affairs,  and  desibt 
"  from  as.sembling  the  different  nations  in  distant  parts  of  the 
"  country,  and  only  attend  to  the  business  of  your  settlement, 
"  except  when  called  upon  by  government  to  do  otherwise  ;  as 
"  it  gives  opening  to  the  world  to  put  unfavorable  constructions 
"on  your  conduct,  which  must  tend  to  lessen  your  consequence 
"  in  the  opinion  of  those  at  the  head  of  affairs  ;  and  I  much  fear 
"  m.»y  do  you  serious  injury.  .  And  as  you  can  have  no  doubt 
"  of  my  friendship  for  you  and  your  fine  family,  I  earnestly  re- 
'  quest  you  will  maturely  weigh  what  I  now  recommend  to 
'•  you,  and  consider  it  as  the  result  of  serious  reflection." 

This  missive  kindled  the  indignation  of  Brant,  and  elicited 
some  spirited  letters  in  reply.  Its  burden  was  the  existence  of 
dilliculties  among  the  Indians  themselves,  arising,  as  the  Baro- 
net had  left  the  Chief  to  infer,  from  their  distrust  of  the  proceed 
ings  of  Brant  himself.  The  council,  which  the  Superintendent- 
General  had  directed  his  Deputy,  Captain  Glaus,  to  convoke, 
had  boon  held,  but  does  not  seem  to  have  been  attended  by  any 
other  results  than  an  entire  exoneration,  by  the  sachems,  of  their 
principal  Chief  from  all  censure.*  The  Captain,  however,  was 
•not  satisfied  with  allowing  the  matter  to  rest  there ;  and  he 
wrote  the  Baronet,  in  a  tone  of  decision,  demanding  specific 
charges,  if  any  could  be  produced  against  him,  accompanied  by 
tho  names  of  his  accusers.    He  likewise  severely  upbraided  the 

*  See  Appendix,  No.  X. 


1801.] 

ofRcfirs  of  th< 
ing  tho  fact 
the  great  In 
sofrcqu-nitly 
conledcracyi 
a  historical  d 
appertaining 
tion,  and  is  a 


(A 


PTA 


«  Dkar 
"When  I. i 
I  promised  to 
should  have 
was  to  hold  f( 
"  He  did  m 
pected,  from 
on  being  mac 
easy,  and  cal 
dians  on  this 
dnct  respectii 
found  to  be  oi 
and  no  real  cl 
rnously  expres 
their  agent  in  1 
at  the  same  tii 
ing  done  in  su 
dual,  which  w 
as  Superintenc 
had  constitute 
satisfied.    Sin( 
seem  quiet.     1 
all  my  transact 
and  expense  I 
of  the  Chiefs  pi 
be  wantonly  ri| 
"  I  hope  you 
formed  you  th 
£      among  the  Gia 


1801.] 


'1 


LETTER   TO   SIR   JOHN   JOHNSON. 


407 


officers  of  the  jrovernmnnt  for  their  conduct  toward  him,  char- 
in?  tho  fact  upon  them,  explicitly,  of  having  not  only  sanctione'd 
the  great  hidian  Confederacy  of  which  there  has  been  occasion 
so  fn>(|n  .nitly  to  speak,  hut  of  having  caused  the  formation  of  that 
conloderacy  under  their  own  immediate  auspices.  This  letter  as 
a  historical  document,  bearing  upon  other  relations  than  those 
appertainmg  to  the  writer,  a.s  an  individual,  deserves  preserva- 
tion,  and  is  accordingly  transcribed  :— 

Captain  Buant  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  Bar't. 

"  Cfrand  River,  November,  1801. 
"DkarSir, 

«  When  I.  answered  your  favor  of  the  first  of  September  last, 
I  promised  to  let  you  hear  farther  from  me  after  the  meeting, 
should  have  taken  place,  whicli  you  then  said  Captain  Claus 
was  to  hold  for  the  purpose  of  satisfying  the  discontented  &c 

"  He  did  not,  however,  do  any  thing  in  the  business,  as  I  ex- 
pected,  from  your  letter,  he  would  have  done  ;  but  the  Chiefs 
on  being  made  acquainted  with  the  contents  of  it,  became  un' 
easy,  and  called  a  scrutiny  to  find  who  it  was  amono-  the  In- 
dians  on  this  rive;  that  had  expressed  dissatisfaction  at  my  con- 
duct  respecting  the  public  lands.     The  dissatisfied  party  was 
found  to  be  only  a  few  of  the  lower  Mohawks,  mostly  women 
and  no  real  chief  among  them.     Afterwards,  the  Chiefs  unani' 
rnously  expressed  their  general  approbation  of  my  conduct  as    • 
their  agent  in  land  matters,  in  a  speech  to  Captain  Claus      They 
at  the  same  time  hinted  at  the  almost  impossibility  of  thino-s  be- 
ing done  in  such  a  manner  as  to  please  every  particular  indivi- 
dual, which  was  also  the  case  in  the  discharge  of  his  own  duty 
as  Superintendent;  but  assured  him  that  they,  the  Chiefs  who 
had  constituted  me  their  agent  inland  affairs,  were  perfectly 
satisfied.     Since  that  I  hear  no  more  of  the  discontented  •  all 
seem  quiet.    Then  I  was  prepared  to  give  a  full  explanation  of 
all  my  transactions,  and  also  put  them  in  mind  of  the  trouble 
and  expense  I  had  been  at  on  their  business  ;  but  this  conduct 
of  the  Chiefs  prevented  me,  thinking  if  I  yet  persevered  it  would 
be  wantonly  ripping  up  old  grievances,  &c. 

"I  hope  you  will  do  me  the  favor  to  let  me  know  who  in- 
formed  you  that  there  prevailed  such  an  universal  discontent 
among  the  Grand  River  Indians  at  my  transactions,  as  you  said 


If-- 


'* 


<t»« 

: 

■**•! 

■*"•■ 

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**   1 

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9 

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m 

M  4    .   ., 

? 

"■'• 

■'■"■I***     u 


LIPR    OP   nUANT. 


[1801. 


was  the  case  ;  and  you  will  infinitely  oblige  tnc  by  making  \m 
acquainted  with  the  author  ol'this  rumor,  which  has  not  a  lillle 
hurt  my  feelings ;  and  it  would  also  give  satisfaction  to  thu 
greater  part  of  the  Chiefs  hero. 

"  Resperting  your  advice  not  to  have  more  councils  of  other 
nations,  <fec.,  the  Chiefs,  both  here  and  at  Bufl'alo,  cannot  com- 
prehend the  meaning  of  it;  and  I  have  been  particularly  re- 
quested, by  two  messengers  from  the  latter,  to  remain  unshaken 
in  my  public  capacity,  and  attend  to  their  common  intQrests  as 
usual ;  I  therefore  hope  you  will  do  me  the  kindness  to  acquaint 
me  with  the  reason  why  I  should  desist  from  attending  any 
councils  of  the  nations  of  the  General  Confederacy  which  we 
formed  under  the  auspices  o;  Great  Britain  ;  and  if  our  friendly 
intercourse  with  each  other  is  supposed  to  be  detrimental  to  the 
interests  of  government,  and  in  what  measure ;  for,  since  the 
year  1760,  I  perfectly  remember  what  has  passed  at  most  coun- 
cils, and  I  never  recollect  an  instance  of  government  interfering 
to  prevent  our  mutual  correspondence,  but,  on  the  contrary,  they 
have  rather  encouraged  our  uniting.     Should  it  therefore  be  the 
case,  that  what  formerly  gave  satisfaction,  has  now  quite  a  dif- 
ferent effect,  it  will  be  very  difficult  for  me  to  not  so  as  not  to 
get  censured,  without  I  am  w^  11  acquainted  with  the  change  of 
politics.     Also,  the  serious  consequences  you  mention,  that  the 
not  complying  with  your  advice  may  be  of  to  me,  I  would  je 
glad  to  know  what  if  is.     1  hope  that  law-,  and  customs  are  not 
so  far  changed,  as  that  punishment  is  fust  to  be  inflicted,  and 
the  trial  brought  on  afterwards,  and  you  should  give  me  no 
plainer  hint  of  it  than  that.     In  short,  your  advice  seems  no  other 
than  a  threat  in  disguise.    Still,  my  dear  friend,  don't  think  that 
1  suspect  you  to  be  the  author  of  it ;  but  rather  ^hat  you  have 
softened  the  original  so  as  to  save  my  feelings. 

"  During  the  war,  although  I  bore  the  commission  of  a  cap- 
tain, I  never  received  commands  as  such,  but  acted  as  War 
Chief,  which  I  believe  was  of  more  utility  than  if  I  had  been  in 
the  other  capacity —generally  having  more  tnen  unJer  tny 
command  than  is  customary  for  one  of  that  rank.  Since  the 
peace,  I  have  attended  to  our  affairs  as  a  sachem.  I  never  s'lp- 
posed  it  to  be  wrong  my  so  doing  ;  if  it  is  so,  I  could  wish  to 
have  written  instructions  how  I  am  to  conduct  myself,  so  as  to 
prevent  the  serious  consequences  spoken  of,  by  which,  probahlv, 


1801.] 


MlHSrON   OF   NOIITON   TO    ENQLANU. 


409 


may  ho  iruu.rit  ll.o  tukiiig  from  mo  my  Imlf-pay  or  p.-nsion.  I 
hopo  to  l.uvo  tl.o  pleasure  to  hear  from  you  aa  soou  us  possible  . 
at  tlio  tiauu)  tiujo  I  reinuin 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  very  humble 

"  And  obed't  servant, 

,,  ,,.       r  ,        ,  ,  "  Jos.  RhanT 

«  &ir  John  Johnson,  Bar^iJ^ 

Norton  had  hentj  furnished  by  Brant  with  letters  to  his  friends 
in  I'^iifjlaiid,  and  nnion;j:  Hicm  to  the  Duke  of  Northumberland 
wlio  M,l..rest..<l  himself  warmly  in  behalf  of  the  object  of  his 
mission.     fSuch,  moreover,  were  the  zeal  and  ability  with  which 
hcdischar^rnd  the  duties  of  his  errand,  that  for  a  time  there 
was  a  prospect  of  his  mission  being  crowned  with  entire  sue- 
coss.     'J'he  d„.MNion  of  the  ministers  was  favorable  to  the  In- 
diaiis,  and  h-tters  to  that  eflect  were  dispatched  to  the  Provincial 
frovernmont.     These,  however,  wo.     ,„„    ^y  ^„  unexpected 
niovetnent  nt  home,  which  palsi<       ..e  exertions  of  ihe  acreni 
aiui  caused  \m  return  with  hor.,s  at  lea.st  deferred,  if  not  blLdit' 
ed.     The  cnttso  of  this  untoward  change  in  the  course  of^tho 
parent  government  will  be  d..veIo,)ed  in  a  few  succeedino-  pncres 
It  appears  that  in  the  course  of  the  controversy  viofent  dis- 
agreements  had  arLsen  between  Captain  Brant  and  the  Deputy 
Suponntend.mt,  which  were  ultimately  embittered  by  mutual 
allegations  of  pocun,  .ry  delinquency.     A  charge  of  this  desciip 
tion  had  bo(,n  made  agr.inst  Brant,  a  few  years  before,  in  con 
nexioii  with  u  negotiation  between  the  govermnent  of  the  State 
of  Now- York  and  the  Caughnawaga  and  St.  Regis  Indians  call- 
ing themselves  the  S.'ven  Nations  of  Canada.     These  nations  as 
flic  reader  has  been  informed  in  a  former  part  of  the  present  work 
were  clans  of  tho  Mohawks,  who  had  long  before  separated  from 
til.-'  prmcipul  tiulion,  and  settled  upon  the  banks  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence,   In  the  year  1792,  they  sent  a  deputation  to  the  aovern- 
mout  of  tho  Stnto  of  New-York,  claiming  a  tract  of  land  cover- 
ing a  largo  portion  of  the  northern  part  of  the  state  ;  all,  indeed, 
lyni-  between  Lake  Champlain  on  the  East,  and  the  head  waters 
ot  the  Mohawk  on  the  West,  bounded  north  by  the  St.  Law- 
r.mce,and  south  by  a  line  to  be  drawn  from  a  point  between 
run  i:.dwara  and  Luko  George  to  the  junction  of  Canada  Creek 

VOL.  IT.  27 


*i|»a    '•» 


•  ••■    ■»• 

is'.ti   1^ 


'■•'.■       IM 


410 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1801. 


'"•5  ^ 


■■n   t 


"    "i. 


with  the  Mohawk  River,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Little  Falls. 
This  extensive  claim  was  resisted  by  the    state  upon  several 
grounds.     One  of  these  was,  that  the  Indian  title  had  been  ex- 
tinguished to   a   portion  of  the   territory  in    question  by  the 
French  ;  another,  that  several  patents  from  the  English  crown 
had  extinguished  their  title  to  other  portions  of  it ;  added  to  all 
which,  it  wa.s  held  by  tho  state  that  the  Caughnawagas  had 
never  any  just  title  to  the  land,  inasmuch  as  it  originally  be- 
longed to  the  Six  Nations,  of  whom  the  claimants  formed  but  a 
small  number.     As  proof  of  this  position,  it  was  contended  by 
the  state  that  the  Six  Nations  had  themselves  sold  this  same 
territory,  together  with  a  large  additional  tract,  extending  from 
the  Mohawk  River  to  the  Pennsylvania  line,  to  Colonel  John 
Livingston.     This  sale  to  Colonel  Livingston  was  first  made  by 
forty-five  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  in  1787,  and  was  confirmed 
in  tiie  following  year,  by  a  second  deed,  signed  by  sixty-five  ot 
their  chiefs,  and  witnessed  by  Colonel  John  Butler  and  Joseph 
Brant.     The  purchase  by  Colonel  Livingston  being  unconstitu- 
tional, was  annulled ;  but  the  fact  that  such  a  sale  had  been 
niade  by  the  Six  Nations  at  large,  was  adduced  against  the  claim 
of  the  Caughnawagas,  by  way  of  showing  that  it  was  untbuiid- 
ed.     Still  as  the  St.  Regis  and  Caughnawaga  Indians  persisted 
in  their   claim,  a  commission,  consisting   of  Egbert  Benson, 
Richard  Varick,  and  James  Watson,  was  appointed  to  treat  with 
their  Ciiiefs  upon  the  subject ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  Summer 
of  the  year  1796  that  an  arrangement  was  effected,  by  virtue  oi 
which  the  Seven  Nations  relinquished  their  claim,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the'  St.  Regis  reservation,  for  a  small  sum  in  hand 
paid,  and  a  yet  smaller  perpetual  aimuity. 

It  was  as  a  witness  only  to  the  deed  of  sale  to  Colonel 
Livingston,  that  the  name  of  Captain  Brant  came  to  be  involved 
in  this  controversy.  The  Commissioners  maintained  to  the 
last  that  the  Six  Nations  had' sold  the  lands,  and  that  their  great 
chief.  Brant,  was  a  witness  to  the  sale.  In  reply  to  which,  the 
Caughnawagas  insisted  that  the  Six  Nations  had  no  more  right 
to  sell  the  lands  they  claimed  than  they  had  to  dispose  of  the 
city  of  New- York."  The  Caughnawaga  Chiefs,  probably,  did 
not  exactly  understand  the  case  of  the  sale  to  Colonel  Living- 

»  Tftik  of  tho  Seven  Naiioris,  delivered  to  the  Commissioners  at  Albany,  May, 
1796. 


1799.J       CONTROVERSY   WITH   THE   CAUGHNAWAGAS.  4U 

ston,  which  was  set  a^ide  as  being  contrary  to  the  fundamental 
h^v  of  the  state,  nor  the  position  in  which  the  name  of  Joseph 
Bra.U  stood  upon  the   deed.     On  the  contrary,  they  seem  to 
have  been  impressed  with  an  idea  that  Brant  and  the  Mohawi^s 
had  been  selimg  their  lands  to  the  state.     The  consequence 
was  a  controversy  between  the   Caughnawagas  and  the  Mo- 
liawks  which  gave  the  old  Chief  an  infinite  deal  of  trouble- 
even  after  the  affair  between  the  former  and  the  State  of  New 
York  had  been  amicably  closed.     The  charges  of  the  Caucrh 
nawagas  amounted  to  this-that  Brant  and  the  Mohawks  had 
sold  heir  lands  to  the  state,  and  pocketed  the  avails.     Brant 
lepe  led   he  charge  with  indignation.     In  regard  to  the  deed  oi 
sale  to  ^vh.ch  he  was  a  witness,  he  affirmed  that  not  a  foot  of 
the  tern  ory  claimed  by  the  Caughnawagas  was  embraced  within 
i ,  b.U  that  the  sale  was  of  a  portion  only  of  lands  helon<rm.  to 
0  feenecas      He  demanded  of  the  Caughnawagas  their "au- 
thonty  for  the  charge  against  himself  and  the  Grand  River  In- 
dians.     They  replied,  that  their  information  was  derived  from 
the  representations  of  the  officers  of  the  State  of  New- York  at 
Albany.    Brant  opened  a  correspondence  with  George  Clinton  * 
and  Governor  Jay  upon  the  subject,  the  negotiations  havino- 
commenced  under  the  administration  of  the  former  and  been 
concluded  under  the  latter.    But  not  satisfied  with  any  thin" 
resu  ting  from  the  correspondence,  he  caused  u  deputation  o^f 
his  tribe  to  repair  to  Albany,!  at  the  head  of  which  was  his 

•  See  Appendix,  No.  XI. 

t  Brant  hod  previously,  in  1797,  visited  Albany  on  the  same  b.„in«c 
pan.ed  by  Corn-pianter  and  two  or  three  other  sacherns     ArrW  n  "Z'a  oTaH^ 
-n  iho  even.ng    Brant  called  wi,h  his  party  upon  Major  HendTi  L  pTey    Z 
ad  served  .n  the  cause  of  the  crown  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution  bln^r 
turned  lo  h.s  native  county  after  the  close  of  the  contest     THp  n,  ,1  r  n 

«i.h  Prey  was  li.e  that  of  two  brothers.     The      r^aS  on  J     „  a  S'  w.^ 
they  had  a  merry  time  of  it  during  the  live-long  nieht    Manv  of  LlmT'   . 

fc  p,— .  ..,1,.  c«™.pi.„„,  .'a  h.  w„VuS.  .b.:  A;L?i„ " :;  "■  °' 
::  jRi'",'  ?"==:.*"■'  "%"• ""  "^™  ""i"^"  *•  i^ttr 

tms  oftke  author  ««A  Dr.  Jonathan  Eight,  of  many  who  beZatlhT 
ruident  v,ilh  Major  Frcy,  wo,  o„«  of  th* party.]  ^'        '      ^  "*  '**  '""*  " 


■iiy       h     '^ 


■t^L 


.  j"  j« 


u 


"ii«, 


"k 


412 


LIPR    OP   BRANT. 


[1799 


adopted  nephew,  John  Norton,  to  meet  a  similar  deputation 
from  the  Caughnawajjas,  face  to  face,  and  to  require  his  ac- 
cusers connected  with  the  governr-.ent  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  cither  to  suhstnntiiito  their  charges  or  acquit  him  in  tlio 
presence  of  both  dologulions.  '^I'lie  papers  of  Captain  Brant  are 
pretty  full  in  regard  to  this  controversy,  which  seems  to  have 
alfected  him  witii  tho  keenest  sensibility.  The  result  of  tliis 
double  mission  to  Albany,  however,  does  not  exactly  appear, 
save  that  the  Chief  was  not  well  satisfied  with  it.  At  least  thus 
much  is  evident  from  tho  tone  of  the  annexed  letter  to  his 
friend,  Thomas  Morris,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  New-York  at  that  time,  and  to  whom  he  had  given  his 
deputies  letters  of  introduction  : — 

Captain  Brant  to  Thomas  Morris,  Esa. 

«  Grand  River,  April  4,  1799. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

« It  is  now  some  time  since  tlie  return  of  Mr.  Norton  and 
the  Cayuga  Chiefs  from  Albany:  they  have  acquainted  me 
with  their  treatment  tluirc,  and  that  of  the  business  they  went 
on  ;  and  particularly  of  your  friendship  and  assistance  to  them 
while  there;  for  v/hicll  I  could  not  omit  taking  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  tostifyina;  to  you  my  most  hearty  thanks  for  the 
friendship  you  showed  them,  and  hope  you  will  not  find  us 
unmindful  of  the  favor. 

«  At  the  same  time  I  cannot  avoid  expressing  my  surprise  to 
you  at  tlic  conduct  of  your  government  respecting  the  affair  of 
tliC  Caughnawagas.  In  the  iirst  place,  it  appears  their  Coniniis 
sioners  treated  tlio  business  so  mysteriously  as  to  make  tlipse 
people  believe  we  had  sold  their  lands  ;  first  liaving  defrauded 
us  by  having  ali  that  country  included  in  the  confirmation  of 
Mr.  Livingston's  deed  lo  Mr.  Oliver  Phelps,  to  which  the  Sonc- 
cas  signed  their  names,  only  supposing  that  tliey  sold  part  of 
their  own  country,  mid  to  which  1  signed  as  a  witness.  This 
was  made  use  of  to  convince  the  Caughnawagas  they  had  no 
right  to  the  country  th(!y  inhabit;  and  I  learn  that  it  was  not 
till  after  much  argument  that  your  Government  owned  that  they 
never  paid  any  money  to  moor  the  Five  Nations  on  account  of 
X)ic^  \nn(h  and  tliut  they  never  looked  on  any  Indians  to  have 
a  right  to  them,  eithor  Caughnawagas  or  Five  Nations.    Had 


1799.]         C0XTROVi.USV   WITH    TH,.   CAUGHNA^TAOAS.  413 

they  onl7  said  this  at  first,  when  they  treated  with  the  Cauoh. 
nawaga.and  rxot  brought  our  name  in  question,  they  vvoSld 
hve  saved  us  immense  trouble.  And  noi  I  cannot  Wh  e 
wha  good  reasons  they  could  have  to  refuse  our  DepuTef  to 
cert,  y  m  wrmng  that  they  never  paid  us  any  money  on  al 
conn  of  these  lands  claimed  by  the  Caughnawagas,  vvhich  it 
IS  certam  they  never  did.    It  still  appears  they  wish  to  ma£  the 

ly  cieanng  up  of  the  busnaess,  so  as  to  keep  the  CaughnavvaL 
fn  m  makmg  farther  clain.s  oa  thcni ;  for  it  now  appears  prX 
clear  to  us  that  they  hr-.  w.onged  these  people.  Howev  r  hdr 
ondu<^  comports  a  ox«l  deal  with  the  ^civilized  JZ^teZ 
Judge  Benson,  wh  ,  i  u.d,  was  one  of  the  Commissione  s  and 
now  the  Governor  left  the  business  mostly  to  him.  who  know 
would  skm  a  flmt  if  it  was  possible,  should  ,t  belong  to  theTn 

"I  intend  for  my  own  satisfaction,  to  have  the  whole  affair 
from  the  begmning  to  ending,  published  in  the  newlpapers       ' 

"Dr.  Sir, 
"  I  am  your  most  humble  and 
Obd't.  Serv't. 

"  Thomas  Morris,  Esq^r:  "  •^°^-  ^''^^''• 

In  July  of  the  same  year,  Brant  proceeded  to  the  Cau^rhna 

G  ner    Co  n!n  %'"  ^""P^^^  ^'  ''  ^h^-'^^'^  investigation  in 
Oieral  Council.     Such  a  council  was  convened  ;  and  the  diffi- 

nlUes  from  the  reports  of  the  speeches  preserved  in  wr.t  f. 
by  Cap tau.  Brant,  were  fully  discussed-aud  that,  too,  in  the  mosf 
amicable  manner.     From  several  intimations  in  the  e  speecTe 

t  appe^ars  that  the  whole  difficulty  had  been  caused' 'brcha' 
termg  birds,"  and  by  the  machinations  a^^ainst  Cantl  nlr^   f 
the  old  Oneida  Sachem,  Colonel  Louis."  Thl  Council  fir.' 
•nndlod  on  the  8th  of  July.     On  the  9th  clV ?  n 
satisfied  by  the  explanation^  gi^:,  l^nd^emarC "  th':^  Z 


li    t- 


■I    '«,  "•  '♦ 
•  i. 


\i 


lit*  ■*♦;-! 

5  »• 

:  SJ 

■  -i 


-  l'^' 


414 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1801. 


"pulled  np  a  pine,  and  planted  down  beneath  it  the  small  bird 
"that  tells  stories;"  on  the  10th,  the  Canghnawaga  Chief  re- 
plied— "  Brother,  we  return  you  thanks  :  we  also  join  witli  yovi 
"  to  put  the  chattering-bird  under  ground  from  where  the  pine 
"was  taken 'ip,  there  being  a  swift  stream  into  which  it  will 
"  AiU  beneath,  that  will  take  it  to  the  Big  Sea,  from  whence  it 
"never  can  return." 

The  result  of  the  Council  seems  to  have  been  satisfactory  on 
all  hands.  Indeed,  as  Brant  himself  wroie  to  a  correspondent 
"  in  the  States,"*  a  short  lime  afterward,  he  was  rather  surpris- 
ed that  he  had  so  little  to  encounter  at  their  meeting : — "  We 
"  expected  they  would  have  had  a  great  deal  to  say  to  us  ;  but 
"  instead  of  that,  they  said  they  had  never  accused  us  of  them- 
"  selves — that  it  was  only  from  what  the  people  of  New- York 
"  said  that  they  had  inquired  about  the  matter  ;  and  that  now 
"  they  hoped  we  would  be  so  good  as  to  agree  to  bury  the 
"  whole  affair  under  ground."  To  Sir  John  Johnson  he  subse- 
"  quently  wrote  in  the  following  terms  : — "  Without  doubt,  long 
"  before  this  you  have  received  an  authentic  account  of  our 
"  business  with  the  Caughnawagas,  which  has  convinced  you 
"  and  the  world  of  our  innocence.  You  know  that  I  was  sup- 
"  posed  to  be  a  leader  in  that  business,  and  how  often  I  have 
"  been  falsely  accused.  But  upon  investigation  my  rectitude 
"has  ever  been  sufficiently  proved.  This  groundless  accu- 
"  sation  of  theirs  created  a  great  expense  to  government  as 
"  well  as  us,  and  I  should  expect  that,  after  being  convinced  ot 
"  their  error,  some  acknowledgment  should  be  made  for  the 
"  great  trouble  they  have  put  us  to." 

But  the  Caughnawaga  difficulties  were  no  sooner  at  an  end, 
than  it  v.'as  his  lot  to  encounter  others  yet  more  nearly  touching 
his  pecuniary  integrity,  which  annoyed  him  not  a  little.  There 
were  active  spirits  about  him,  official  and  unofficial,  who,  for 
reasons  of  their  own,  looked  with  no  favorable  eye  upon  the 
mission  of  Teyoninhokariiwen.  So  strongly  indeed  were  these 
men  opposed  to  the  claims  of  the  Indians,  that  they  were  led  to 
the  adoption  of  very  unjustifiable  means,  not  only  to  circuni-. 
vent  the  negotiations  of  Norton,  but  to  prostrate  the  power  and 

•  The  name  of  this  correspondent  is  not  given  in  the  original  draught  of  tlie  let- 
ter preserved  among  Brant'a  papers. 


1803.J 


PLOT   FOR    HIS   DEPOSITION. 


415 

influence  of  the  old  Chief  himself     To  this  end,  domestic  dis- 

havks      Ihe  Chief  was   agani  accused  of  peculations  •  and 
although  the  grant  of  the  Grand  River  territory  had  heen'noto  . 
riously  made  for  the  exclusive  benefit  of  the  Mohawk     aron 
yet  the  Senecas,  and  others  of  the  Iroquois  Nations  nit  rS 
in  Canada,  wore  stirred  up  to  claim  a  voice  in  the  d L  oSn 
of  hose  lands,  and  m  the  domestic  relations  of  that  naZ  by 
virtue  of  their  confederate  league,  which  had  never  before  been 
construed  as  clothing  them  with  any  such  rights  or  powers 
In  nmherance  of  the  design  of  prostrating  Brlnt  and  thwa  " 
ing  the  effor  s  of  Norton  in  England,  a  Council  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions  was  held  at  Buffalo  Creek,  under  the  direction  of  the  Se- 
neca Chiefs,  Red  Jacket  and  the  Farmer's  Brother :  at  whfch 
a^l.he  proceedmgsof  Brant  and  Norton  were  formally  dlrvow 
ed  and  Brant  himself  deposed  from  the  chieftainship  of  tS^CoI 
fcdency,  at  the  head  of  which  he  had  stood  for  moreVan  a  nu"" 
ter  of  a  century     His  associate  Mohawk  Sachems  were  likewise 
removed,  and  others,  taken,  as  Jeroboam  selected  his  prie  ts  fTo^ 
e  owest  of  the  people,  appointed  in  their  stead.     Nr:>  ^ 
Mohawk  Chiefs  were  present  at  this  Council,  but  only  a  few  of 
the  discontents,  and-of  the  more  worthless  members  of  the  nation 

wo  had  been  wrought  upon  by  the  white  opponents  of  the  pS 
pal  Chief     The  whole  movement  was  illegal,  accordin^toZ 
ancient  usages  of  the   Confederacy,  in  oL;  respects!    Tha 
Council  wa«  not  convened  at  the  National  Council-flre,  which' 
had  years  before  been  regularly  removed  from  Buffalo  Creek  to 

^ct^rthfs  '^^""^  f  GrandRiver.  Nor,  aside  fromth^ 
fac  that  the  Senecas,  and  others  residing  withiu  the  United 
S  at  s,  had  no  right  to  a  voice  in  regard  to  the  domestic  affairs 
or  the  lands  of  the  Mohawks,  was  the  General  Confederacy 
properly  or  legally  represented.  Red  Jacket,  however,  Js 
both  a  ready  and  a  willing  instrument  in  the  hands  of  Brant's 
opponents.    In  all  the  councils  in  which  it  had  been  the  for 

rln'A         T  "^  '''^'^'''^  '^'^«^"  ^^^-'  ^"d  much  les 
of  friendship      Yau-go-pa-wat-haw,  or  Red  Jacket,  was  not  a    ' 
c^^ief  by  b.rth    but  had  made  himself  such  by  h  is  cnnit 
He  was  artful,   eloquent,   and   ambitious.     Jririne   to   tl^e 
lei,  nfi  aviued  hhr„self  ot  the  superstitious  disposi- 


■  jm 


:>•    '  » 


tt  ■   *  I 


•.k 


'* 


1 


,..^"' 


M 


^a  1 


41 


I"   •1 


> 


416 


LIFE   OF   BRANT 


[1804. 


tions  of  his  people  to  attain  his  object.  His  first  essay  was,  to 
dream  that  he  was,  or  should  be,  a  Chief,  and  that  the  Great 
Spirit  was  angry  because  his  nation  did  not  advance  him  to 
that  dignity.  These  dreams,  with  the  necessary  variations, 
were  repeated,  until,  fortunately  for  him,  the  small-pox  broke 
out  among  the  Senccas.  He  then  proclaimed  the  loathsome 
infliction  as  a  judgment  of  the  Great  Spirit,  because  of  the  in- 
gratitude of  the  nation  to  him.  The  consequence,  ultimately, 
was,  that  by  administering  flattery  to  some,  and  working  upon 
the  superstitious  fears  of  others,  he  reached  the  goal  of  his  ambi- 
tion. Brant,  however,  had  always,  on  all  suitable  occasions, 
pronounced  him  a  coward— the  greatest  coward  of  hif  race. 
He  used  to  say  that  Red  Jacket  was  always  valiant  for  fight 
with  his  tongue  ;  but  that,  although  by  his  eloquence  he  per- 
suaded many  warriors  to  fight,  he  was  ever  careful  not  to 
get  into  personal  danger  himself.  He  also  asserted  as  a  fact, 
that  having  sent  others  upon  the  war-path,  he  would  turn  to, 
and  steal  and  kill  their  cows  for  his  own  use.*  Smarting  under 
the  contemptuous  treatment  of  the  Mohawk  Chief,  therefore,  the 
eloquent  demagogue  of  ihe  Senecas  was  not  backward  in  com- 
passing, as  he  hoped,  the  overthrow  of  his  enemy,  if  not  his  rival. 
Hence,  for  years  antecedent  to  the  council  'called  clandestinely 
for  the  deposition  of  Brant,  Bed  Jacket  had  labored,  with  till  art 
and  dfligence,  to  create  jealousies  and  distrust  against  him.t 

The  Chief  himself  was,  of  course,  early  apprised  of  what 
had  taken  place,  and  the  manner  of  the  conspiracy,  of  which  he 
appears  to  have  written  a  full  account  to  his  friend,  the  Duke  of 
Northumberland.  The  3opy  of  only  a  portion  of  that  com- 
munication has  been  discovered.  It  is  without  date,  but  must 
have  been  written  in  A.  D.  1805. 

♦  Conversations  of  the  author  with  Thomas  Morris,  Esq.  This  gentleman,  dur- 
ing his  redidence  in  the  western  part  of  New-Yorl;,  hecame  intimately  acquointcd 
wilh  the  Senecas  and  Mohawks— especially  with  their  Chiefs-having  assisted  at 
Hoveral  treaties  with  them.  He  once  entertained  Brant,  Red  Jacket,  and  a  number 
of  other  chiefs,  at  his  jwn  house  in  Canandaigua.  At  dinner.  Brant  was  very  smns. 
ing  ;  and  among  other  stories,  related  the  tow-killing  exploits  of  a  Seneca  Chief,  m 
mich  an  arch  manner  as  to  direct  the  attention  of  the  witole  company  upon  M 
Jacket,  and  yet  compel  Red  .Jacket  himself  to  raise  an  affected  laugh. 

t  See  the  certificate  of  Israel  Chapin,  as  to  the  general  character  of  Biant,  and 
the  unfounded  jealousies  cxciteJ  against  him  by  his  opponents,  Appendix, No.  XIl 


1805.J 


PLOT    FOR    HIS    DEPOSITION. 


417 

Captain  Brant  to  the  Duke  of  Northumberland. 

"May  it  please  your  Grace  : 
"As  my  nephew,  Teyoninhokurawen,  has  sa(b  returned, 
gratitude  prompts  me  to  return  yov.  my  most  hearty  thanks  for 
the  very  kind  reception  and  aid  you  gave  him,  and  express  tho 
re-ret  myself  and  the  other  Chiefs  of  the  Five  Nations  inliabit- 
ing  the  Grand  River  feel,  tli.il  after  the  trouble  your  Grace  has 
taken  m  our  affairs,  he  should  have  been  frustrated  in  havinjr 
them  concluded  to  our  satisfaction  by  the  i;itrignes  of  the 
Agent  for  Indian  affairs,  (a  Mr.  Claus,)  of  wh'ich  I  shall  take 
tiie  liberty  to  give  you  a  succinct  account. 

"When,  in  consequence  of  the  warm  support  you  gave  my 
nephew,  dispatches  were  received  by  the  late  Governor  from 
England,  in  favor  of  the  Indians,  the  Agent  insinuated,  throu-h 
his  instruments  of  intrigue,  that  lie  was  about  effecting  some- 
thing  much  to  their  detriment,  should  they  not  immediately  pre, 
vent  It.    But  finding  that  he  could  not  succeed  at  the  Grand 
River,  a  few  of  the  common  people  went  to  Buffalo  Creek  a 
village  of  the  Five  Nations  within  the  American  line,  whe'ro 
they  had  a  council,  and  then  went  to   Niagara,*  where  Mr 
Claus^the  Agent,  dictated  to  them  what  was    sent  to  England.' 
*       *        *        Several  of  the  principal  Chiefs  from  Buffalo' 
who  signed,  are  pensioners  to  the  Americans  ;  one  of  them  Red 
Jacket,  or  the  Cow-killer,  the  speaker,  and  the  greatest  coward 
of  all  the  Five  Nations,  at  the  Connecticut  (in  New-Encrland) 
Assembly  swore,  or  promised,  kissing  the  portrait  of  General 
Washington,  to  be  true  to  their  interests.     But  to  make  their 
numbers  appear  more  respectable,  all  the  common  people  si.rn, 
ed  as  Chiefs,  from  the  villages  on  the  American  side,  as  did  tho 
few,  with  three  or  four  petty  chiefs,  who  went  from  the  Grand 
River.    The  poor  fellows,  in  consequence  of  the  promises,  and 
having  signed  together  with  the  officers,  have  been  long  expect- 
ing  to  receive  their  commissions  ;  and  even  some  of  them  have 
been  expecting  to  receive  tidings  of  them  by  Teyoninhokira. 
wen.     The  purport  of  the  %/riting  was,  that  the  mission  and 
proceedings  of  TeyoninhokarAwen  should  be  disallowed  of  and 
disavowed;  that  I  should  be  displaced  from  being  Chief ;  and 
that  a  few  settlers  introduced  by  the  Chiefs _'.» 

»  WAe.  certifi,mte  of  Captain  Leonard,  and  other  American  officer.,  ti.en  station 
ed  at  !Vi.ie„rs —Appendix,  No.  XIII. 


■>:'^     f 


'i^\ 


'  t.i.     *i 


'M§ 


f  .■  ■ 


■».,, 


Xna      »• 


H 

]i 

3:  : 

M' 

23-; 

P 

-'  : 

"«•»« 


■5  * 


■|' 


418 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


11805. 


Here  the  copy  of  this  communication  abruptly  breaks  ofT. 
But  although  the  proceedings  referred  to  were  transmitted  to 
England  by  the  opponents  of  the  Chief,  and  followed  by  conse- 
quences fatal  to  the  mission  of  Norton  ;  yet  the  failure,  so  far  as 
the  Chief  himself  was  concerned,  was  as  signal  as  the  plot  in 
all  respects  was  indefensible  and  uriust.  It  was  but  a  few 
months  anterior  to  these  proc  -edings,  founded,  in  the  main, 
upon  alleged  embezzlements,  or  mal-appropriations,  of  the  reve- 
nue 'of  his  nation,  that  a  General  Council  had  been  holden 
at  Grand  River,  which  was  attended  by  the  chiefs  and  warriors, 
the  Deputy  and  Superintendent-General,  and  the  principal  mili- 
tary officers  of  the  province,  and  at  which  the  pecuniary  trans 
actions  of  Captain  Brant  had  been  fully  investigated — found  to 
be  accurate,  and  approved.  The  proceedings  at  this  council 
appear  to  have  been  dictated  in  the  most  amicable  spirit ;  and 
from  their  complexion,  noth'ljg  could  have  been  more  unlikely 
than  the  revival  of  charges,  then  so  thoroughly  shown  to  be 
without  foundation  in  truth.* 

But  the  old  Chief  did  not  remain  passive  under  his  persecu- 
tions. He  took  an  early  occasion  to  meet  a  council  of  the  fac- 
tion of  his  own  nation  who  were  opposing  him,  and  to  upbraid 
them  in  no  very  measured  terms  for  their  ingratitude.  His 
address  was  written  cut  in  full,  in  the  Mohawk  dialect,  and  was 
afterward  circulated  in  the  form  of  an  appeal  to  his  nation.t 
After  a  spirited  review  of  his  life,  and  the  services  he  had  ren- 
dered them  from  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, the  appeal  proceeded  : — 

*  *  *  *  "It  astonishes  me,  therefore,  after  all 
that  I  have  done  for  you,  to  hear  almost  all  of  you,  young  and 
old,  joining  your  voices  with  Colonel  Claus,  and  saying  of  me 
that  I  have  embezzled  your  property,  and  such  like  hard  speech- 
es, which  you  know  are  false, — while  you  never  so  much  as 
think  of  mentioning  the  many  important  services  I  have  render- 
ed you,  the  many  privations  I  have  suffered  on  your  account, 
and  the  journies  I  have  undertakon  for  your  benefit — for  the 

•  See  Appendix,  No.  XIV. 

f  This  document  was  never  translated  by  Captain  Brant.  Portions  of  the  manu* 
script  are  illegible ;  but  all  that  can  bo  read  has  been  translated  for  the  use  of  the 
author. 


time  and  ex 


1804.J 


HIS    VINDICATION. 


419 


time  and  expenses  of  which  you  have  never  paid  me  one  penny. 

*      /      .  * At  Philadelphia 

the  Americans  spoke  in  a  very  friendly  manner  to  me,  and 
made  me  lar-e  offers  of  presents  for  myself  and  family  if  1 
would  prevent  any  farther  attacks  from  the  Indians     But    1 
positively  refused  to  accept  of  any  thing  from  them,  lest  I  should 
injure  your  good  name  as  the  Six  Nation  Indians.     And  a<min 
I  knew  that  the  King  would  not  suffer  me  to  be  in  want  -"and 
hiid  I  accepted  any  thing  at  this  time,  it  might  have  'boen 
thought  that  I  had  been  bribed,  and  become  a  traitor,  which 
when  made  public,  would  have  been  disgraceful  to  me,  and  in- 
jurious to  you  as  my  people.     I  thought  I  could  depend  on  our 
white  brethren,  the  King's  subjects,  should  I  at  any  time  need 
thflir  assistance.         •         •         There   was   the  Grand   River 
Tract,  upon  which  I  might  have  had  a  farm,  and  lived  on  iLs 
produce.     These  considerations  were  more  than  sufficient  to 
deter  me  from  receiving  the  valuable  presents  offered  for  mv 
acceptance.         *         *         *         »        »         »        «         T^if 
.11  T       , ,       .  .  *        I  think 

the  only  way  I  could  satisfy  you,  would  be  for  me  to  pay  out  of 
my  own  purse  for  every  item  that  has  to  be  expended  for  your 
public  uses.     My  only  crime  is,  that  I  want  to  make  you  a 
happy  people,  and  for  you  to  be  enabled  to  call  your  land  your 
own  forever ;  and  not  leaving  it  doubtful  whether  it  is  yours 
or  not.     I  say  you  would  be  well  pleased  if  every  thino-  could 
be  done  for  the  general  good  of  the  Six  Nations,  withoiU  part- 
ing with  a  foot  of  land  to  pay  for  contingencies.     Colonel  Glaus 
asks  you  where  your  money  is  gone  to  ?     He  never  asks  where 
the  proceeds  of  sales  of  your  lands  are  gone  to,  else  you  mio-ht 
tell  him  that  it  is  gone  to  assist  in  building  his  splendid  house 
Whenever  I  have  had  occasion  to  use  any  of  your  money,  I 
have  never  touched  any  but  the  interest,  and  have  left  the  princi- 
pal entire.     But  your  friend  Glaus  has  devoted  principal  and 
interest  together ;  and  yet  you  come  to  my  house  complain- 
'"?•        *        *        *        I  ask  again,  what  do  you  find  in  my 
conduct  to  disapprove  of?    If  you  can  point  any  thincr  out 
I  should  like  to  hear  it.     Or,  will  you  say  that  every  "thing 
that  I  have  done  has  been  for  your  injury  and  not  for  your  be"- 
nefit  ?  ' 


%,. 


"*  i 


F  11;  ■; 


"I  say  I  cannot  And,  in  all  that  I  have  done,  that  any  thing 


"KtlBI 


> 


480 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1804 


»--^.MII  "M 


Ims  torid'ul  to  your  injury,  or  the  injury  of  the  King's  cause, 
Y«!t  you  spunk  of  me  as  one  who  is  your  enemy— as  one  who 
dni!s  what  fic  can  to  injure  you  ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  you, 
who  iu<3  hearinsj  me,  feel  so  tow  -id  me  in  your  hearts,  although 
I  havo  reiterated  in  your  hearing  many  instances  where  what 
I  did  tended  to  raise  your  name  as  well  as  my  own  ;  and  iu 
oth(!r  instances,  when  I  might  liive  1  oen  enriched,  I  ha\' re- 
fustid  receiving  for  fear  of  your  name  being  tarnished.  Still, 
you  would  ulinost  brand  me  with  the  name  of  thief,  although 
not  one  of  you  have  ever  subscribed  a  penny  to  pay  my  ex- 
pense's when  I  have  travelled  on  your  public  business." 

Tho  original  manuscript  of  this  address  is  much  broken, 
ospocially  in  that  portion  of  it  containing  a  review  of  his  ser- 
vices in  connexion  with  the  wars  of  the  north-western  Indians 
with  the  United  States.  The  following  fragments  of  sentences 
upi>u  thnt  subject,  only,  have  been  translated  ; — 

#  1  #  «  Every  man  of  us  thought,  that  by  fighting 
for  the  King,  we  should  ensure  to  ourselves  and  children  a  good 
inheritance.  •»*••»  At  another 
titno,  at  the  last  council  we  held,  when  the  Americans  were 
talking  with  the  Indians,  I  spoke  to  Otsinarenta,  and  said,  '  if 
the  Americans  fail  in  *  •  *  *  *  I  should 
like  to  go  and  surprise  Wayne  when  he  least  expects  it.' " 

It  was  very  soon  manifest  that  the  pretended  deposition  of 
tlio  veteran  Mohawk,  at  the  instigation  of  white  men,  and 
through  the  immediate  agency  of  Red  Jacket,  was  no  act  of  the 
great  body  of  the  Six  Nations,  much  less  of  his  own  nation : 
and  tho  attempt  to  shake  the  faith  of  their  "  fathers  in  council," 
in  tho  perfect  integrity  of  the  Chief  who  had  so  long  been  their 
leader  in  the  cabinet  and  in  the  field,  was  a  signal  abortion.  A 
meeting  of  the  chiefs  and  warriors  was  soon  afterward  held,  at 
which  tho  whole  controversy  seems  again,  from  the  fragments 
of  tho  proceedings  yet  in  existence,  to  have  been  renewed. 
From  one  of  the  speeches,  the  following  passages,  connected  im- 
mediately with  the  position  and  conduct  of  Brant,  and  the  pro- 
ceedings against  him,  are  extracted : — 

"  HiiOTHRU,  LISTEN !  Is  it  uot  thus,  whcn  a  present  is  given, 
that  tito  bestower  will  not  think  of  again  grasping  hold  of  it  I 
Hut  It  scorns  as  if  we  were  in  that  predicament— not  being  con- 
sidered as  real  proprietors.    We  are  gripved  and  ashamed  that 


1801.] 


SPEECIIKS    IN    HIS    VINDICATION. 


421 


so  much  should  have  beou  said  on  the  subject,  without  it  being 
coufirined  according  to  the  first  promise. 

«  Broiiier  :  We  find  divisions  among  us.  The  young  men 
think  to  take  the  lead,  who  know  nothing  of  our  affaires  nor 
what  we  suffered  in  the  war.  According  to  the  first  formation 
of  our  confederacy,  the  Mohawk  was  the  leading  nation.  So 
it  has  been  since  our  estabUshmont  at  the  Grand  River.  There- 
fore our  leading  Ciiief,  Captain  Ikant,  has  stood  foremost  in  our 
affairs,  with  which  he  is  thoroughly  acquainted. 

"Brotiiru:  There  Imve  been  rumors  concerning  oui 
money,  and  the  applieation  made  of  it.  We,  that  have  been  en- 
gaged in  tlic  public  affairs,  know  where  it  is  gone.  He  has  not 
been  always  travelling,  and  employed  on  his  own  concerns— it 
has  been  on  those  of  the  public.  He  has  been  to  the  other  side 
of  the  water,  and  several  times  to  Quebec  ;  and  always  in  these 
JGP.rnies  expended  his  own  property,  wo  never  making  any  col- 
lection for  him  whatever.  And  now  what  he  may  hlive  made 
use  of  is  only  the  interest.  Nothing  has  been  taken  from  the 
piiucipal.  The  payment  for  one  township  has  been  made  with- 
out any  delinquency  whatever.  We  are  perfectly  satisfied  with 
all  his  transactions. 

"  Brother,  listen  !  That  which  was  done  at  Buffiilo,  and 
which  you  have  confirmed  and  sent  to  the  other  side  of  the 
water,  was  a  thing  that  had  never  before  taken  place,  in  which 
they  pretend  to  break  our  Chief,  Captain  Brant.  But  we  assure 
you,  brother,  that  this  shall  not  be  ;  for  we  know  not  his  hav- 
ing so  transgressed  as  to  merit  such  treatment.  Neither  is  it 
proper  that  such  a  proceeding  within  the  American  line,  and 
done  by  Indians  inhabiting  that  territory,  should  be  countenanced 
by  you." 

At  the  same  setting,  Tchaosennoghts,  or  Duguoin,  a  Seneca 
Chief,  spoke  as  follows  : — 

"Brother:  You  see  here  a  remnaiu  of  the  warriors  that 
fought  last  war,  whose  hearts  are  grieved  that  they  have  lived 
to  see  the  present  change  of  our  treatment,  and  our  situation. 
The  divisions  existing  among  us,  and  the  attempts  of  the  young 
men  to  put  the  Chiefs  aside,  have  no  other  origin  than  the  In° 
dian  store.  It  is  there  the  young  men  receive  from  his  Majesty's 
bounty  that  whicli  was  designed  for  those  who  fought  and  suf- 
fered in  his  cause,  and  who  are  now  treated  with  ne^o-lect.    It  is 


I 


■  i'.. 


!»• 


■kk.,  4      In 

r"  '"   3 

;>:  I 


428 


LIFE   OP    nnANT. 


[ISO'L 


[iim 


.,  ..„  >■$ 

■•MM  * 
■•■..4  ■» 


from  this  they  arc  led  to  imngino  tliemselves  men  of  nbility  and 
consoqut'uce.  It  is  eary  for  them  to  sny,  now,  theto  is  notliing 
to  bo  done,  or  no  danger — that  they  urc  loyul,  and  side  v  ith 
government.  We  are  no  less  loyol,  we  assnre  yon,  now ;  and 
when  occasion  retpiircd,  we  gave  proofs  of  our  attachment.  But 
We  know  our  Great  Fatlier  is  no  less  generous  than  opulent, 
and  doe"  not  want  our  lands.  Neither  can  we  thin'c  ourselves 
departing  Inm  our  duty  in  wishing  to  preserve  tliLin  for  our 
posterity,  for  ve  are  poor.  It  is  not  Captain  Brant  who  is  the 
sower  of  dissension  ;  but  it  is  what  I  just  mentioned  that  causes 
the  division  amongst  us. 

"  BuoTHKH  :  The  right  of  being  chief,  according  to  our  cus- 
toms, arises  either  from  hereditary  line  on  the  female  side,  or 
from  having  been  distinguished  by  meritorious  conduct,  so  as 
to  be  accepted  as  such.  This  has  not  been  the  case  in  the  late 
appointment  you  Sanctioned.  One  of  them,  to  whom  you  pay 
great  regard,  we  know  has  been  distinguished  in  your  opiiiioii 
for  some  things  which  we  have  not  been  accustomed  to  pay  that 
respect  to." 

Finally,  at  this,  or  a  subsequent  General  Council,  a  speech, 
drawn  up  in  the  form  of  a  declaration,  was  executed,  ti;idt!r  the 
sanction  of  the  signatures  and  seals  of  sixteen  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished chiefs,  residents  upon  the  Grand  River,  and  repio 
scnting  the  Mohawks,  Cayugas,  Oghkwagas,  Tuscaroras,  and 
one  Delaware  chief;  bearing  the  most  unequivocal  testimony 
to  the  integrity  of  Thayendanegea,  and  asserting  their  undimi- 
nished confidence  in  his' faithful  management  of  their  business, 
as  agent  in  the  matter  of  their  lands.  It  was  stated  in  this  pa- 
per that  he  had  desired,  of  himself,  some  time  before,  to  with- 
draw from  that  agency,  and  that  he  had  only  consented  to  re- 
main therein  at  their  urgent  solicitation — he  requiring  that  a 
board  of  twenty-four  chiefs  might  be  selected  from  the  different 
tribes,  to  act  as  counsellors,  and  probably  to  determine  all  ques- 
tions of  doubt  or  controversy.  "  This,"  says  the  declaration, 
"  has  been  done — but  at  the  same  time  we  desired  that  he  misht 
"  continue  at  the  head.  And  farther  hearing  that  there  are 
"  many  obstacles  yet  preventing  the  equitable  conclusion  of  onr 
"  land  business,  we  now  unanimously  renew  and  strengthen 
"  him  in  quality  of  agent,  which,  from  the  confidence  we  have 
♦'  in  his  integrity  from  what  has  aheady  passed,  we  assure  our- 


**'.«■».: 


1804.] 


IIK    THIUMPIIS   OVKH    ins   EXEMlKfl. 


423 

"solve.  1.0  will  oxer.  I.imseir  in  that  office,  as  far  as  lies  in  his 

wo  tlK,rd..r.  ..xhort  hi.n  to  continuo  with  moderation  and  na- 
tion™, and  ,Ia,iur  ourselves  Ironnhe  equity  ot  our  brethren, 
the  IniiNh  government,  and  his  abi'i-..,,.!  ditficulties  wUl 
"at  last  1)0  Nurnioinited." 

Nothing  eonid  hi,  ,„„ro  explicit  tha  .  Vm  tcsti:  ony  of  exone- 
ration  sola,  as  the  charges  against  tt>o     ;hief    ■  ere  connected 
with  lus  managumont  of  the  land  concei.   o;  his  people.    But 
Ins  v.nd.cat.on  did  not  rest  here.     Soon  after  tl.e  returr,  of 
TeymnnhokftnUvcn  to- the  Grand  River,  a  general  council  of  the 
hix  Nations  was  convened  at  Niagara,  for  the  purpose  of  meet- 
ing the  Deputy  Superintendent-General,  and  entering  a  soleuiu 
pro  est  aga.nst  tho  proceedings  of  the  council  at  which  Red 
Jnolcc.t  and  tho   Farmer's   Brother    had  pretended    lo  depose 
1  h«y.,ndan..gea.     For  several  days  the  Deputy  declined  'meet- 
mg  the   .onnc.l,  upon  the  plea  of  waiting  for  the  attendance  of 
Mr.  Selhy,  a  gentleman  from  Detroit.     But  as  that  gentleman 
did  not  arnvo,  and  it  was  uncertain  when  he  would  come,  if 
"tall    the  (.Inefs  determined  to  proceed  with  their  business. 
Iho  Doputy,  nccouipanied  by  Colonel  Proctor,  met  the  Chiefs 
only  to  rep.!at  his  excuse,  and  to  declare,  that  under  exist^in- 
cireumslancos,  he  would  not  listen  to  what  they  had  to  suJ' 
The  Cine  s,  however,  resolved  to  proceed  with  their  delibera- 
tions; and  their  protest,  yet  existing  in  the  .hirography  of  Cap- 
tain Brant,  wjis  read  and  sanctioned  by  the  council,  in  presence 
of  several  o  hcors  of  the  garrison,  and  also  of  several  distin- 
gnished  civilians.     This  paper  contained  a  succinct  review  of 
the  controversy  respecting  the  lands ;  the  object  of  Norton's  mis- 
sion to  Lnglnnd ;  the  partial  success  of  that  agent-thwarted 
only  by  the  use  that  had  been  made  of  the  proceedin<.s  of  Rod 
Jacket's  luimithorized  and  illegally-constituted   coundl-a  re- 
view 0    tho«0  proceedings;  and  a  protest  against  the  whole  • 
After  tho  reading  h^ul  been  concluded,   Oko^hsennhjonte,  a 
Cayuga  Chief,  rose,  and  declared  the  general  approbation  of  tlie 
document  by  the  council. 

With  those  proceedings,  it  is  believed,  the  efforts  to  prostrate 
Brant,  and  deprive  him  of  the  chieftainship,  ceased.  In  any 
event  they  were  not  successful,  and  he  mmained  at  the  head  of 

♦  See  Appendix,  No.  XV. 


,  ■■  ■* 


* 


.iii 

:£  Mm    i.i 

A. it     M 

It*  MM         »■ 


^ 

.1 

•  •■■» 

It 

:  III 

■t^ 

.,,,, 

■'» 

424 


LIFE   OP   BKANT. 


[180G. 


the  Moliawks,  and  consequently  at  the  head  of  the  Confederacy, 
until  the  day  of  his  decease. 

But,  even  under  all  these  discouragements,  it  was  not  the  do- 
sign  of  the  indefatigable  Chief  to  relinq-iish  his  exertions  to 
obtain  justice  for  his  people  at  the  hands  of  the  parent  govern- 
ment. For  this  purpose  another  visit  to  England  was  deter- 
mined upon,  to  be  performed,  either  by  himself,  or  Norton,  or 
perhaps  by  both.  This  determmation  was  announced  to  the 
Duke  of  Northumberland  by  letter,  early  in  the  year  1806  :— 

Captain  Brant  to  the  Duke  of  Northumberland. 
"  Grand  River,  January  2Ath,  1806. 
"  My  Lord  Dukk, 

"  The  kind  and  affectionate  letter  I  received  from  your  Grace, 
has  deeply  penetrated  our  hearts  with  a  sense  of  the  honor  you 
confer  on  the  Five  Nations  in  the  sincere  regard  you  express 
for  their  welfare  ;  and  we  hope  that  our-  future  conduct,  anl 
that  of  our  descendants,  may  never  fail  to  cause  such  sentiments 
to  be  cherished  in  the  noble  hearts  of  the  leaders  of  the  British 
nation.  For,  however  wounding  to  our  feelings,  or  detrimental 
to  our  interests,  may  be  the  treatment  we  have  received,  and 
yet  continue  to  receive,  in  this  country,  our  reliande  on  the 
fatherly  protection  of  his  Majesty,  and  the  confidence  we  have 
ever  placed  in  the  humanity,  love  of  justice,  and  honor  of  your 
nation,  is  not  weakened. 

"  The  reason  of  my  having  delayed  so  long  writing  to  your 
Grace,  is,  that  from  the  ar-ival  of  a  new  Governor,*  I  received 
some  hopes  that  what  respects  our  land  affairs  might  have  been 
accomplished  to  our  satisfaction  in  this  country.  But  these 
hopes  are  now  vanished — for  appearances  give  me  reason  to 
apprehend  i,iat  the  old  council,  (principally  composed  of  men 
influenced  by  an  insatiable  avarice  for  lands,)  have  so  prejudic- 
ed his  Ex(  Ilency  against  us,  as  to  disappoint  what  otherwise 
we  might  have  expected  from  the  innate  benevolence  of  our 
father's  representa- ^  re.  It  is  therefore  the  determination  of  the 
real  c'liefs  and  fai  .ul  warriors  to  comply  with  the  brotherly 
advice  of  your  Grace."     Therefore,  either  both  of  us,  or  Tc< 


♦  Sir  Francis  Gore. 

t  Contained,  probably,  in  a  fell     from  tlio  Duke,  which  has  not  been  fjund. 


1806.J 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


425 

yonir.hok^rUven,*  shall  make  another  attempt  m  England,  invest- 
od  with  full  powers  from  our  nations,  in  writing,  accordi  r  o 
Luropean  customs,  which  your  distance  and  our  sittiatio'n  It 
present   render  absolutely  necessary.     Some  small  diHicuUies 

""r T  ''u''  ""  r  ""'^'  ''^''''^^^y  ^-  -^  the  road     " 
His  Excellency  has  expressed  that  he  will  only  hear  from 
us  through  Mr  Claus,  the  head  of  the  Indian  Depar'men  ,  Z 
.s  Qur  implacame  enemy ;  and  from  what  has  alreidy  pass  d  we 
are  w.U  assured  will  do  every  thing  in  his  power  to  thwart  our 
success.     Previous  to  receiving  any  speech,  he  requests  that  we 
g  ve  lum  a  copy  of  u  ;   but  himself,  when  he  pretended,  last  of 
all  to  make  a  defence  to  what  we  had  expressed  at  Niagara  in 
uly,  m  reference  to  his  having  deceived  the  British  ministry 
hyl^^e  improper  names  sent  to  England  to  thwart  the  mission 
of  Teyonmhokarawen,  he  read  his  speech  in  such  a  low  voice 
.Kit  It  could  only  be  heard  by  those  who  sat  next  to  him,  and 
afterwards  refused  to  give  us  a  copy  of  it.     So  we  remain  as 
Ignorant  of  what  he  alleged  in  his  defence,  as  if  he  had  made 

liO  SpCGCll*  ' 

"The  same  confidence  in  the  good  faith  of  our  allies,  which 
animated  my  courage  to  persevere  in  the  most  trying  situations 
during  the  war,  and  exhort  to  a  similar  perseverance  those 
whom  extraordinary  difficulties,  or  American  intrio-ue  miaht 
.^agg^r,  yet  encmirages  me  to  hope  for  justice,  notwiUistandrn^ 
the  clouds  that  shade  us  from  it.  ^ 

''  Mr.  Wyatt,  Surveyor  General  of  tliis  province,  does  me  the 
favor  to  take  this.     The  copy  of  the  speech  delivered  at  Niao-a 
ra  last  .Tuly,  TeyoniiihokArawen  sent  you  several  months  a°o- 
so  I  hope  you  have  received  it  by  this  time.    With  the  sinceresi 
respect  and  gratitude,  I  remain, 

"  Your  Grace's 

«  Faithful  friend  and 
"  Brother  warrior, 
"  Jos.  Brant, 

,  T.    ^  ,     „  ,       ,  "Tha7je7idancgea. 

"  Uis  Grace  the  Duke  of  Northumberland, 

"  Thoi'ighwafferi," 


VOL.  II. 


♦  John  Norton. 


28 


1-> 


»     ' 


*'>i  !^* 


■  ».., 


.     3 


:  P 


"^  > 


42G 


Utn:   OF    imANT. 


[180(5 


The  Duke  op  NoiiTmiMiir.itLANi)  ro  Captain  Brant. 
Nurikuiaherland  House,  T,th  May,  ISOG. 
"  My  veuy  ncni)  I''hikn1)  and  Urothkr  Warrior  : 

'<!  have  receiv.HJ  Halcly  your  lettor  of  the  2'lth  January, 
which  reached  mo  on  th(!  'iM  of  last  month,  witli  all  tiiat  plea- 
sure which  is  iiatiirai.y  felt  hy  one  friend  when  he  receives  a 
letter  from  another  frioiid.  1  am  happy  16  find  that  the  intore.st 
I  took  iu  the  affairs  of  tho  Five  Nations  has  been  acceptable  to 
their  Board,  as  1  urn  by  beinj,'  one  of  their  community.  They 
may  rest  assured  I  shull  always  be  happy  to  assist  tlicm  to  the 
utmost  of  my  power. 

<'I  was  very  sorry  that  tho  zeid  of  my  brother  Teyoniuhoka 
rilwareu  failed  of  siiccoms  ;  btit  I  can  assure  you  and  tlie  Chiefs 
of  the  Five  Nations,  ihiit  it  was  not  for  want  of  constant  atten- 
tion and  the  most  utinitnitting  zeal  on  his  part.  No  person 
could  possibly  exeeiito  the  mission  on  which  he  was  sent,  witii 
more  ability  than  ho  did.  It  is  only  a  piece  of  justice  due  to 
liim,  to  desire  you  to  tnontion  this  to  the  General  Council  when 
they  meet, 

"  The  names  of  thoyo  who  gave  credit  to  Mr.  Claus's  fictitious 
council,  are  washed  out  from  the  administration  of  this  country, 
and  a  more  sensible  Hut  of  ministers  are  appointed  in  their  room, 
and  I  think  those  who  now  fill  the  high  offices  of  State  in  this 
Kingdom,  would  listoil  to  the  wishes  of  our  brediren  in  the 
Five  Nations.*  I  shall  be  happy  if  I  can  be  of  service  in  pro- 
curing for  them  the  accomplishment  of  their  wishes.  But  be- 
fore Tattempt  p'ry  tinner,  I  must  desire  clearly  to  understand 
what  are  the  wisiies  of  tho  Five  Nations.  Do  Uiey  desire  to 
have  a  confirmation  of  tho  grant  of  Sir  Frederick  Haldimand 
and  (if  possible)  to  havo  it  under  the  Great  Tliayendanegca,  &c. 
with  the  Seal  of  the;  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland  ?  Would  thtiy  consent,  (if  such  a  thing  is  proposed) 
to-have  a  clause  instortud  in  the  confirming  grant  declaring  tlic 

*  The  Duke,  probalily,  r«f«rml  to  the  disBohition  of  Mr.  Addingfon's  adminiptra- 
tion  in  180t,  imd  ilio  r.Murii  Id  |iowijr  of  Mr.  Pitt.  True,  the  ministry  of  the  lat- 
ter was  dissolved  liy  ilm  diroii-i!  of  that  incomparahle  proinier,  in  January  antpce- 
dent  to  (he  time  liiMnilk.i  wiiH  then  writin;;  ;  hut  it  must  have  hten  the  Addinston 
ministry  whjoh  wii«  in  powr  iit  tlin  time  of  Norton's  mission,  and  which  was 
«  waslicd  out"  iiy  lUssiihiiion  iiftrr  Pitt  iind  al)andoned  it,  and  made  a  speech  inop- 
DOBition.  even  on  tlio  »uinu  Nidu  with  Vox.—Au,thor. 


18U6.J 


COXlRESPONDENCi:. 


4a7 


,  ?rant  to  bo  vacated,  ,f  the  Five  Nations  should  at  any  time 
part  with  the  torntory  thus   granted  to  then,  either  to   the 
Au^encans,  or  to  any  other  nation  of  Indians,  or  to  any  olher 
ix^son  or  persons  not  being  of  the  Five  Nat/ons,  or  a  Bdtl 
subject,  wuhout  the  consent  of  the  crown  of  GrJat  Brk^y    1 
jnenuon  t  ns  circumstance,  because  I  think  something;    thi 
Ic.Kl  was  hunted  at  by  Mr.  Cooke,  and  the  improper  .nam,    i 
which  It  was  stated,  guve  reason  to  suppose  that^the  Fi"     Na 
tjons  could  not  ahenute  it,  or  any  part  of  it,  from  one  li  diaif  o 
tl-  t  ive  Nations  to  aacther  Indiaa  of  the  Five  JNations, tl^;^,^ 
never  was  intended  to  be  preventer'. 

« 1  should,  however,  advise  that  either  yourself,  Teyoninhoka- 
r:uven  orsome  other  chief,  sh<.nld  come  over,  properly  aul". 
ed  by  he  chiefs,  to  transact  and  ^lally  settle  lu  this  Ln.ss 

vorv  d     rol     o'ff      "  °^^^^"— '"=-  P-'sons  here,  who  a.. 
vuy  dciiou.  of  forming  a  society  to  better  (as  they  call  it )  the 
:,ondit.on  of  cnir  nation,  by  converting  us  from  huntLs  and' war 
..ors  uHo  hus^.ndmen.     Let  me  strongly  recommend  it  to  you 
and  the  rest  of  our  chiefs,  not  to  listen  to  such  a  proposition' 
Let  our  young  men  never  exchange  their  hberty,  and  m^Iv 
exercises,  to  become  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  rf  water     If 
t  ey  will  teacn  our  women  to  spin  and  to  weave,  this  would  be 
ot  use;  but  to  endeavor  to  enervate  our  you  no- men  bv  doi„  ' 
-otbing  but  tilling  the  eai.h,  would  be  the  o-reateTt  n  V  .  m    ° 
:ould  do  the  Five  Nations.     Nine  hundred  o  oZn^^^ 

nors,  enured  to  hardship  by  hr.ntiiig,  are  a  most  resp  ctiT.d 
m  ependentbody;  but  what  vould  the  same  numlr  oHn  ' 
become  who  were  merely  husbandmen?  They  would  1  ar^lu 
r^a  small  parish,  seekmg  for  protection  f^-omX't^  ^t 
•e.  d  of  and  known,  and  obliged  tamely  to  submit  to  aws  and 

.tiaselves.     If  you  want  an  erample  of  what  the  Five  Nations 
-.Id  soon  become,   look  only  at  the  Stockbridge    Ind t^i 
They,li  .  us  ,.ere  once  a  noble  and  formidable  °nbe      hev 

t'l'splan,  have  their  own  private  reasons.     They  wish  to  co 

'1-^   to  teach  you  to  cultivate  the  ground,  they  will  then  show 

'^>  how  very  small  a  part  of  the  land  granted  you  is  suffirient 

i"r  to  supply  your  wants,  and  will  next  endeavor  to  prevail  upon 


!■■ 


^■' 


.•  J 


'  f 


>  •* 


.n.^      Ml 


I*  "  ■  *     "S 
•  *     a 


»     On 


.'I  I 
11 


■«<,  ■♦ 


.*l  ' 


r M  '' 

::  'J 


428 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1806 


yon  to  ?rant  them  the  remaindor,  in  gratitude  for  the  trouble  they 
have  had  in  instructing  you  in  agriculture.  No,  my  dear  friend 
and  brother  warrior,  never  suffer  yourself,  or  3^our  Chiefs,  to  lie 
induced  by  their  plausible  arguments.  If  you  do,  remember  I 
now  foretell  that  you  will  become  a  poor,  dependent,  and  in.si<r- 
nificaut  body,  instead  of  continuing  a  free,  warlike,  and  inde- 
pendent nation  as  we  now  are.  I  wish  to  see  the  Christian  reli- 
£rion,  sobriety,  and  good  morals,  prevail  among  our  nation; 
hnt  let  us  continue  free  and  independent  as  the  air  that  blows 
upon  us ;  let  us  continue  hunters  and  warriors,  capable  of  on- 
forcing  re?pcct,  and  doing  ourselves  justice;  but  let  us  never 
submit  to  become  the  tillers  of  land,  hewers  of  wood,  and  draw- 
ers of  water,  by  the  false  and  interested  advice  of  those  who, 
from  being  our  pretended  friends,  would  soon  become  our  im- 
perious masters.  Accept  this,  my  good  friend  and  brother  war 
rior,  from  one  who  wishes  the  Five  Nations  ever  to  continue  a 
formidable  nation,  commanding  respect  from  all  ils  neighbors, 
and  who  interests  himself  most  sincerely  in  their  welAire.  Say 
every  thing  proper  for  me  to  my  brother  Chiefs,  ond  believe 

me, 

«  Your  faithful  friend  and  brother  warrior, 

"  Northumberland, 
"  Thorighwagiri 
''  Dezonhighkor  (Lord  Tercy)  desires  to  return  his  thanks, 
and  to  offer  his  compliments  to  you  and  to  TeyoninhokAr.iwen. 
(Norton,)  to  whom  I  desire  you  to  give  my  compliments  likewise. 
I  have  received  his  letter,  and  will  write  to  him  by  this  mail  if 
T  possibly  can." 

Pursuant  to  the  suggestions  of  the  preceding  correspondence, 
the  preparations  were  made  for  another  mission  to  London,  by 
Thayendanegea  himself.  He  actually  commenced  his  journey, 
and  proceeded  as  far  as  Albany,  with  the  design  of  embarking 
at  New- York.  Circumstances,  however,  occurred,  which  ren- 
dered it  necessary  for  him  to  return  to  his  own  country.  After- 
ward, owing  to  pecuniary  difficulties,  the  undertaking  was  inde- 
finitely detferred,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  annexed  communication 
to  the  Duke,  wliich  was  probably  the  last  ever  addressed  to  that 
nobloman  by  his  brother  warrior  of  the  forest:-  - 


^^^^•]  CORRESPONDENCE.  429 

Captain  Brant  to  the  Duke  of  Northumberland. 

«  Mv  I  o»n  n"  ^^"""^  ""^  ^"^'^  Ontario,  June  26,  1807. 

«1  wrote  you  last  b7  the  Surveyor  General,  Mr.  Wyatt  ac- 
quaiiitintj  your  Grace  tlfit 'Pr.,.,^,>i,  I  1^  ^  '  "•  **yaii,  ac- 
no-,i„  c-m^.  H  t'wt  reyoinnhokarawen  or  myself  should 

Z  1      r        '     '"'  ""  ''^"  ^'"'^J'^'^^  «f  «"r  laud  affairs    &c 
Sl.ortly  after  that  we  have  beeu  formally  deputed  eitlu^^  Lmlt 
or  separately  by  a  general  council  of  thi  ZZ::^::^:^ 

;::::^s:^rm^ihr;?:eS^----^--' 

endeavors  for  the  public  good,  have  deterred  u    forC  prese 
from  undertalnng  the  intended  journey.     But,  confid  n^m  tl 
j.rd  which  we  Know  that  your  Grace  has  for  you    bretl.  en 

0  he  Five  Nations  and  their  interests;  in  the  fotlL^  So 
of  his  Majesty;  and  in  the  justice  of' the  British     Lio       we 
send  you  he  powers  we  have  received  ;  and  beg  that  y  ur  Gral 
may  grant  us  your  aid  to  obtain  from  his  Maiestv  n  Z.^ 

lion  nf  rjonor..!  Tj  I  r        1,  ^viajesty  a  confirma- 

1  le  rren?s         "f  ^^"f  ^  g''^"'  '^  the  Five  Nations  under 
the  Great  Seal ;  and  that  the  part  we  have  surrendered  to  Go 
vern,neP.t  for  sale,  they  shall  guarantee  to  us  and  ou  tis  ?he' 

cgular  payment  of  the  purchase  money  stipulated  accordLfn 
former  representation.  puiaiea,  according  to 

^^«With  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem,  I  have  the  honor 

"  Your  Grace's  humble  servant,  and 

"  Faithful  brother  warrior  " 
For  a  good  and  sufficient  reason,  which  will  appear  in  tha 
clos,ng  pages  of  the  present  worlc,  the  claims  of  the  Mohawhs 
;.ore  pro.ecuted  no   farther  by  their  old  and  Z^t^ 

l^o;:^s  ""^  'T  f'  ''^'^  -"'^  ^-  «fli-^ 

lae  crown  entirely  ceased  to  this  day. 


f!f1t 


•...„, 

<n 

»».., 

«M 

"*•■• 

1 

zy- 

1 

I!    5 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


•   J 


Exertions  of  Tho."endanPSPa  for  the  moral  and  social  iniprovj  m<  nl  of  Lis  poople— 
f  lis  religious  vinv.=— P^florts  for  tiie  n  Yrjims  inatrucl;,  a  of  Um  poo|i!i — L(  tier  to 
Sir  John  .lohnson  upon  iho  siil  jcct  of  obtainrno  n  rc>i(l<'nt  cler;\inrtP.— Farllici 
coir^'si',?  )'i;ni'c. — intervirw  of  Brant  with  tiie  Bishop — Disap)  oiiitmi  nt~l,ct'cr  to 
the  Chiij"  J',i,"'..i<;e— Anp'  a!  of  Brant  U,  the  Lord  Bishop,  hut  w  i'.lioiii,  -iiccr?s— ■  \  i). 
piicaflor.  i/tilm  ftnu-rican  church—Ldier  to  Colonel  Burr— Succi'cds  in  ohtairi- 
ing  the  t'  ni.ition  f  i"  Mr.  Phelp..— Estimate  of  Brant's  charactir  by  the  rlergy— 
Letter  of  RiV.  Or  Ma  >oi\—Ili-'V.  Eikanah  Holmes— Letter  of  Brant  to  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Miller— A  >-d<a:  wpiris—Efforts  of  Brant  to  prevent  iheir  introduction — Letter 
to  Sir  John  JcIidu:)— interposition  of  the  women— Address  of  Cvnnt  in  reply— 
In(ii.iti  t»amrs  rird  instiines- -National  f;ame  of  Cricket — Great  <iome  at  Grand 
River,  between  the' Stneoas  and  Mohawks- Judge  Woodruff's  visit  to  Brant's 
i-esidenco— DiHi-ription  of  his  person — Indian  funeral? — Respeet  lor  the  d( ad— 
Estimate  of  women— Their  influence — Funeral  speech  of  .'^pncca-(i<oi-ge — Death 
of  Mrs.  Clans— Speech  of  condolence  by  Captain  Brant— Captain  T'laus  in  reply 
Brant's  visit  to  Nc^v.York,  Philadelphia,  and  Hartford,  in  1797- Attentions  to 
liim  in  Philadelphia- Dinner  party  of  Colonel  Burr— Talleyrand  and  olh"r  dis- 
tinguishcd  guests— Letter  of  introduction  from  Colonel  Burr  to  his  dani;hter— Pin- 
ner p^rty  in  his  honor  bv  Miss  Theodosia — His  nianmrs  described  by  Dr.  Mil- 
ler  and  by  General  Porter— Designs  upon  his  life  in  the  Moliawk  country— The 
late  John  Wells— Striking  incident  in  Albany— Anecdotes— Brant  and  Genernl 
Gansevoort— Brant  and  Colonel  Van  Courtlandl— Reasons  of  Brant  for  tsking 
up  arms  for  the  King — His  leasonings  in  defence  of  the  Indian  mode  ol  warfare. 

Had  no  other  subjects  demanded  the  consideratioi),  and  re- 
quired the  active  personal  exertions,  of  Captain  Brant,  dta'itig 
the  last  twelve  years  of  his  career,  than  those  already  reviewed, 
his  life  must  still  have  been  considered  one  of  uncommon  in- 
dustry. But  the  cares  upon  his  hands  were  multitudinous  in 
other  respects.  His  desire  for  the  moral  and  social  improvement 
of  his  people  led  him  to  a  vigilant  oversicrht  of  all  their  domes- 
tic concerns.  Ilude  txs  was  their  government,  it  was  still  to  be 
administered,  and  a  domestic  police,  of  some  kind,  was  to  be  ol)- 
3erved.  The  administration  of  their  government,  moreover, 
was  probably  attended  by  none  the  less  difficulty  from  the  pe- 
culiar position  in  which  the  ]\Iohawk  Indians  were  nVicedat 
that  particular  period  of  their  history.     Their  sociei  5  in  a 

transition  state— ',. 'ng  neither  the  hunter  no^  ^he  ; :  •  juitural, 
but  partaking  in,  i.  of  both  ;  while,  notwithsta  ,  ,  le  advice 
of  the  Duke  of  xNonuumbcrland.  it  was  the  stnr,  uesire  of  the 
Chief  to  draw  them  from  the  former  to  the  latter  coarse  of  life. 
Before  their  transplantation  from  their  native  vi  ilty,  th.y  had, 
many  of  them,  made  considerable  advances  in  thf>  i,;rsnit  of 
husbandry,  Brant  himself  having  cultivated  an  exi.  ii^'nt  faini 


1W»1 


it 


nfj 


'5.J 


CIVILIZATION   OP   ins    PEOPLE. 


431 


jn  the  neighborliood  of  General  Herkimer's  residence  near  tli„ 
Lpper  Mol.awI.  Castle;*  and  though  the  vicissitudes  of  w, 

-'  t  Chief  had  210  Idea  of  relinquishing  the  certainty  o^  a.-ncul 

INo   was  he  ignorant  of  what  alone  can  form  the  has,   of  an 
mdustrious  and  truly  moral  comniunity.     Whether  1  ™  ,  i, 

•  ;:"'"  ''  ^'-^P-'--^^-l  -Ii»--on,  in  the  evangelical  Co 
l.e  tei  n,  is  a  question  which  it  is  not  the  province  of  the  hi« 
tonan  to  decide.  There  is  no  doubt  that  1^  wa.  a  believe  u 
he  great  and  essential  truths  of  revelation,  and  U  is  equ  llvl 
tain  that  after  his  return  from  Dr.  Wheolock's  schoT  ;: 
the  subject  of  deep  religious  impressions.  But  whether  tlZ 
unpressions  were  entirely  e/faced  during  theWonl ye  J^^^^ 

engaged,  both  as  a  warrior  and  a  politieian-in  the  battle-/icld^ 
n  the  council  of  war,  and  in  the  Indian  Congix^ss-th lead m. 
^e  solitudes  oi  his  native  forests,  or  amidst  the^plend^^  S 
on      13r  tish  metropolis-is  not  for  th.  writer  to  afJirm  or  d     ^ 
Be  this,  liowever,  as  it  may,  he  was  a  man  of  too  much  sao-ac  tj 
ot  to  perceive  the  importance  of  education  and  religion  1^  a  ' 
I  aries  in  carrying  forward  the  moral  and  social  in2v  .rient' 
of  his  nation;  and  the  preponderance  of  testimonv  avor      /e 
iI'T:  r  ';:rr'-^-f^^ofiUe  spiritual  mterTts'S 
hi.  charge.     It  ha^  been  seen,  that  when  quite  a  younc.  man  ha 
-s  engaged  with  the  Episcopal  and  othc.  ChriJtianCioi 
ne  ,  ..sisting  m  translating  the  Church  Prayer  Boole  anT    o 
Holy  Scriptures      Ard  immediately  after  the  close  of  the  Ic^^^ 
conthct  in  which  he  had  borne  so  active  a  part,  he  wa    a.a  n 
found  recurring  of  his  own  volition,  to  the' same  labors  ^nd 
uponntending  the  printing  of  the  Gospel  of  Mark,  and  JZ 
eh,nous  works,  m  London.     One  of  his  first  stipuh  tions  w  t 
the  Commander-in-chief,  on  the  acquisition  of  his  new  torritov 
was  for  the  building  of  a  church,  a  school-house,  and -i  flon  ^ 
n  1;  and  no  sooner  had  the  North-western  Indian  warr,! 


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432 


LIFE   OF   BHANT. 


[1797. 


means  of  imparting  to  his  people  a  knowledge  of  their  relation 
X6  God,  and  the  conse  [nences  llovving  theiofroni.  In  proof  of 
this  assertion,  the  following  letter  may  bo  appropriately  iniro- 
dnced : — 

Captain  Brant  to  Siii  John  Johnson,  Bau't. 

«  Grand  River,  Dec.  15,  1797. 

"  Dkar  Sik, 

"  Since  writing  the  letter  accompanying  this,  the  Chiefs  have 
conferred  together  respecting  the  state  of  religion  among  the  Five 
Nations,  which  now  appears  to  be  a  snbject  of  more  serions  con- 
nideration  among  them  than  formerly.  We  are  sensible,  Sir,  ot 
the  o-oodness  of  Government,  among  other  benefits,  in  accom- 
modating us  with  a  church,  and  we  have  long  been  desirous  of 
having  a  clergyman  to  reside  constantly  with  us  ;  this,  we  appre- 
hend, would  be  highly  prDmotive  of  morality  and  the  Christian 
virtues  among  our  people.  We  do  not  complain,  Sir,  of  the 
neglect  of  the  society  in  this  respect,  as  we  are  satisfied  that 
their  benevolent  attention  to  mankind  has  been  equal  to  their 
means  ;  for  this  reason  we  have  hitherto  omitted  making  appli 
cation  to  them  upon  this  head.  Besides,  we  are  sensible  how 
difficult  it  must  be  for  them  to  find  a  suitable  character  willing 
to  settle  among  us  in  this  rude  and  distant  quarter. 

''  In  order  to  dischars:e  my  duty  in  this  important  affair,  and 
that  I  may  rest  in  peace,  1  have  conferred  with  a  gentleman  oCa 
liberal  education,  Mr.  Davenport  Phelps,  with  whose  character 
and  fomily  I  have  long  been  acquainted,  who  has  ample  testi- 
monials respecting  his  literary  and  moral  qualifications,  and 
who,  I  believe,  will  consent  to  devote  his  life  to  the  service  of  the 
Church  among  us,  provided  his  Lordship,  the  Bishop  of  (int;- 
bec,  shall  think  proper  to  ordain  him  to  the  sacred  office.  Mr, 
Phelps  with  great  candor  observes,  that  from  his  not  having 
been  so  conversant  with  books  for  a  number  of  years  past  as  lie 
could  have  wished,  particularly  classical  ones,  lie  is  diilidrnt  of 
a  critical  examinfition  in  the  dead  languages.  But,  Sir,  from  his 
treneral,  I  may  say  almost  universal,  character  among  the  dis- 
cerning, I  consider  the  prospect  of  his  usefulness  among  us  ver> 
o-reat ;  and  assure  you  that  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Chiefs  in  gene- 
ral, and  my  most  ardent  wish,  that  he  may  be  ordained  a  mis- 
sionary for  the  Five  Nations  on  this  ri\er.    And  from  yonr 


S:  t^ 


"««,. 


1790. 


CIVILIZATION   OP   HIS    PEOPLE. 


433 


oflicial  relation  to  us,  I  take  the  liberty  of  begcrinrr  you  to  com- 
iniuiicate  our  wishes  to  his  Lordship  the  Uishop  rospectinr.  this 
sroutlomuii,  th.it  we  may  be  informed,  if  possible,  before  the 
opcMimg  ot  the  Sprmg,  whether  u  character  of  Mr.  Phelps's  de- 
scription will  be  approved  by  his  Lordship,  and  d(..emed  a  proper 
subject  for  ordination. 

"  I  am,  dear  sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient 
"  And  humble  serv't, 

•^  Sir  John  Johnson,  BarUP 

"P.  S.  I  know  you  will  excuse  my  observing  that  we  shaH  be 
glad  to  know  what  sum  the  society,  and  what  government  will 
severally  think  proper  to  allow  our  .uissionary ;  since,  should 
their  allowances  be  insufficient  for  his  support,  by  other  means 
it  must  be  made  adequate." 

The  Baronet  lost  no  lime  in  bringing  the  subject  before  the 
Bishop,  but  difficulties  were  interposed  by  his  Lordship,  and  an 
ocoasional  correspondence  of  two  or  three  years  ensued,  belbro 
the  wishes  of  the  Indians,  for  the  ordination  of  a  spiritual  teach- 
er, were  complied  with.     The  first  objection  m^is  that  the  can- 
didate for  orders  had  not  been  examined.     In  reply.  Captain 
Brant  apologized  for  their  ignorance  as  to   the  pre-requisi(es, 
and  urged  that  an  examination  might  be  undergone  before  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Addison,  "who,  having  gone  through  the  forms  him 
"self,  must  be  acquainted  with  the  bus^iness."     Both  the  Chief 
and  his  people  were  impatient  ,if  delay  ;  and  the  Captain  remind- 
ed the  Bishop,  through  Sir  John,  of  the  pledge  which  the  Arch- 
bishoD  of  Canterbury  had  made  to  him  in  the  presence  of  the 
King,  that  whenever  the  Indians,  by  the  erection  of  a  church, 
should  be  ready  for  religious  instruction,  he  v/ould  do  all  in  his 
power  to  supply  their  wants. 

In  the  Spring  of  179'.-  *'  o  Chief  had  an  earnest  correspon 
dence  with  Mr.  Russell,  ;'  provincial  Governor,  upon  the  sub 
ject,  in  the  course  of  wliich,  in  one  of  his  letters,  he  said :— . 
"  With  respect  to  any  uncertainty  or  difficulty  there  may  be  in 
"obtaining  a  salary  from  government,  we  would  wish  that  that 
"should  not  entirely  r  ;  '  -ain  his  Lordship;  for,  should  govern- 
"nientnot  be  willing  tomint  an  ftljowance  for  a     hrgyman, 


i"     k'"> 


■If.      *•-!♦ 


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It 


^^^^^^^■"-i  '<  1  (M 

'I. ' 

^^^^■x-.* 

J 

431 


LIFE    OF    nRANT. 


[1799. 


"soonnr  tliiin  v/nnt  one  wc  would  strain  every  point  oursolves 
"to  prociin  asiilary,  und  would  be  joined  by  several  respcctu- 
"ble  fftiiiiliosof  white  people  iu  the  noi'r^^'nrhood." 

Ill  tlic  Summer  of  the  foUou  mg  year,  on  his  roturu  from  a 
visit,  to  the  lower  province,  the  Captain  met  with  the  Lord 
Dinhup  fit  Kingston,  and  again  urged  his  attention  to  the  sui)j('ct ; 
jilid,  as  he  sujiposed,  arranged  matters  for  an  examination  of 
Mr.  Phelps  at  Niagara,  to  which  place  his  Lordship  was  prepar- 
ing to  extend  his  visit.  But  there  was  again  disappointment, 
arising  from  a  cause  altogether  unexpected.  The  following 
H])irited  letter  will  disclose  the  motive  of  the  delay: 

Captain  Brant  to  the  Chief  Justice. 

"  Grand  River, * 

«8in, 

"  I  feel  myself  under  the  necessity  of  representing  to  your 
Honor,  that  from  the  consideration  of  the  great  importance  of 
having  u  mist^ionary  resident  among  the  Indians,  and  that  from 
the  Knowledge  I  have  long  had  of  Mr.  Davenport  Phelps,  and 
my  particular  acquaintance  with  his  family  and  connexions,  ! 
have  been  earnestly  desiiiais  that  he  might  be  ordained  to  tlint 
olllcc.  To  this  end,  the  Winter  !  'fore  last  1  wrote  the  Honora- 
ble Sir  John  J*  t;  ison,  vliocomi  nicated  my  wishes,  and  those 
of  the  other  chiels,  in  this  respect,  to  his  Lordship  the  Bishop  of 
Uncbcc.  No  dpterminate  answer  was  given,  and  in  consc- 
qiieiiCG  the  subjer*  thus  remained  ti'l  the  Summ  ■  •  past,  when,  on 
iny  return  from  Lov.er  Canada,  at  Kingston,  in  a  conversation 
with  his  Lordship,  he  was  pleased  to  '  <press  the  utmost  reaili- 
noss  to  do  what  was  incumber-t  on  am  lo  carry  what  was  de- 
wired  into  effect— manifestin;^^  ?heorful  willingness  to  examine 
Mr.  Phelps,  in  order  to  his  <      aaf    n. 

"  Thus  circumstanced,  I .  ^uestca  Mr.  Phelps  to  accompany 
mo  to  Newarkjt  to  offer  himself  for  examination  ;  it  to  my 
great  disappointment  found,  that  previous  to  our  arrival  his 
Lordfhip  liad  sailed  for  Quebec.  1  was.  Sir,  however,  surprised 
to  learn,  that  he  had  left  information  pointedly  against  the  ex- 

•  Thn  (late  is  wanting  in  the  copy.    It  must  have  been,  however,  toward  'Jio 

closoof  1709. 

>  For.i.erly  a  town  nn  the  Niagara— now  railed  Niagara. 


171(0.] 


CIVILIZATION    OP   Ills    PKOPLK. 


435 


pccto.1  examination ;  which,  though  then  to  me  mysterious,  I 
more  fully  undorstaud  since  tiie  arrival  of  his  Excellency  Go- 
vernor Iluutor,  at  that  place,  who  has  told  me  that  he  had  been 
informed  that  ^Ir.  Pholps  had  been  at  the  head  of  a  mob  in  the 
piovuice.  This  charge,  replete  with  odi-um,  I  have  good  evi- 
(leiu.o  to  believe  wan  originally  made  by  Mr.  White,  Attorney 
OoiKM  al,  and  as  long  ago  as  1705.  I  must  acknowlc(l<re,  Sir, 
that  It  IS  unaccountable  in  my  mind  hovr  a  charge  of  this  na- 
ture, made  by  one  whose  duty  it  is  to  prosecute  seditious  practi- 
ces,  should  remain  unnoticed  until  so  late  a  period,  and  then  bo 
siiggestuJ,  as  I  have  too  much  reason  to  believe,  to  defeat  a  pur- 
pose earnestly  desired  by  many  friends  to  the  cause  of  relio-ion 
and  morality.  * 

"  1  cannot,  in  justice  to  truth,  omit  to  observe  that  the  propo- 
sal of  Mr.  Phelps's  being  ordained  to  the  church  did  not  origin- 
ate wi' ■  him,  (nor  has  it  since  been  solicited  by  him,)  but"  by 
myself  .  A  others  of  respectability,  who  have  long  known  his 
virtues  and  bilities;  wlio  have  an  indubitable  cTaim  to  the 
honor  of  i  g  defended  this  country  against  the  King's  ene- 
mies; and  whose  -alty  and  discernment  cannot  with  decency 
be  disputed.  If,  u  over,  a  charge  of  this  nature  be  proved,  I 
shall  remain  silent.  If  not,  I  humbly  conceive  justice  and  hu- 
manity require  that  due  reparation  be  made. 

«  Your  Honor's  love  of  justice  makes  me  confident  of  your 
best  advice,  and  wise  interference  in  this  afFair. 

"I  cannot  but  farther  observe,  that,  considering  the  nature 
and  circumstances  of  this  affair,  I  have  a  right  to  expect  that 
Mr,  White,  or  whoever  else  has  made  this  charge,  be  called  on 
to  prove  it  without  delay.  I  shail  be  much  obliged  by  your 
answer  to  this  by  the  beaier.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &  c." 

It  is  manifest  from  this  letter,  that  the  government  wen  enter- 
tainmg  political  objections  to  the  candidate.  The  condict  of 
the  Mtorney-General,  however,  would  not  stand  the  scrut.ny  to 
which  the  Mohawk  was  disposed  to  subject  it.  Nothing  i  m\d 
be  more  ap|.,irent  than  that  the  charge  was  either  frivobus,  or 
addiK  1  as  a  pretext,  or  that  the  Attorney  General  had  been 
remiss  in  the  performance  of  his  own  official  duty.  Th3  In- 
dians  still  adhered  to  Mr.  Phelps ;  and  such  was  the  strength 
of  then-  attachment  to  him,  that  Captain  Brant  ubsequemly 
prepaird  a  formal  memorial  to  the  Lord  Bishop,  setting  forth 


r'; 


1^4 


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41 

4  ;l 


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■'••i<i« 


4'Jb  LIFE   OF    nUANT.  [ISOO 

lus  (!Xcel lent  quii. lies— his  tuleiit.s,liis  virtues,  and  his  loyalty- 
and  uvir'nig  his  ordination,  "as  tlicir  choice  had  been,  and  still 
«  was,  fixed  on  him,  in  preference  to  any  other."*  But  every 
cdbrt  to  obtain  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Phelps  from  the  English 
prelate  was  fruitless,  and  the  attention  of  Captain  Urant  was 
thereiii)on  directed  to  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States, 
throujjli  the  interposition  of  General  Chapin,  the  American 
Indian  A<rent  residing  at  Canandaigua,  and  Colonel  Aaron  Burr. 
Mr.  Phelps,  the  canlidate  for  orders,  visited  the  city  of  New- 
York,  and  was  the  bearer  of  the  Ibllowing  letter  to  Colonel 
Burr  upon  the  subject : — 

Captain  Brant  to  Colonel  Bunn. 

«  Grand  River,  May  7,  1800. 

"Sill, 
"  About  three  weeks  since,  I  received  a  message  from  O'llnil 
to  attend  a  council  at  Buffalo,  where  I  expected  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you.     We  attended,  and  wnited  a  few  days ;    but  tlu; 

♦  The  warmth  of  Brant's  friciiilihip  for  Mr.  Phelps,  and  the  strength  of  his 
ailaclimcnt  to  him,  are  e.xplnincil  hy  the  circumstance  that  Mr.  Piiclps  had  miiriinl 
the  (hiu'-hter  of  the  elder  President  WheelocU,  with  whom  the  Chief  had  duiihllt  ss 
become°acqiiaint('il  while  at  the  Moor  Charity  School.  As  Mr.  Phelps  suhsrqucnl- 
jy  became  the  pioneer  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  the  western  part  of  the  !>tiil.'  ol 
New-Yo;lt,  some  further  notice  of  him  will  he  proper  in  this  place.  He  was  a  na- 
tive of  Hebron,  (Connecticut,)  where  he  was  born  in  1755.  He  was  graduated  ut 
Yale  Collce,  with  high  credit  for  his  classical  atlninments,  in  1775.  Soon  after- 
ward he  entered  the  army  of  Ih  •  Revolution,  in  Colonel  Pcudle's  reaimcnt— was 
made  prisoner  and  taken  to  Montreal,  where  he  remained  so  long  that  he  acquired 
the  French  language  so  as  to  speak  it  with  elegance.  He  was  married  toCaliiarino 
Wheelock  in  17S3,  and  was  for  a  time  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  cum 
pany  with  his  brothers-in-law,  Ebenezer  and  James  Wheelock,  in  Hartford  (Conn,) 
He  afterward  removed  to  New-Hampshire,  where  he  practised  law,  and  servi d  nj  a 
manistrate.  In  1702  he  visited  Upper  Canada  m  company  with  James  Whciloek, 
where  they  Jointly  obtained  a  grant  of  eighty-four  thousand  acres  of  land  from  Go- 
vernor Simcoe.  Soon  afterward  ho  removed  his  family  to  Upper  Canada,  and 
settled  for  a  time  at  Niagara,  where  he  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  csta- 
blished  a  printing-office.  He  also  had  a  mercantile  concern  at  that  place,  the  husi- 
ness  of  which  was  chiefly  conducted  by  an  agent.  He  had  a  taste  for  agricultural 
and  horticultural  pursuits,  and  paid  much  attention  to  husbandry  and  the  cultivation 
of  fruit.  A  close  intimacy  siibasted  between  hims* ""  and  Captain  Brant,  and 
between  their  families.  He  appears  to  have  been  early  a  religious  man,  and  had, 
for  some  time  anterior  to  Brant's  application  in  his  behalf  for  orders,  a  strong  desire 
fx)  enter  the  Episcopal  Church.— JVJS.  Life  of  Rev.  Davenport  Phelps,  in  prepara- 
Hon  hy  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rudd  of  Utica. 


■'■>■■  11- 1 


IPO.M 


MCTTEa  TO  COLONKL  HURR. 


437 


;  "nf.  tl...r..  not  iH.n,,  rc.,uly  to  moot  „s,  and  wo  I,avin;r  l,„sincss 
llMt  r...,u,n,(i  „nr  .at.ndanco  at  this  placo,  were  nnder  tl>e  ne- 
vHs.ty  of  con.n.jf  away.  Had  I  been  .so  fort.n.ato  as  to  havo 
ina  yoii  t  ,..rn,  ,t  was  my  intention  to  havo  corivors.d  will,  you' 
np;;"  H  Hul,n..t  wind.  I  have  lon^  considered  as  n.ost  important 
-'..■•  |m..M,ntand  Cutnro  well-hein^of  the  Indians  on  lJksi.Je. 
01  thn  laic,  and  at  htr^e ;  namely,  their  situation  in  a  moral 
pornl  of  viow,  and  concerning  measures  pro,>cr  to  he  taken  in 
order  that  regular  and  stated  rclicrious  instrnction  mi-ht  be  in- 
irodnced  anionic  them.  ^ 

"  Vol.  w.ni  K-now,  Sir,  the  general  state  of  the  Indians  resid- 
...!,'  <m  Omnd  River,  as  well  as  in  other  parts.  A  consid.ra!,Ie 
n"".lH|r  of  «omo  of  those  nations  have  long  since  embraced 
hn.  .an.ly,  and  the  conversion  of  others  must  depend,  under 
'"'  ""l"';'"^"  ol  the  Great  Spirit,  on  the  faifhf.d  labors  of  a  rosi- 
'l';"t  iniiMster,  who  might  visit  and  instruct  both  here  and  else- 
where, «H  ways  and  doors  might  from  time  to  time  be  opened 
tor  hnn,  '■ 

"The  establishment   and  enlargement   of  civilization   and 
Unistuin.ly  an.ong  the  natives  must  be  most  earnestlv  desired 
by  all  good  men;  and  as  religion  and  morality  resp^^ct  man- 
kind at  large,  without  any  reference  to  the  boundaries  of  civil 
povern.mmts,  I  Hatter  myself  that  you,  Sir,  will  approve  what 
mnyal  the  chiefs  here,  with  myself,  are  so  gn;atly  desirous  of. 
"  I  Imvo  w  view,  as  I  have  before  suggested,  the  welfare  ot 
the  hidians  ut  large  ;  being  fully  persuaded  that  i.othino-  can  so 
gn-atly  conlrilmte  to  their  present  and  future  happiness'as  their 
being  brought  into  the  habits  of  virtue  and  morality,  which   I 
trust,  may  and  will  be  gradually  eflbcted  by  instrnction,  if  pro- 
perly attended  and  enforced  by  example. 

"  I  well  know  the  difficulty  of  finding  a  r^ontleman  suitably 
qiuilifiod,  and  willing  to  devote  his  life  to  the" work  of  a  mission 
ary  among  them;  and  especially  one  of  talents  and  manners  to 
render  him  agreeable  in  a  degree  highly  to  favor  his  usefulness 
And,  m  order  to  satisfy  myself  in  this  respect,  I  faithfully  in- 
quired  and  consulted,  and  am  clearly  of  opinion,  tliat  Mr.  Daven- 
port Phelps,  who  is  recommended  as  a  gentleman  of  virtue  and 
respeclablo  accompli  hments,  is  the  most  suitable  character  for 
tins  olhce  of  any  one  within  my  knowledge.  My  long  acquaint- 
micu  with  hi^.  family,  and  particular  knowledge  of  Inm,  as  well 


T.f's 


♦f    P 


M.  -1 

is: 

Mil 

11? 

I-'!.  .     ' 


438 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1801, 


as  the  opinion  and  wishes  of  the  most  respectable  characters 
among  the  white  people  in  this  vicinity,  who  earnestly  wi^h, 
for  themselves  as  well  as  for  us,  that  lie  may  be  ordained  a  mis- 
sionary, make  me  earnestly  hope  that  you  will  officially  recom- 
mend  both  the  design  and  him  to  the  Right  Reverend  Bishops 
in  the  United  States,  or  to  some  one  of  them,  and  to  such  other 
characters  as  you  may  think  proper. 

"  From  the  consideration  that  religion  and  politics  o'-e  dis- 
tinct subjects,  we  should  not  only  be  well  satisfied  to  receive 
a  Missionary  from  a  Bishop  in  the  United  States,  but,  for  va- 
rious other  reasons,  would  prefer  one  from  thence. 

"  VVc  shall  be  able  hereto  do  something  considerable  towards 
Mr.  Phelps's  support;  and  I  doubt  not  but  others,  who  have 
ability,  will  be  disposed  to  assist  in  promoting  so  good  a  work. 
I  will  add  no  more  than  that  I  have  great  satisfaction  in  being 
confident  of  your  friendly  and  influential  exertions  in  this  im- 
portant affair,  and  that  I  am,  with  great  sincerity,  yours,  &c., 

"  Joseph  Brant."" 

The  application  to  the  American  Church  was  successful,  and 
the  Missionary  was  oidained.f    But  whether  the  measure  was 

•  Brant  had  had  some  previous  acquaintance  with  Co'oncl  Burr  and  liis  f-'inily, 
as  will  appear  in  a  subsequent  page.  This  letter  was  enclosed  by  Colonel  I')iirr  to 
his  daughter  Theodosia,  then  Mrn.  Alston,  in  December,  1801,  with  the  following 

rcmr.rk  : "Yesterday  Mr.  Phelps,  mentioned  in  the  enclosed,  delivered  to  mn  tun 

pair  of  moccasins,  directed—"  From  Captain  Joseph  Brant  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alston." 
Vonr  fliip  having  sailed,  1  don't  know  how  or  when  1  shall  forward  them  to  you; 
but  we  will  see.  I  send  the  original  letter  of  Captc  in  Brant,  merely  to  show  how  nn 
Indian  can  write.  It  is  his  own  hand-writing  and  composition.  Upon  this  notice 
of  his  attention  you  should  write  him  a  letter  of  acknowledgment  for  his  hospitu- 
litv,"  &c.  The  author  will  here  remark,  that  the  orthography  of  Captain  Brant 
was  remarkable  and  almost  invariably  accurate. 

t  Mr.  Phelps  was  ordained  a  Deacon  in  Trinity  Church,  in  the  city  of  New- 
York,  by  Bishop  Benjamin  Moore,  on  Sunday,  December  13,  1801.  He  imme- 
diately returned  to  Canada,  nnd  entered  upon  the  active  duties  of  a  missionary,  hold- 
ing fn  qi.ent  services,  and  travelling  far  and  wide  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  His 
residence  then,  and  fur  several  -oars  before,  was  upon  his  farm  about  three  miles 
from  Burlington  Bay.  Captain  Brant  had  repeatedly  endeavored  to  induce  him  lo 
accept  a  grant  of  land,  probably  with  a  view  to  his  residence  with,  or  near  him, 
at  Grand  River,  but  without  success— as  the  accumulation  of  wealth  was  not  the 
desire  of  Mr.  Phelps.  In  1803  he  was  ordained  as  a  priest  in  St.  Peter's  Cliureli, 
Albany,  also  by  Bishop  Moore.  Thenccfoiward  he  entered  upon  the  life  of  a  mis- 
sionaryinthc  western  part  of  Now-Yoik,  ami  in  1805  removed  his  family  from 
Upper  Canada  to  Onnndaiia.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Geneva,  where  be  died 
some  years  sinoe, — jVS.  Account  vf  his  life  by  Dr.  RudJ. 


439 


1801.J  INTEUCOURSK    WITH   MISSIONARIES. 

facilitated  by  the  exertions  of  Colonel  Burr,  is  not  known.  The 
subject  has  been  treated  thus  at  large,  for  the  purpose  of  deve  o^ 
ing  with  more  d.st.nctness  the  religious  bias  of  the  Chieftau  's 
character  as  Illustrated  by  the  earnest  perseverance  with  wh.ch 
ho  sought  the  Christian  improvement  of  his  people.  From 
otiier  letters  and  documents  among  his  papers,  it  is  farther  ren- 

tlio  Uni        States  were  m  occasional  correspondence  with  him 
upon  rcnigious  and  otlrer  subjects  connected  with  the  history 
aud  condu;on  of  his  people.     H.s  house,  likewise,  seems  to  imve 
been    he  free  and  open  quarters  of  the  Missionaries  employed 
I    tliat  early  stage  of  the  modern  missionary  enterprise,  amonl 
the  borderers,  both  Anglo-Saxon  and  Aboriginal.*     As  an  ex" 
ample  of  this  description  of  con.spondence,  the  following  letter 
IS  given-for  the  double  purpose  of  showing  the  estimate  da  S 
upon  the  character  of  Captain  Brant  by  the  great  and  good  ol 
that  d:^,  and  ot  embalming  the  name  of  one  oHhe  most  devou 
and  fm.hful  pio.  eersof  Christianity  that  ever  made  the  wilde 
ness  rmg  w.th  the  Gospel  trumpet-the  Rev.  Elkanah  Holmes  : 

Rev.  John  M.  Mason,  D.  D.,  to  Capta.n  Braxt. 
^  "  New-  YorL;  June  10,  1801. 

•OIR, 

"The  Directors  of  the  New-York  Missionary  Society  have 

nstruoed  me  to  tender  you  their  acknowledgments  for  your 

friendship  to  their  missionary,  the  Rev.  Elkanah  Holmes  t  This 

gentleman,  m  whose  discretion  and  integrity  they  repos^  entire 

oifidence  they  have  employed  m  a  second  mission  to  those 

tnbes  of  Indians  whom  your  influence  particularly  affects. 

♦  Mr  Phelps  had  much  intercourse  with  Captain  Brant  and  his  family      Wl,n„ 
e  preac  ed  m  the  vicinity  of  the  family  of  uj.t,  that  household  f  rn"  rpar^and 
a  very  attentive  pa.t.  of  his  audienco.-.WS.  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rudd.  ^     ' 

J     K   .    ','T   f """''  """y  y'"'  '"  missionary  labors  amon.  the  Indians  of 
ho,„  he  took  h.s  leave  about  the  year  1812.    He  lived  many  yea^s   Lw    d  and 
dedataveryadvaneedage.    Like  Heckev  elder,  he  imbibed  tL  mo  tnlulatic 
a  rn.a,.on  of  the  Indian  char,. cter  in  its  native  unsophisticated  state     Into"; 

-;nds,.n,dHnk.    Hisappearaneein-^ttt  :::rL;r;::  tj^ 
narchal      His  hair,  long  and  white,  fell  down  upon  his  shoulders  •  hi.  manne   w„. 


>«  ••• 

I"  • " «    »•    .  I 

I"     <     M 


410 


l.ri'K    OF    nil  ANT. 


[1801. 


f!>".      ■! 


T'lo  purity  of  flu'ir  vi(!\VH,  cmliraciiii^  the  moral  and  religion?! 
iiilorests  of  tiio  liidimis,  induces  tliein  to  believe  that  tlunr 
attempts  will  not  Im!  iinacceptiiblc  to  you  ;  and  your  former 
kindness  to  Mr.  I lolnie.s  emboldens  them  to  ask  (or  him  sucli 
countenaiice  and  advire  as  your  intimate  knowledge  of  Indiiiii 
ullairs,  and  the  W(!i>,dit  of  your  opinion  in  directing  them,  ren- 
der it  expedierU  (or  you  to  give.  For  your  fartlier  satisfaction 
with  regard  to  tho  missionary  system,  Mr.  Holmes  will  present 
you  with  a  volume  coiitiiining  the  sermons  preached  hefore  the 
Society,  and  the  /itmiml  accoimtsof  their  procedure  ;  of  which 
the  duectors  do  llujuisolvcs  the  pleasure  to  request  your  accept- 
ance. 

"  With  respect,  I  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  John  M.  Mason,  Secretary. 
'*  Captain,  Josejili  Urania 

The  Chief  was  likewise  in  correspondence  with  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Miller  of  New- York,  now  Doctor  Miller,  of  Princeton, 
as  appears  by  tho  following  letter  ; — 

Captain  Bjiant  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Miller. 

«  Grand  River,  Feb.  9,  1801. 
"Sir, 
"  I  feel  a  particular  satisfaction  that  1  have  now  had  an  op- 
portunity of  answering  your  letter  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Holmes.  I 
liiive  explained,  us  fur  as  in  my  power,  the  queries  you  have 
proposed.  I  hopi!  you  will  excuse  the  long  delay  I  hav(^  made 
s'.ice  I  received  your  letter,  and  not  altogether  attribute  it  to  ne- 
glect or  unwilhiignons  to  serve  you  ;  for  I  have  myself  a  strong 
inclination  for  scurc.liing  into  the  antiquities  of  our  nations  and 
others,  but  the  multiplicity  of  business  I  have  always  had  on 
hand,  has  hitherto  pnivcnted  me.  Even  now,  what  I  have  said 
on  the  subj(!ct  is  in  linstc,  and  as  brief  as  possible.  Should  it 
so  happen  that  I  uiiglu  have  it  in  my  power  further  to  assist 
yoi.i,  I  shall  do  it  with  |)leasure.* 

•  It  is  a  inalt«r  of  no  nfititll  rpgrrt  that  tlie  autlior  lina  not  liepn  able  to  procure  a 
copy  of  lh«  icMcr  r<'f<'ri-i'(l  in.  At  thn  limo  wlion  ttio  now  venerable  Dr.  Milleropenpri 
a  correjponiir'nci' wiiii  Hriiiil,  he  wn»  projccling  a  Hisiory  of  jYeie-York,  iu\(\  vm 
then  collecting  inutarittU  for  timt  oliject.    Brant  hud  also  contemplated  writing 


ISOl.] 


LETTER   TO   DR.   MILLER. 


441 


"I  cannot  omit  acknowledging  the  satisfaction  1  feel  frorr 
what  the  Rev.  Mr.  Holmes  luus  ac,uaintod  n.  with^pL      ' 
the  generous  m.ent.ons  of  your  society  for  diffusing  religion 
and  c,vil,^at.on  among  the  Indian  nations  m  general.     I  would 
bo  happy  to  hear  from  you,  how  far  your  society  may  prono  e 
.0  extend  the.r  goodness,  with  respect  to  the  educLon'nXn 
youths  tha  might  be  well  recommended  to  them.     And  also  Tf 
.hey  would  be  willing,  and  it  might  be  consistent  wit  IhLir 
oousntufon,  o  assist  some  Indians  who  have  yet  claims  o 
..  s  m    he  Umted  States,  such  as  the  NantikoLs  in  M  vry- 
land,  and  tiie  Munsees  near  Minisink,  who  have  requested  me 
to  make  the  application.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Holmes  .an  mo  e  par! 
ticiilarly  mform  you  on  this  subject "  ^ 

Unfortunately  the  Mohawks,  like  all  other  primitive  Ameri- 
ca nations  with  whom  the  white  people  Lave  come  in  contac 
were  lovers  of  rum,  and  subject,  of  course,  to  the  evils  conse 
quent  upon  that  species  of  debasement.     The  prevalence  of  this 
v.ce  seems  to  have  been  viewed  with  deep  solicitude  by  Tapta h 
Brant,  and  a  system  of  prevention  early  entered  into  his  views 
on  commencmg  the  labor  of  building  up  his  nation  anew.     Bu 
all  expenence  has  shown  how  futUe  are  these  attempts  to  keep 
e.ro  waters  from  the  lips  of  the  Indian,  so  long  as'unpru  I 
led  w  nte  men  are  permitted  to  approach  their  borders  with 
tlie-r  alembics,  or  minister  the  ready-made  liquor  to  their  burn- 
ing appetites.     In  "hke  manner  were  the  efforts  of  Captain  Brant 
«d.     In  a  letter  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  dated 'j^nlaoth 
\m,  in  reference  to  this  subject,  he  said :-"  The  accidents 
;  w  |ch  have  happened  in  the  drunken  frolics  here,  have  princi- 
P  1  y  proceeded  from  an  opposition  party  to  thosL  chiefS  who 
wtshed  to  adopt  some  necessary  regulations.     Captain  Glaus 

'•-  «  fit  orsicknes,  .„ieh  disabled  hi^  1^:^^^^^  1^^ ^ZT' 
q'l^w  was,  that  owing  to  the  curelessnesa  of  nff«.  h  ■  ""^ 

'•"ll.ctions  v/er<.  -rroatly  ,c„tf.r.H     T  "Vf-*™-  ^'^  manuscr.pts  and  historical 

1-t.erw.r..  t  HeU  r7of  ct^  n^^^  irrec-overaOly  lost.     Amongthe 


VOL.  II, 


a9 


van*     ^" 

,!:SI  ■■*• 


K  » 
:  s 


:i 


442 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1802, 


"  seems  very  uneasy,  and  wishes  to  take  some  steps  to  prevoii. 
'•  those  mUmcholy  misfortunes.  He  urges  me  to  point  out  soinu 
"  mode  in  which  it  can  be  ctiectcd.  In  answer  I  furnislicd  liiin 
"  in  v/riting  with  a  detail  of  tlie  plan,  (of  which  I  presume  lie 
«  will  scud  you  a  copy,)  which  was  adopted  when  wc  lirsl  set- 
"  tied  here,  and  which  could  at  that  time  have  been  carried  into 
'elioct,  but  for  the  insurmountable  impediments  thrown  in  tlic 
«  way  by  the  government.  1  should  bo  glad  of  your  opiuiuii 
"on  this  unfortunate  subject." 

It  must  be  reckoned  among  the  mysteries  in  the  economy  of 
Providence,  that  women,  of  every  age,  and  hue,  and  clime,  arc 
doomed  to  suffer  more  severely  from  the  elTccts  of  intemperance 
in  the  other  sex  than  men.'  The  maddening  poison  of  the  in- 
toxicating cup  infuriates  the  stronger  passions  of  the  men,  and  im- 
parts fiend-like  energy  to  their  already  superior  physical  powers ; 
and  among  savage  as  well  as  civilized  men,  those  under  its  dia- 
bolical influence  often  wreak  their  senseless  violence  upon  the 
least  oflfending  and  the  least  capable  of  resistance.  It  was  thus 
among  the  Moliawks.  At  least  nothing  less  can  be  inferred 
from  the  following  memoranda  of  proceedings  upon  this  subject, 
among  the  papers  of  Captain  Brant  :— 

"On  the  2;2d  of  May,  1802,  the  women  assembled  in  conncil, 
to  which  they  called  the  chiefs.     They  then  addressed  them  as 

follows : 

«  Uncles  :  Some  time  ago  the  women  of  this  place  spoke  to 
you ;  but  you  did  not  then  answer  them,  as  you  ^considered 
their  meeting  not  sutiicient.  Now,  a  considerable  number  of 
those  from  below  having  met  and  consulted  together,  join  in 
sentiment,  and  lament  as  it  were  with  tears  in  our  eyes,  the  ma- 
ny misfortunes  caused  by  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors.  Wo 
therefore  mutually  request  ttuit  you  will  use  your  end-.avors  to 
have  it  removed  from  our  neighborhood,  tliat  there  may  be  none 
sold  mgher  to  us  than  tJw  mountain.  We  flatter  ourselves  that 
this  is  hi  your  power,  arid  that  you  will  have  compassion  on 
our  uneasiness,  and  exert  yourselves  to  liave  it  done." 

Ntr'mvs  of  Wampum. 

How  ltk«  w**inau  !  She  discerned  0m  cm^-  of  the  evil  she 
saw  and  felt :  yet  sJic  induIgr/1  no  resentments— she  com- 
plained not  of  hep  .s«ff.;ring.s  -bu*  mildly  entreated  that  thi< 
cause  might  be  removed.     Titus,  ever  f>rward  to  shield  those 


"■'K 


1803.] 


INTRODUCTION    OF    MlUllST    ai'IRlrs. 


443 

sho  loved  from  ternptatioa  anddaug-or,  by  hor  influence  and  ncr- 
snas.ons  exortnig  mi.rlu  in  her  weakness,  and  renderinc.  tho 
s  ro,^  man  stronger  by  her  anxious  yet  watehful  guardianshif, 
of  his  virtue.     But  their  counsel  did  not  end  here.     There  had 
boon  domest.c  feuds  and  collisions  among  their  lords.     ThP 
,boneca  demagogue  had  sown  dissensions  between  the  warriors^ 
and  then-  chje  s,  and  the  Mohawk  women  appeared  also  in  their 
ouMi  true  and  beneficent  character  of  peace-makers.     After  the 
portion  of  then-  address  quoted  above  had  been  delivered,  "  some 
othors,"  (says  the  manuscript,)  spolce  thus  :- 

'•■  Uaclbs  :  The  division  and  separation  of  the  warriors  from 
ho  chiefs  gives  us  much  uneasiness ;  we  therefore  entreat  you, 
both  chiefs  and  warriors,  that  you  will  bury  all  dispute,  that  oui^ 
aff  m-s  n.,y  go  on  with  the  usual  friendship  and  tranquility.     As 
M-  our  part,  we  have  been  in  a  great  measure  a  principal  cause 
in  influencing  our  male  relations;  but  we  now  drop  it.  ,-,nd 
pro.nise  to  observe  a  quite  difl-erent  conduct,  and  we  hope  in  fu- 
mro  that  no  reports  shall  be  able  to  rekindle  the  f.re  of  conten- 
qii.„  .       ,  .  ,  ^'Iriuffs  of  Wampum. 

Ihe  manner  in  which  these  rude  females  of  the  forest  made 
tho.r  appeal,  might  serve  us  a  pattern  of  delicacy  to  many  of  the 
sex  of  oftier  pretensions.  Nor  was  it  without  its  effect  upon  the 
comicil  of  chiefs  ,o  whom  it  was  addressed.  After  adjourning 
a  short  time  for  consideration,  they  returned,  and  Capta  n  Brant 
delivered  their"  reply  to  the  following  purpose  •- 

"NiEcs  :  We  are  fully  convinced  of  the  justice  of  your  re- 
quest ;  drmkmg  has  caused  the  many  misfortunes  in  this  place 
and  has  been,  beside.,  a  great  cause  of  the  divisions,  by  the 
ffect  It  has  upon  the  people's  speech.  We  assure  you,  therefore, 
tint  we  will  iise  our  endeavors  to  effect  what  you  desu-e.  How- 
over,  It  depends  m  a  great  measure  upon  government,  as  the  dis- 
nco  you  propose  is  within  their  line.  We  cannot  therefore 
absolutely  promise  that  our  request  will  be  complied  with. 

nv  I.-  r  i "'  ''  '''Pu'* '°  ^""'  '''^'''''  '"^  ^'''y  '-^'1  differences, 

no  heartily  comply  with  it,  and  thank  you  for  the  wisdom  you 

>  ^   ed  m  here  mterforing.     It  was  the  custom  of  our  ancestors 

"t  r^  h       T       '  T.   '''  ^'''^  ''^''y  ^'""8'  disagreeable 
'i'at  may  have  happened  hidierto ;  and  in  future  wc  shaii  be 


'i. 


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LIFK    OF    BRANT. 


[1802, 


upon  our  cruard  ajrainst  tales,  and  also  saying  any  thing  thought- 
lessly  ourselves  ;  we  only  regret  that  the  warriors  are  not  litre 
present,  to  concur  with  us  in  re-establishing  unity  and  amity." 

Strings. 
If  the  proceedings  of  this  iemale  council  appear  rather  tcio 
episodical  for  direct  historical  narrative,  they  are  neveriheloss 
Illustrations  of  Indian  manners  and  character.  It  is,  moreover, 
a  satisfaction  thus  to  secure  from  oblivion,  and.preserve,  a  docu 
ment  bearing  beautiful  testimony,  that  nven  in  a  barbarous  siatc 
of  society,  women  are  still  found  foremost  in  the  conservation  ot 
virtue,  and  as  persevering  peace-makers  in  the  midst  of  anarchy 
and  strife.  And  besides,  the  females  of  no  other  race  have  had 
so  little  justice  done  to  their  character  as  those  of  tii-^  ximencmi 
Indian  While  the  women  of  every  other  people  have  bcti; 
apotheosized,  even  down  to  the  ebon  daughter  of  Africa  wl.o 
moistened  the  parched  lips  of  Mungo  Park;  who  has  ever  ren- 
dered the  just  meed  of  homage  to  the  patient,  unostentatious 
virtues,  and  the  noble  qualities,  of  tiie  tawny  daughters  of  the 
American  forest,  save  in  the  case  of  Pocahontas? 

The  reader  has  already  seen  that  the  religious  tenets  of  Cap 
tain  Brant  were  Episcopalian.     It  came  not  vithin  the  requisi 
tions  of  his  creed,  therefore^,  even  had  policy  been  out  of  iho 
question,  to  discountenance  the  games  and  amusements  of  his 
people.     On  the  contrary,  he  loved  to  encourage  their  pastimes 
and  diveriisements,  and  bv  so  doing,  gave  evidence  of  his  wis- 
dom.   Indeed,  it  may  well  be  doubted  whether,  in  this  respect, 
the  ancients,  and  all  uncivilized  nations,  have  not  been  wiser 
in  their  o-enerations  than  tlie  modern  Anglo-Saxons  and  their 
American  children.     Relaxation  of  mind  and  body  is  neces- 
sary  alike  to  the  health  and  elasticity  of  both.     When  the  Puri- 
tans of  New  England  banished  the  merry  Christmas  festival  or 
Old  En^rland,  thov  s«xin  saw  th.'  necessity  of  creating  a  substi- 
tute, which  wa«  found  in  the  feast  of  Thanksgiving.    Still,  th 
people  of  the  United  States  have  ever  been  so  thoroughly  luil- 
itarian  in  the  use  of  their  hours,  as  really  to  deny  themselves 
tmo  for  a  suitable  indulgence  in  rational  amusements.    Thus 
the  harvest-home  is  forgotten  ;  the  rustic  gambols  of  Cnnstnins 
are  almost  unknown  ;  no  joyous  groups  dance  around  the  May- 
pole, or  twine  the  garland  for  the  l)ro w  of  its  queen .     The  Anie- 
rirans  have   no  seasons   for  reinvigorating  their  systems  by 


1S02.J 


INDIAN   AMUSEMENTS. 


445 


wholesome  athlet.c  exercises,  or  dispnlli„.  caro  by  rural  «norl« 
ajnon,.  lowers,  and  proves,  and  fountains!  The  native  1 
of  the  Indians  are  less  refined  and  poetical  than  were  the  p, 
nmes  and  festivals  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans  ;  but  they  do  I- 
ss  eontnbu  e  as  mueh  to  the  enjoyn.ent  of  tl.e  peopll,  wl  lo 
they  are  no  less  rational,  and  are  marked  by  a  high  de^oe  ^f 
moral  purity.  '         =*       "^o"'"  ui 

The  neglect  of  athletic  exercises,  and  games,  by  the  white 
people,  moreover,  works  positive  injury.     Contract  the  talj,  erect 
posture  the  elastic  tread  of  the  Indian,  with  the  ploddinJ  puce 
and  inclmmg  gait  of  the  white  man  !     Is  it  not  obvious  timt  th« 
Merence  is  attributable  to  the  difference  of  physical  trainin-' ? 
The  white  laborer  IS  generally  worked  too  hard  when  yo.un/ 
His  labors,  whether  in  the  field  or  the  work-shop,  are  iLtrj^ 
by  such  as  to  draw  the  body  forward,  wliile  there  is  no  exern'^ 
allowed  the  antagonistic  muscles-those  which  sustain  the  bod. 
in  an  upright  position.     The  consequence  is,  that  wliile  the  hi 
<han  indulges  in  those  sports  which  expand  the  chest,  and  thro^r 
bacthe  shoulders,  and  impart  agility  and  grace  to  the  movo. 
inenfs  of  the  limbs,  the  white  man,  instead  of  lookin<r  upward 
to  the  heavens,  is  bowed  down  to  the  posture  of  the  brute  crca 
t;on.  "■ 

Among  other  amusemepJs,  in  addition  to  their  own  nativa 
sports  of  running,  wrestling,  and  leaping '-their  dances  and 
songs-their  sacrifices,  and  other  festivals  of  war  and  of  thanks. 
pving-ine  Six  Nations  had  adopted  from  the  whiles  the  popu 
lar  game  of  ball,  or  cricket.  Indeed,  so  much  attached  wero 
they  to  this  manly  exercise,  that  the  game  had  become  national 
throughout  the  Confederacy;  and  it  was  no  uncommon  thin. 
for  one  nation  to  challenge  another  to  play  a  match-upon  a 
much  larger  scale,  beyond  doubt,  than  was  ever  practised  ainouff 
tt:e  pale-faces.  * 

A  game  of  this  kind  was  commenced  on  one  occ.-ision,  in  th« 
year  1794,  between  the  young  Mohawks  and  Senecns,  which 
was  well  Righ  attended  with  fatal  conseouences.  The  Mo- 
hawKs  were  the  challengt,rs.    After  the  game  had  prc^ceeded 

•  Mary  Jrrnison  ntate.,  that  these  athletic  game,  and  exei^is.s  were  p««ti.ed 
no  o„ly  that  the.r  W,,,.  .nignt  bcoo-ne  n..,e  .npple,  or  rather  that  ,hey  ,,.,.,,t  noJ 
be,  on,,  enervated  h.,i  that  they  mi.h.  bn  enabled  to  amka  proper  selection  of  chl  , 
for  the  councils  of  thf  ^ation  and  leaders  for  war. 


I 


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44G 


LIFE   OP    URANT. 


[1802. 


for  a  considemhlo  time,  one  of  the  Mohawks,  in  a  sti-ii:,'g1o  witli 
a  Seneca  for  a  stroke  at  the  ball,  struck  liis  aiitajroiiist  a  sharp, 
blow  with  his  bat,  Tlic  occurrence  having  been  observed  by 
the  pbnyers,  the  Seuecas  dropped  their  bats  instantly,  to  a  ina.i, 
and  retired  to  tlieir  posts  witli  silent,  though  evident  resentment. 
Without  speaking  a  word,  but  with  bosc  -s  iieaving  with  indig- 
nation, they  took  up  die  stakes  tliey  had  deposited,  and  retired 
to  their  own  country,  on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Genesee,  to- 
ward 1,1)0  northern  spur  of  the  Alleghanics.  Abom  three  weeks 
subsequent  to  the  occurrence,  a  Seneca  messenger  arrived  at  the 
Mohawk  village,  dispatched  thither  by  Red  Jacket,  the  Corn- 
planter,  and  others,  complaining  of  the  insult,  demanding  satis, 
faction  for  the  allVont,  and  denouncing  war  in  case  of  refusal. 
The  Mohawks,  feeling  that  they  were  in  the  wrong,  were  some- 
what troubled  at  the  message.  Brant  convened  a  council  of 
his  chiefs,and  after  consultation,  a  message  was  returned  to  iIk; 
Scnecas,  proposing  an  amicabb;  meeting  of  the  chiefs  of  both 
nations,  to  confer  upon  the  subject  matter  of  comphiint,  with 
a  view  of  healing  the  wnimid  by  compromise  and  explanation, 
and  of  course  without  bloodslied.  The  Senecas,  anxious  to 
avoid  hostilities  against  a  nation  with  wliich  they  had  been  in  al- 
liance so  long,  acceded  to  the  paruic  proposition,  and  a  joint 
council  was  the  consetiuence.  Red  Jacket,  however,  did  .il"  he 
could  to  prevent  a  reconciliation.  He  delivered  an  inflamniii- 
tory  speech,  laboring  with  all  his  art  and  eloquence  to  aggravatii 
the  msult,  and  urging  his  nation  to  avenge  the  insult  by  an  ap- 
peal to  arms.  But  (^apttiin  O'Bail,  and  some  others  of  the  older 
Seneca  chiefs,  were  for  the  adoption  of  a  more  conciliatoiy 
course.  They  were  little  moved  by  the  exciting  philipj)ic  of  IVA 
Jacket,  and  desired  nothing  more  of  the  Mohawks  than  a  rcii- 
sonable  and  honorable  atonement  for  the  wrong  done  to  llitir 
young  warrior  by  the  pariy  offendiug.  The  proposition  was 
met  with  ociual  magnanimity  on  the  part  of  the  Mohawks,  and 
tlie  result  of  the  council  was  an  adjustment  of  the  ditiicnlty. 
The  calumet  was  smoked,  and  the  .  'liefs— all  save  the  disnp- 
pointed  demagogue.  Red  Jacket— separated  upon  the  most  ami- 
cable terms.* 

Three  years  afterward,  in  the  SumiiuT  of  1797,  another  match 

•  Notes  of  a  v;>ttto  CnpLiin  ">-tiit,  <nnl  "1  convns;aiw,s  willi  liim.  hv  Samuel 
'Vnodruff,  Esq.  of  \V  nxivnr,  Cotv 


I 


1«02.] 


INDIAN    AMU3EMKNTS. 


447 


of  cricket  was  played  between  the  two  nations.  The  Scnecu 
were  tins  time  the  challengers,  but  the  game  was  played  at  the 
Mohawk  village,  on  the  Grand  River,  and  was  commenced  dur. 
mg  the  visit  of  the  gentleman  to  whom  Captain  Brant  had  re- 
lated  the  particulars  of  the  (bregoing  unpleasant  occurrence.  It 
was,  in  (act,  the  conversation  naturally  flowing  from  the  pcndin^' 
match  that  led  the  Chief  to  speak  of  the  incidents  counected 
with  the  former.  The  playing  was  to  commence  at  9  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  the  invitation  of  Captain  Brant  to  see  the 
amusement,  was  accepted  by  his  guest. 

The  place  selected  Ibr  the  triul^'of  strenirih,  agility,  and  skill, 
was  a  broad  and  beautiful  green,  of  perhaps  one  huiidred  acres, 
perfectly  level,  and  smooth  as  a  carpet,  without  free  or  shrub,  or 
stone  to  encumber  it.     On  one  side  of  the  green  the  Senecas 
had  collected  in  a  sort  of  irregular  encampment-men,  women 
and  children-to  the  number  of  more  than  a  thousand.     On  the 
otiier  side  the  Mohawks  were  actively  assembling  in  yet  crreater 
numbers.     The  stakes  deposited  by  each  party  were  laid'  upon 
the  ground  in  heaps,  consisting  of  rifles,  hatchets,  swords,  belts 
knives,  blankets,  wampum,  watches,  beads,  broaches,  furs,  and 
a  variety  of  other  articles  of  Indian  utility  and  taste-amount- 
ing, m  the  whole,  according  to  the  estimate  of  Captain  Brant  to 
upward  of  a  thousand  dollars  a  side.     By  the  side  of  the  stakes 
were  se:;ted  a  group  of  the  aged  Chiefs-"  grave  and  reverend 
seignors,"  whose  beards  had  been  silvered  by-the  frosts  of  many 
winters,  and  whose  visages  gave  evidence  of  the  toils  of  war  and 
tlie  chase. 

The  combatants  numbered  about  six  hundred  unon  a  side 
young  and  middle-aged  men-nimble  of  foot,  athletic  and  mus- 
cular.    Their  countenances  beamed  with  animation  and  hiah 
hope.     In  order  to  the  free  and  unfettered  use  of  their  sinewy 
limbs,  their  persons  were  nalced  with  the  exception  of  a  suio-le  ' 
ffurmenthke  an  apron,  or  kilt,  fastened  around  the  waist,  and 
descending  nearly  to  the  knee.     The  area  of  the  play-<rrcund 
was  designated  by  two  pair  of  "byes,"  placed  at  about  thirty 
rods  distant  from  each  other,  and  the  goals  of  each  pair  about 
hirty  feet  apart.     The  combatants  ranged  them^olvt.    a  paral- 
lel hncs  on  each  side  of  the  area,  facing  inward,  an)  .eavino-  a 
space  between  them  of  about  ten  rods  in  breadth.      -heir  bats 
were  three  feet  six  inches  in  length,  curved  at  the  low^r  end 


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448 


LIKK   OF    nUANT. 


[1802, 


Bomr-wlint  in  tlio  form  of  a  ladlo,  the  broiid  prt  for  striking  tlin 
ball  iMiing  formed  of  net-work,  woven  of  tiiongs  of  untunni  d 
d(!t'r-Nkin,  strained  to  the  tension  of  tight  elasticity.  Tlie  hull, 
largo  ns  a  middhng-sized  apple,  was  also  composed  of  elaylic 
materials. 

On  one  side  of  the  area,  near  the  centre  of  the  line,  and  in  a 
coriNpicuous  place,  were  seated  a  body  of  elderly  sachems,  of 
mch  nation,  with  knives  and  tally-sticks,  to  score  the  game. 
'rh(!  niles  governing  the  game  were  somewhat  intricate.  None 
of  the  players  were  allowed  to  touch  the  ball  with  hand  or  foot, 
ntitil  driven  beycnd  the  "byes"  or  land-marks.  It  was  thou 
thrown  back  by  hand  toward  or  into  the  centre  of  the  area, 
when  the  game  proceeded  as  before.  Their  mode  of  counting 
the  game  was  peculiar,  the  tallies-men  not  btaig  in  all  cases 
bound  f)y  arbitrary  rules,  but  left  to  the  exercise  of  a  certain  ^de- 
^reo  of  disTftionary  power.  Each  passage  of  the  ball  between 
tho  goal's  at  t5'.e  end  of  the  play-ground,  counted  one,  so  huv 
as  the  '-ot^  St  was  nearly  equal ;  but,  for  the  purpose  of  protract- 
ing \'<^<  ifftme,  whenever  one  party  became  considerably  in  ad- 
vance 01  Hi«  other,  the  tally-chiefs  were  allowed  to  check  or 
curtail  their  count  in  proportion  to  the  excess.  For  instance,  if 
the  leading  party  had  run  up  a  regular  count  to  thirty,  while 
their  opponents  liad  numbered  b';c  liileen,  the  tallies-men,  at 
their  discretion,  and  by  consent  of  each  other,  though  unknown 
to  the  players,  would  credit  the  winning  party  with  only  two 
notches  for  three  passages  of  the  ball — varying  from  time  to  time,' 
according  to  the  state  of  the  game.  The  object  of  this  course 
wm  to  protract  the  game,  and  to  increase  the  amusement,  while 
doHpondency  upon  either  side  was  prevented,  and  the  chance 
of  ultimate  victory  increased.  Frequently,  by  this  discretionary 
mode  of  counting,  the  game  was  continued  three  or  four  days. 

The  game  on  this  occasion  was  commenced  by  about  sixty 
players  on  a  side,  who  advanced  from  their  respective  lines  with 
iuits  in  their  hands,  into  the  centre  of  the  play-ground.  Of  this 
minibcr  about  twenty  were  stationed  at  the  end  land-marks,  to 
guard  the  passage  of  the  ball.  The  players  who  were  to  begin, 
were  apparently  mingled  promiscuously  together.  All  things 
being  thus  ready,  a  beautiful  maiden,  richly  dressed  in  the  na- 
tive costume  of  her  people,  wejiring  a  red  tiara  plumed  witli 
eagles'  feathers,  and  glittering  with  bracelets  and  other  orna- 


1802.J 


INDIAN    FUNERALS. 


44tf 


montsofs,  ver,  came  bounding  like  a  gazelle  into  the  area,  with 
tiie  ball,  wluch  she  placed  upon  the  ground  ni  the  centre  In- 
stuntljr  the  welkui  rang  with  the  shouts  of  the  whole  multitude 
of  spectators,  and  the  play  began  ;  while  the  bright-eyed  maide.i 
danced  back,  and  joined  her  own  circle  among  ihe  surron-uiincr 
tlirong.  The  match  was  beg.ui  by  two  of  the  opposin<^  .^rs" 
who  advanced  to  the  ball,  and  with  their  united  bats',  ,.od  ij 
from  the  ground  to  such  an  elevation  as  gave  a  chance  for  a  fair 
stroke;  when,  quick  as  lightning,  it  was  sped  through  the  air 
nhnost  with  the  swiftness  of  a  bullet.  Much  depends  upon  the 
first  stroke,  and  great  skill  is  exerted  to  obtain  it. 

The  match  was  played  with  great  spirit,  and  the  display  of 
agihty  and  muscular  strength  was  surprising.     Every  nerve- 
was  strung;  and  so  great  were  the  exertions  of  the  players  that 
each  set  was  relieved   by  fresh  hands  every  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes;   thus  alternating,  and  allowing  every  player  of  the 
whole  number  to  perform  his  part,  until  the  game  was  finished 
The  scene  was  full  of  excitement  and  animation.     The  princi- 
pal Chief  entered  fully  into  the  enjoyment,  and  bv  his  explana- 
tions to  his  guest  heightened  its  interest,  which  of'itself,  the  lat- 
ter declared  to  have  afforded  him  a  greater  degree  of  satisfaction 
than  any  game  or  pastime  that  he  had  ever  beheld.     The  con- 
tost  was  continued  three  days,  at  the  end  of  which,  after  a  severe 
struggle,  the  Senecas  were  proclaimed  the  victors,  sweepino-  the 
stakes,  to  the  great  mortification  of  the  proud-spirited  Mohawlcs— 
the  head  of  the  Confederacy. 

Mr.  Woodruff,  from  whose  notes  the  preceding  description 
has  been  derived,  was  highly  gratified  with  his  visit" to  the  Chief, 
with  whom  he  passed  s  reral  days.  In  his  person  he  said  he 
was  graceful  and  dignified—easy  and  afTable  in  conversation. 
His  stature  was  five  feet  eleven  inches— of  the  finest  form  and 
proportions— robust  and  firm,  and  possessing  great  muscular 
power.  His  countenance  was  open,  placid,  and  inviting— his 
eyes  brilliant  and  expressive— in  short,  every  thing  in  relation  to 
his  person  was  engaging  and  prepossessing. 

No  people  are  more  particular  in  paying  honors  to  the  dead 

tliau  the  Indians,  and  their  funerals  are  marked  with  deep  and 

alfecting  solemnity.     As  among  civilized  nations,  die  pomp  and 

.  pageantry  of  woe  vary  according  to  the  rank  of  the  deceased 

und  the  wealth  of  the  family,  or  the  ability  and  disposition  of 


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friends  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  funeral,  tlie  entertaiimient 
at  tlie  grave,  and  the  presents  to  be  distributed.  But,  however 
humble  the  deceased,  the  remains  are  never  unlionored  or 
unwept ;  and  among  no  people  on  earth  are  stronger  evidence's 
given  of  tender  affection.  Nor  are  funeral  honors  bestowed 
only  upon  the  men.  There  is  a  mistaken  idea  generally  preva- 
lent, that  the  Indian  woman  is  treated  with  contempt,  arising 
from  the  well-known  fact,  that  certain  offices  and  labors,  account- 
ed as  menial  among  the  wliites,  or  as  improper  to  be  imposed 
upon  women,  are  always  performed  by  them  among  vhe  Indians. 
Hut  the  allotment  of  those  duties  to  the  women  has  arisen  from 
their  usages,  and  the  peculiar  structure  of  their  society,  tinio 
immemorial.  Nor  is  the  custom  any  evidence  of  disrespect  or 
continiiely.  On  the  contrary,  it  may  be  doubted  whether  the  li;- 
males  of  the  Avhite  people,  even  among  nations  of  the  most  retin- 
ment,  exercise  a  higher  or  more  salutn,ry  degree  of  influeni  f,tlum 
do  the  Indian  women.  Nor,  when  dead,  are  they  treated  with  less 
respect  than  the  warriors.  ','  The  greatest  iionors  are  paid  to  the 
"remains  of  the  wives  of  renowned  warriors  and  veteran  chiefs, 
'  particularly  if  they  were  descended  themselves  of  a  liigh 
"  family,  which  is  by  no  means  an  indifferent  thing  among  tlio 
"  Indians,  who  love  to  honor  the  merit  of  their  great  men  in  the 
"  per-sons  of  their  relatives."*  The  funerals  of  chiefs  and  war- 
riors, and  of  distinguished  women,  were  attended  by  the  heads  ot 
the  tribe,  and  all  the  people,  and  their  ceremonies  were  highly 
impressive.  On  the  opening  of  all  their  councils,  a  ceremony 
of  condolence  was  pcformed,  and  an  appropriate  speech  de- 
livered, in  memory  of  those  who  had  died,  or  been  slain  on 
the  war-path,  since  their  last  meeting.  These  ceremonies  were 
solemn,  and  their  speeciies  often  full  of  simplicity,  tenderness, 
and  pathos.  Among  the  papers  of  Sir  William  Johnson  is  a 
manuscript  of  a  speech  of  condolence,  delivered  at  the  open 
ing  of  a  council  in  1761,  by  Seneca  George,  a  few  passages  ot 
which  may  be  cited  as  an  example  : — 

':  r.iioTHKHS  :  We  suppose  that  m  the  late  troubles  you  may 
have  lost  many  of  your  people,  either  by  sickness  or  war,  since 
we  were  last  together ;  by  this  string,  therefore,  we  wipe  away 
the  tears  from  your  eyes,  clear  your  throats,  wash  away  the 

*  Hcckcwnlder. 


1803.] 


INDIAN   FTINEUALS. 


451 


hlooi  from  your  bodies,  SNvcep  the  council  chamber,  and  tlirow 
the  dirt  out  of  doors,  that  you  may  sec  and  speak  to  ns  clearly 
at  the  present  confereuco.  r  |  l^tnii"- 

"llaoTHKus:  Wo  are  sorry,  from  the  bottom  of  our  hcSts 
or  tlie  d.?ath  of  your  men,  women,  and  children,  and  bv  this 
l«^!t  we  collect  all  their  lx>nes  together,  bury  them  in  one  c;rave 
and  cover  them  up,  t«   '**'> 

[^I  black  belt,  eight  rows,  streaked  with  white 
Bkothkks:  We  are  at  great  loss,  and  sit  in  darkness  as 
well  as  you,  by  the  death  of  Conrad  Weiser,*  as,  since  his  death 
wecaiuiotso  wdl  miderstand  one  another.     %  this  belt  we 
cover  ills  body  with  bark. 

[A  white  belt  of  seven  roivs,  with  four  black  streaks. 
«  Bkothers  :  By  tiie  last  belt,  I  mentioned  to  you  that  we 
hotli  sat  m  darkness.  Now,  by  this  belt  I  remove  the  clouds 
from  before  the  sun,  that  we  may  see  it  rise  and  set,  and  that 
your  hearts  may  be  eased  from  sorrow  on  ar-count  of  what  I 
mentioned  before  [Delivered  a  white  belt  of  fve  rows,  with 
three  black  bars]  We  pray  the  Great  God  above,  who  can  en- 
lighten our  Jiearts,  that  we  may  live  in  love  and  peace  until 
uwUli," 

From  the  manuscripts  of  Captain  Brant,  it  seems  frequently 
to  h.ve  been  his  duty  to  perform  the  ceremony  of  condolence 
and  he  sometimes  speaks  of  making  a  journey  to  a  considerable 
distance  for  that  sole  purpose.  Only  one  of  his  speeches,  how- 
ever, on  such  an  occasion,  remains  among  his  papers.  '  That 
was  delivered  in  the  name  of  the  Five  Nations,  on  the  24th  of 
February,  1801,  at  Fort  George,  (Niagara,)  on  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Cluus,t  the  mother  of  the  Deputy  Superintendent  :— 

SpfiECH  OP  Condolence  to  Captain  Ci.aus. 
^  "  Brother  :  We  are  here  now  met  in  the  presence  of  the 
Spirit  above,  with  intent  to  keep  up  the  ancient  custom  of  con- 
dolomcnt.    W^e  therefore  condole  with  you  for  your  late  loss  of 
our  well-beloved  sister,  whom  now  you  have  interred. 

"  BiioTHER :  We  hope  that  this  may  not  damp  your  heart  so 
much  its  to  make  you  forget  us,  who  are  your  brothers— not 
only  ourselves,  but  our  wives  and  children. 

•  f.'ilclirateil  in  tiio  Indian  Annal^  for  many  year?,  ns  an  intcrprp'-Bj 
I  DuughU'l  offc^if  Wiltiuni  Juhii^'un. 


M*     «!   'I" 


*^%  ■ 


fti 


:.f 


"-  k. 


*    ■'■» 


*  . 


-■*  X 


I  p 


•I 


I  •Id 


•*«» 

R*** 


•  •k    'W 


i 


^^p'--l 

*^lii 

^^^^^^^^^^B  . 

'     '  ^'  ^^KjM'I 

^'^Hh 

^^^H^"'^ 

'i'  ilS^H 

^^^^^^^x 

■  ' 

^^^^^(^ 

^^^^^B^t'iHt 

^^^^^^^^^ 

IE 

^^^^^^^^B 

-■1 

^^^^^^r*^nM 

■•^■'    i 

^^^^B*'*'';<> 

'■"  ■    jl 

^^^^^^^■f  '^ 

■iM,'!^'*'^p| 

■mhhk;-^  «'. 

»r,  ~wSB3B 

mm'-i 

'*$  mBm 

^^mii 

^.WjKk 

452 


LIFE   OP   BKANT. 


[1802 

"  Brother  :  We  say  now  again,  that  by  our  late  loss,  it 
seems  our  fire  is  somewhat  extinguished.  But  we  have  now 
found  a  few  brands  remaining,  and  have  collected  them  together, 
and  have  raised  a  straight  smoke  to  the  clouds. 

«  Brother  :  "We  therefore  with  this  string  of  wampum  Avipe 
away  the  tears  from  your  eyes,  and  would  take  away  all  sor- 
row from  your  heart.  But  that  is  impossible :  still,  it  is  the 
customary  way  of  making  the  speech.  We  therefore  mention 
it :  and  with  the  said  wampum  we  wipe  away  all  stains  ot 
whatever  should  remain  on  your  seat,  so  that  you  may  sit  down 
in  comfort. 

"  Brother  :  We  say  again  with  this  string  of  wampum,  as 
you  seem  to  be  all  in  darkness,  we  with  the  same  string  en- 
lighten the  skies  above  us,  so  that  it  may  appear  to  us  all  as  it 
formerly  used  to  do. 

"  Brother  :  We  say  again  with  this  string  of  wampum,  as 
we  have  now  made  our  speech  of  condolement,  we  hope  to  raise 
you  upon  your  feet,  as  you  formerly  used  to  be ;  for  since  our 
late  loss,  it  seems  you  have  been  confined  as  one  absent.* 

"  Brother  :  We  hope  you  will  not  forget  our  calamities- 
hoping  that  this  shock  may  not  put  us  out  of  your  memory  en- 
tirely— and  also  that  you  may  continue  to  help  us,  u  for 

merly  used  to  do. 

«  Brother  :  This  last  string  which  now  J  give  you,  is  given 
by  the  whole  Six  Nations,  so  as  to  strengthen  your  mind  and 
body— that  you  may  not  be  too  much  cast  down  by  the  occa- 
sion of  our  late  loss." 

An  address  was  lilcewise  transmitted  to  the  council  from  the 
wome/i,  which  was  delivered  by  a  sachem  called  Old  Thomas ; 
but  a  copy  has  not  been  preserved.  Only  the  last  half  sheet  of 
Captain  Claus's  reply  is  now  to  be  found.    The  conckision 

was  this:— 

.    «#        •        •        •        *    She  was  good,  and  was  a  Iricnu 

to  you  all,  as  far  as  she  had  it  in  her  power,  by  speaking  iti 
your  favor  always.  But  was  I  to  continue,  I  should  again  bring 
to  my  memory  her  great  love  for  me,  and  fill  my  eyes  and  heart 
acrain,  so  that  I  could  not  attend  to  your  affairs.    Accept  my 

♦  Captain  Claus  had  been  f.o  much  affectod  by  the  death  of  his  mother,  as  to  be 
confined  to  his  roon. ;  and  although  I.e  met  the  Chiefs  in  council  on  thie  occasion, 
he  was  unable  to  reply-but  sent  his  .peech  afterward  m  writing.  ^ 


■".tj 


1802.J 


VISITS   THE   UNITED   STATES. 


453 

grateful  thanks  for  your  condolence,  and  allow  me  to  look  upon 
you  as  my  fl-iends-wishing  you,  and  all  belonging  to  you. 
healtli  and  all  happiness. 

"Brothers,  I  now  address  myself  again  to  you.  As  the 
business  is  now  over,  and  you  will  be  turning  your  faces  toward 
nome,  I  pray  to  the  Great  Spirit  that  he  will  make  your  road 
smooth,  and  leave  no  obstacle  m  the  way,  that  will  either  hurt 
or  stop  you  ;  but  that  you  may  get  safe  home,  and  meet  your 
friends  all  well ;  whom  I  beg  you  will  salute  for  me.  I  shaU 
always  be  happy  to  be  numbered  among  your  friends.'' 

In  private  life,  the  character  of  Brant  was  estimable,  and  in 
the  social  circle  often  very  agreeable.     The  testimony  of  the 
Baroness  De  Reidesel,  who  met  him  at  the  castle  at  Quebec,  has 
already  been  cited  in  a  former  chapter.     During  the  portion  of 
his  life  now  under  review,  being  the  last  twelve  years,  he  had 
many  journies  to  perform,— to  the  lower  province  to  look  after 
the  interests  of  his  own  immediate  people  ;  to  the  upper  lakes 
to  keep  the  chain  of  friendship  with  his  old  confederates  from 
becoming  rusty;  and  to  Canandaig.a,  and  elsewhere,  to  visit 
his  friends,  and  upon  matters  of  business.     In  addition  to  all 
these,  early  in  the  year  1797  he  made  another  visit  to  Albany 
and  Philadelphia,  striking  from  New- York  into  New  Eno'and 
on  his  return.*    Judging  from  the  tone  of  a  letter  which  he 
wrote  after  his  arrival  home,  to  a  friend  among  the  upper  In- 
dian  nations,  he  must  have  encountered  some  unpleasant  cir- 
cumstances during  that  journey.     It  was  not,  however,  entirely, 
divested  of  agreeable  associations;  and  several  incidents  have' 
been  collected  by  the  author,  which  will  serve  as  better  illustra- 
tions of  his  social  character  than  any  other  in  the  entire  history  of 
his  career.    An  extract  from  the  letter  just  referred  to  follows  :— 

"  Grand  River,  July  2,  1797. 
"Dear  Sir, 

"  It  is  some  time  since  I  received  your  letter,  and  I  have  alrea- 
dy  answered  it  by  way  of  Fort  Erie  ;  but  I  did  not  in  it  men- 
tion  the  particulars  of  my  jaunt  to  the  States.     In  the  first  place, 

♦  His  quarters  in  the  city  of  Now- York,  during  that  vieit,  were  at  Batten's  Ho- 
H  tl^e  old  bnck  edifice  yet  standing  on  the  south  corner  of  Nassau  and  John  streets. 
The  Hon.  Jeromus  Johnson,  of  New- York,  has  f.irnished  the  author  with  an  ao- 
count  of  tt  visit  made  by  him  to  the  Cliief  in  tliat  hotel,  in  company  with  Dr.  Dindev 
and  the  celebrated  Dr.  Priestley,     See  Appendi.x,  Na  XVI. 


i'!      '   t 


■■*f>-r 


>* 


■  i    \  '■  i 

'i'  4 


,    w 


[.    4 

i# 

i 

1 

r 

1 

m 


'•'•II  "ft 


•■'I.M1  ''' 


454 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1802. 


I  met  u  I  ill  n   very  cool  reception,  insomuch  that  I  did  not  see 
any  of  the  great  men  at  Philadelphia.     I  suppose,  by  thi;^,  that 

.  tliey  must  have  forgot  that  I  was  a  Yankee  when  I  was  there 
before,  and  also  at  the  last  meeting  we  had  at  the  foot  of  tlio 
Rapids,  when  it  was  reported  among  you,  gentlemen  of  the  In- 
dian department,  that  I  was  favoring  the  Yankee  interest.  I 
expected  they  might  have  paid  a  little  more  attention  to  me, 
after  the  great  service  you  supposed  I  had  done  them.  I  was 
greatly  insulted  on  the  road  between  Philadelphia  and  Jersey,  by 
a  Yankee  colonel  whose  name  I  don't  recollect,  insomuch  tbat 
the  affair  was  nearly  coming  to  blows.  At  New- York  they 
were  very  friendly,  and  likewise  in  Connecticut,  (in  New  Eng- 
land,) they  were  very  civil.  At  Albany  there  were  several  peo- 
ple who  threatened  to  kill  me  behind  my  back ;  so  that  the 
great  men  there  thought  it  necessary  to  send  a  man  with  me,  as 
a  protector,  to  the  end  of  the  settlement  at  German  Fhitts.  I 
suppose  these  people  have  also  forgot  that  I  was  a  Yankee." 

By  the  term  "  great  men  at  Plhladelphia,"  the  old  Chief  must 
have  meant  the  lieads  of  the  administration,  since  he  was  most 
hospitably  entertained  by  some  distinguished  gentlemen  then  at 
the  seat  of  government.  The  attentions  which  he  received  from 
"  the  great  men  at  Philadelphia,"  five  years  before,  were  bestow- 
ed under  peculiar  circumstances.  He  w.is  there  at  that  time  in 
a  semi-official  capacity,  and  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  the 
government  itself;  and  it  was  the  duty  of  the  government  to 

•  render  all  those  ,civilities  which  might  contribute  to  the  pleasure 
of  his  visit.  The  government,  moreover,  were  hoping  that  im- 
portant results  might  flow  from  that  visit,  and  very  marked  at- 
tentions were  the  natural  consequence.  It  is,  indeed,  too  much 
the  way  of  the  world — especially  of  courts,  whether  republican 
or  monarchical — to  caress  andilatter  where  they  have  a  purpose 
to  serve,  as  in  turn  the  great  are  caressed  and  flattered  by  those 
liangiiig  upon  their  favors.  But,  under  the  circumstances  oi 
this  second  visit  of  the  Mohawk,  divested,  as  it  was,  altogether 
of  official  character  and  importance,  his  expectations  of  particu- 
lar oflicial  attentions  were  probably  unreasonable.  FTe  had  seen 
far  too  much  of  the  world,  and  had  mingled  too  much  in  sociely 
of  all  rinks  and  conditions,  yet  to  retain  the  simplicity  of  unso- 
pliisticated  nature,  and  he  might  therefore  have  understood  his 
njieied  position,  and  sp-aied  hii;  sarcasm.     Certainly,  though  he 


,.i:!  ' 


IS02.] 


DINNER    WITH    COf.ONEr,    BURR. 


455 


might  not  hrcvc  breathod  the  air  of  the  court,  or  been  shouldered 
hy  the  factious  haudyings  of  its  favorites,  he  was  treated  with 
marked  attention  by  gentlemen  at  that  time  of  high  distinction 
and  his  society  much  courted.     Among  others,  the  late  Colone' 
IJurr,  thcii  a  Senator  in  Congress,  gave  him  a  brilliant  dinner 

^'''l^;,   T  !'•  f"""!"'  ^''""^  previously  been  in  correspondence 
wi  h  the  Chief,  and  liked  him  much.     Indeed,  it  was  upon  the 
Colonels  invitation  that  he  visited   Philadelphia  at  that  time 
Among  the  guests  from  abroad  assembled  on  that  occasion  were 
tiio  minister  of  the  French  Republic  ;  Volmy  the  trrveller  •  T-d 
loyrand,   and  other  distinguished    gentlemen   of  that  nation 
brought  hither  by  the  political  troubles  of  their  own  countrv' 
Knowing  his  colloquial  powers  to  be  very  good,  and  that  he  had 
the  faculty  of  rendering  himself  not  only  agreeable  but  fasrinat- 
mg  in  conversation,  the  Colonel  and  his  friends  were  somewhat 
disappointed,  in  the  earlier  stages  of  the  entertainment,  at  the 
Chieftain's  t.^Mturnity.     All  the  cold  reserve  of  hi.  race  seemed 
to  have  come  over  him,  and  for  a  while  every  effort  to  draw  him 
out  in  discourse  was  incfTectual.     Meantime  the  Indians    their 
character,  history,  and  destiny,  became  the  leading  topics  of  con- 
versation.    At  length,  after  various  suggestions  had  been  made 
^  to  the  most  feasible  and  effectual  methodsof  their  civilization' 
Riant  suddenly  joined  in  the  discussion;  treating  the  subiect 
with  good  sense,  but  with  alternate  gravity  and  humor     He 
avowed  It  as  his  settled  conviction,  however,  that  the  only  effect 
ua  process  of  civilizing  his  people,  must  be  their  amalgamation 
with  the  blood  of  the  whites;  that  the  Indian  could  onlv  be 
turned  by  intermarriages.     Occasionally  during  his  own  par'tici 
pation  in  this  discussion,  there  was  a  drollery  in  his  manner 
that  created  great  amusement.     During  the  residue  of  the  even- 
ing he  contributed  his  full.share  to  the  conversation,  exhibiting 
at  all  times  sterling  good  sense,  and  enlivening  the  hours  with 
sallies  of  pleasantry  and  wit  which  "set  the  table  in  a  roar  " 
The  result  was  not  only  an  agreeable,  but  Iiighly  intellectual 
entertainment.* 

On  leaving  Philadelphia  for  New-York,  Colonel  Burr  gave 
the  Chief  the  following  letter  of  introduction  to  hi.  youthful 
and  girted  daughter  Theodosiat-afterward  Mrs.  Alston  •- 

JeuTr""'"""'"""  «»'^'"'--i'h  Co'«""lBurr,  notc.l  down  on  the  day  , 


wore  hflW. 


t  Miss  Burr  wad  then  in  h 


or  fourteenth 


'  thcj 


J'fa.- 


!■»■'' 


t     , 


**< 


i^ 


1 

i'   < 

IJ;  ,'; 

1 

■ ;        .,4  i 

ii*    m 

^■::;:> 

-■ 

^^^Hr>K>„«.«, 

iWk 

■■:: :  i 

'■m 

^^^Er.  i:  fm' 

46G 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1802 


Colonel  Burr  to  his  Daugiitkr. 

*'  Philadelphia,  Feb.  28,  1797. 
"  This  will  be  handed  to  yon  by  Colonel  Brant,  the  celchrattid 
Indian  Chief.  I  am  sure  that  you  and  Nataliet  will  be  happy 
in  the  opportunity  of  seeino^  a  man  so  much  renowned.  He  is 
a  man  of  education — epeaks  and  writes  the  English  perfectly — 
and  has  seen  much  of  Europe  and  America.  Receive  him  with 
respect  and  hospitality.  11-3  is  not  one  of  those  Indians  who 
drink  rum,  but  is  quite  a  gentleman  ;  not  one  who  will  make 
you  fine  bows,  but  oiia  who  understands  and  practices  what 
belongs  to  propriety  and  good  breeding.  He  has  daughters — it 
you  could  think  of  some  little  present  to  send  to  one  of  them — 
a  pair  of  ear-rings,  for  example, — it  would  please  him.  You 
may  talk  to  him  very  freely,  and  offer  to  introduce  him  to  youj 
friend  Mr.  Witbeck,  at  Albany.    Vale,  et  ama, 

«A.  B. 
"  Miss  Theodosia  Burr, 

"  No.  30  Partition-street,  New-  York." 

Miss  Theodosia  received  the  forest  Chief  with  all  the  courtesy 
and  hospitality  suggested  ;  and,  young  as  she  was,  she  perform- 
ed the  honors  of  her  father's  house  in  a  manner  that  must  have 
been  as  gratifying  to  her  absent  parent  as  it  was  creditable  to 
herself.  Among  other  attentions,  she  gav«'  him  a  dinner  party 
selecting  for  her  guests  some  of  the  most  eminent  gentlemen 
in  the  city,  among  whom  were  Bishop  Moore  and  Doctors  Bard 
and  Hosack.  In  writing  to  her  father  upon  the  subject,  she 
gave  a  long  and  sprightly  account  of  the  entertainment.  She 
said  that,  in  making  the  preliminar/  arrangements  she  had  been 
somewhat  at  a  loss  in  the  selection  of  such  dishes  as  would 
probably  suit  the  palate  of  her  principal  guest.  Being  a  savage 
warrior,  and  in  view  of  the  many  tales  she  had  heard,  of 

The  Cannibals  that  each  other  eat, 

The  anthropophagi,  and  men  whoso  heads 

Do  grow  beneath  their  shoulders — 

she  added,  sportively,  that  she  had  a  mind  to  lay  the  hospital 
under  contribution  for  a  human  head,  to  be  served  up  like  a 

f  Natali6  Delngid,  an  adopted  child  of  Colonel  Burr,  born  in  Franco,  and 
subsequently  married  to  a  son  of  General  Sumpter,  of  South  Carolina. 


1802.] 


CHARArTEK  AND  MANNERS. 


467 


boars  head  in  ancient  Imd  barl.r.r-c.     But,  after  all.  she  found 
hiiu  a  most  christian  and  civilized  gnest  in  iiis  manners  * 

It  has  been  seen  from  his  own  letter,  that  the  Chief  was  well 
pleased  dunn,:  us  visit  in  New-York.     He  had,  indeed,  reason 
to  he  .rat.hed,  for  he  was  treated  with  marked  kindness  and 
coiisideratian.     II.s  own  deportment  wa.,  moreover,  snch  as  U 
secure  the  respect  and  esteem  of  those  with  whom  he  came  hito 
assoc.at,on.     The  Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  who  became  acanain^w;^ 
hun  dunn-  that  visit,  in  a  letter  to  the  anthor  already  referred 
to  <n  a  note,  thus  speaks  of  him:-"  I  have  called  Joseph  Brant 
'a  remarkable  man.'     Ho  was,  in  my  opinion,  truly  so.     My 
persona    intercourse  with  him  was  not  considerable;  but  i^ 
^vas  qm  e  snincent  to  impress  me  with  most  respectful  senti- 
ments of  Ins  intellectual  character,  his  personal  dignity  Tnd 
h,s  capacity  to  appear  well  in  any  society.     I  met^vith  Inm 
repeatedly  ;-w.as  with  him  at  a  dining  party-and  listened 
"to  his  conversation  m  various  situations-some  of  them  rather 
•trying;  and  was  surprised  at  the  simple,  easy,  polished,  and 
even  court-like  manners  which  he  was  capable  of  assumino- 
tliough,  at  the  same  time,  I  was  assured  that  ho  was  capable 
'  ot  being  as  great  a  savage  as  any  individual  of  his  nation      I 
'•re,T.ember,  on  one  occasion,  that  when  some  very  impertinent 
and  unseasonable  questions  were  addressed  to  him  bv  a  o-en 
"  tlernan  who  ought  to  have  known  better,  he  evaded  them  with 
perfect  c.vihty,  and  at  the  same  time  with  an  adroitness  and 
address  which  showed  that  he  was  fitted  to  be  no  mean  diplo 
''  matist.-'  ^ 

Another  gentleman,  whose    opportunities   of  studyino-  the 

manners  and  character  of  Captain  Brant  were  extended'throu^h 

•several  years  of  occasional  intercourse  with  him,  remarks  •-«  i?is 

manners,  which  were  greatly  improved,  if  not  formed,  by  a  con- 

"  statu  intercourse,  not  only  with  the  best  society  in  the  pre 

♦  Conversations  of  the  anthor  with  Colonel  Burr  THp  Pn)„„»i 
.^t  .his  h„er  fron.  hi,  daughter  .honld  bo  found  ai^^;  hi  p^e«  "IrrDar 
limh,ogn>pher,  after  diligent  search,  has  not  discovered  it-  n„r  hi  h  k  ??  ' 
J^^H  the  ..orrcpondence  between  Brant  and  Colo^B  r  bV  plX^a'" 
^.m  Brant,  ,t  appears  that  Mi«8  Burr  visited  him  at  Grand  River  after  2  k  ^ 
Mr,.  Alston,  in  company  with  her  husband.  Seein..  that  when  hfp  '  r  ""T 
.  New.York  "she  was  veryyoun,,  and  hadsinZru^!  it.  /al'^T^^^^^^^^ 
Ge^^Chnton  gave  the  youn«..„ied  couple  a  cordial  letter  of  S^r: 

VOL.  II.  30 


■  1,'i,    -    » 


'  ^- 


'I     A  "  i 


•* '*!!'>.' 


!  "1 


m 

H 


P.W,  ^ 

•••«  * 


>. ..  * 

)    • 


••••i 


•"•KB     '^ 


1^ 

i 

*' 

% 

^; 

mm 

in''' 

i 

Rf«^> 

p 

"H.. 

1: 

J 

458 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


r« 


802 


*<  vincc,  but  also  in  Enyland— whicli  he  visited  more  than  once, 
«  and  was  there  received  and  caressed  in  the  families  of  the  no- 
«  bilily  and  gentry — were  remarkably  easy  and  dignified.  When 
"  among  strangers,  or  '\a  mixed  company,  he  wtus  reserved  iiiul 
"  taciturn  ;  but  extremely  alfable  and  communicative  when  with 
"  friends  in  whom  he  could  confide.  Although  not  particuluily 
"distinguished  as  a  public  speai<er,  he  was  a  man  of  strong 
"mind,  possessed  a  voice  of  surpassing  softness  and  melody,  a 
"fascinating  address,  and  great  colloquial  powers,  whicli  rcii- 
"dered  him  a  most  ii!'...-.:ng  companion,  lie  lived  in  the 
"  style  of  a  gentleman,  and  was  ptmctilious  in  the  observance 
"  of  the  rules  of  honor  and  etiquette  practised  among  individuals 
"  of  that  caste  in  their  social  relations."*  * 

From  New- York,  the  Chief  made  a  trip  through  Connecticut 
and  into  Massachusetts,  in  the  course  of  wliich  he  was  well  re- 
ceived, as  appears  from  his  own  letter.  At  Northampton  liu 
purchased  an  elegant  horse,  which,  greatly  to  his  regret,  sick- 
ened and  died  in  Albany.! 

It  was  during  this  visit  in  Albany,  that  he  was  again  exjioscd 
to  some  danger,  by  threats  against  his  life.  Tiie  sulferers  of 
the  Mohawk  Valley  had  neither  forgotten  nor  forgiven  the 
ravagers  of  their  country  in  the  Revolutionary  war;  and  '-the 
monster  Brant  "  was  still  held  responsible  for  every  act,  either 
of  barbarity,  or  of  death,  or  devastation,  by  the  wonted  usages  of 
war.  The  Mohawk  Germans  of  that  day  were  neither  educated 
nor  discriminating;  and  knowing  that  Brant  was  the  great 
leader  of  the  Indians,  they  attributed  every  torch  that  had  been 
applied,  and  every  butchery  committed,  to  his  own  single  hand. 
llence,  as  has  been  stated  before,  it  was  notoriously  the  purpose 
of  many  in  the  valley  to  take  his  life  if  possible,  during  some  ot 
his  transits  through  that  country.  And  it  is  not  unlikely  that 
some  persons  from  the  valley  might  have  been  watching  for  an 
opportunity  to  accomplish  the  purpose  in  Albany,  as  had  been 
desi.rned  by  a  Mohawk  German  in  New- York,  during  his  visit 
in  1 792. 

•  Letter  to  the  author,  from  General  Peter.  B.  Porter. 

■f  My  venerable  friend  Doiiw  Fond.i,  now  of  Albany,  says  Brant  was  an  excel- 
lent horseman,  and  remarkably  fond  of  fine  horses.  After  (he  death  of  hia  North- 
ampton horse  he  purchased  another  in  Albany,  to  pay  for  which  Mr.  Fonda  loaned 
ium  the  money.    The  note  for  the  amount  was  promptly  met  at  maturity.— \4utAor. 


1802.J 


ANECDOTE   OP   JOHN    WELL8. 


459 


.n^lu  "';P'«'^s«nt  designs,  was  an  incident  comin. 

so,nowhat  nearer  to  the  point  of  action.,  which  is  worth  record! 

in,  as  an  .llnstration  both  of  history  and  character.     In   he    1 

con.,  o   the  rava.n,g  of  Cherry  Valley,  the  reader  will  doubtless 

rocollect  the  massacre  of  the  entire  family  of  Mr.  Well     wkh 

--opnon  of  John,  then  a  lad  at  school  in  Set  tt^  y 

ut  that  lad  was  now  a  member  of  the  bar,  of  hi^h  spirit  and 

...common  prormse.     The  tragedy  by  which  his  Cvhole  f  m  v 

Ladbeencnt  off.  had  imparted  a  shade  of  melancho  y  to  lil 

with  h.m  to  the  grave.  Nineteen  years  had  elapsed  since  it  w.^ 
ciac ted  ;  but  there  was  a  feeling  in  the  breast  if  yonn.  wZ 
which  only  wanted  a^valcening  by  opport.mity.  to  promp  a 
s.ro-.g  d....re  ot  avenging  the  foul  muJders.     He  happened  to 

0  I.  Albany  during  the  visit  of  the  Chief,  and  e  fo'  eously 
oolcng  upon  hnn  as  the  author  of  the  mu;ders.  his  feeli  ^A 

yproxunity  became  exceedingly  bitter  and  exasperated  f 
deed,  he  co.ild  not  restrain  his  desire  of  revenge  ;  and  hast;ninl 
to  the  tavern  at  which  Brant  had  put  up.  he  Inquired  i^iou? 
where  he  should  find  his  enemy-declaring  tha!  he  would  W 
...n  on  the  spot.     Of  course  his  friends  remonstrated.  at.d  othi 

se  opposed  h.s  ptn-pose ;  but  U  was  not  without  difficulty  hat 
I.   was  persuaded  to  forego  it.     Brant,  hearing  the  disturbance 
as  ed  what  caused  it ;  and  was  told  that  a  young  man  whose 

ing  0  take  Ins  life.  His  answer  was  briex;  and  given  with  a  re- 
marlcably  fine  assumption  of  dignity  and  composure.  Not  a 
feature  changed-not  a  muscle  of  his  countenance  was  sel  to 
rnove--bnt,  slightly  drawing  himself  up  as  he  sat,  and  his  ey  s 
"l.ttor,ng  for  an  instant  more  keenly,  even  than  wis  their  wo^ 
he  said,  calmly  and  quietly,  "  Let  him  come  on ;"  and  notS 
more  escaped  hnn  on  the  subject,  until  word  was  brought  tha! 
Mr.  Wells  had  left  the  house.*  * 

GovZ  't  '7""^''^'  °f  *hese  unpleasant  indications  that 
Governor  Joy  directed  a  guard  to  accompany  him  through  the 
Mohawk  Valley  on  his  return  to  Upper  Canada.    But,  noUvith! 
sliding  these  drawbacks  to  the  pleasureof  his  visiti^  AlW 
there  were  circumstances  and  incidents  contributing  to  rendJ; 

JjfftSnt"/  'h'  '''"'r^'T  '""  ''''"''  '■™'"  William  In.a,,  E.q, 
- ..     Lcjden,  N.  -i .  who  was  at  ihe  hole!  at  the  time  of  its  occurrewe.  ^ 


Th 


•  V 


m* 

« 

ft*!' 

«• 

«• 

^1* 

w 

Its; 

<■ 

«••'« 
)«*• 

> 

t 

^ 

«♦•■, 

>m 

^•oi 

m 

1 

:k: 

1 

l«  . 

•* 

m 


Its   ' 

1  ■  '•« 
PI  3 


460 


LIFE  OP  bhant. 


[1802. 


it  otherwise  than  disagreeable  on  the  wliolc.  He  was  hospita- 
l)ly  received  and  entertained  by  sonvj  of  the  most  respectable 
citizens  ;  and  during  that  and  u  snbso(]i)ent  visit,  made  to  Albany 
in  1805  or  1800,  had  oppnrtnniticjs  of  meeting  at  the  (estivu 
board  some  of  the  veteran  oflicors  of  the  American  army, 
wh)m  he  had  met  in  the  lield,  or  rather  in  the  forest  fights  of 
the  frontiers;  on  wliicli  occasions,  with  the  best  feelings  possi- 
ble, the  old  soldiers  "  fo'ight  their  battles  o'er  again,"  us  olu 
Sdldicrs  are  wont  to  do.  Dining  with  General  Gansevrort,  the 
hero  of  FortStanwix,  their  conversation  tnrnedupon  the  memo- 
rable campaign  of  Sullivan,  and  the  march  of  Gansevooit 
with  his  regiment  at  the  cl,ose  of  that  campaign,  through  tlio 
wilderness  from  Sciujca  1  juke  to  Fort  Schuyler.  Aithongh  (iaii- 
sevoort  had  no  idea  that  IJrant  was  ntuirer  to  Mm  than  Niag;irii, 
IJranl  assured  him  that  he  w;ls  hovering  about  him  duriuu: 
the  whole  march  ;  and  was  so  near  that,  to  use  his  own  words, 
"  I  roasted  my  venison  by  the  fires  that  you  left."* 

He  also  met,  on  one  of  these  occasions,  with  the  late  General 
Philip  Van  Cointlaiidt,  who  had  served  in  the  New- York  line, 
and  who  was  one  of  tho  expedition  of  Sullivan  and  Clinton  to 
Chemung,  and  thence  info  the  Seneca  country.  While  convers- 
ing upon  the  subject  of  the  battle  at  Newtown,  Brant  inquired— 
"  General,  while  you  were  standing  by  a  large  tree  during  that 
battle,  !iow  near  to  your  head  did  a  bullet  come,  wh'-^'"  struck 
a  little  above  you  V  The  General  paused  for  a  moment,  niid 
replied — "about  two  inches  above  my  hat."  The  Chief  then 
related  the  circumstances.  "I  had  remarked  your  activity  in 
the  battle,"  said  he,  "  and  calling  one  of  niy  best  marksmen, 
pointed  you  out,  and  directed  him  to  bring  you  down.  He  fired, 
and  I  saw  you  dodge  your  head  at  the  instant  I  supposed  the 
ball  would  strike.  But  as  you  did  not  fall,  I  told  my  warrior 
that  he  had  just  missed  you,  and  lodged  the  ball  in  the  tree." 

Another  incident  may  be  introduced  in  this  connexion,  illus- 
trative at  once  of  his  sagacity,  his  strong  sense  of  justice,  and 
his  promptness  of  decision  and  execution.  Among  the  border 
settlers  west  if  the  Hudson,  opposite  the  Manor  of  Livingston, 
was  an  opulent  farmer  named  Rose.  He  was  an  Irishman ; 
and  having  no  child  to  iiiherit  his  wealth,  had  sent  to  the  Emer- 

♦  Conversations  of  the  author  with  Gen.  Peter  GanBevoort,  of  Albany,  who 
h/BlS  present  at  tlie  dinner,  though  a  lad  at  the  time. 


ncxiona  Rose  ha 


18(W.J 


TIIK    CNIUAN    lMi)|JK   OK    WAIl. 


4ei 


aid  Islo  n,r  a  m,.,,!kmv,  wI„„u  I..  ha,|  a,lo,,fod.     In  one  of  nrnnt's 
host.0  .ncursu.us  upon  ,ho  s.ttl...ncM.s,  dunn,  th.warofl 
Ro.olut,un  Uoso  «,Ki  his  ,K.p|.evv,  with  othorsrwero  talu-u  pri! 
sonors,  a„d  marchod  in  iho  direction  of  Nin.^a.     Dnrinl  the 
jo-.n.oy   nraut  t...  ,i.,so  asido  o,.o  morning  and  ad,„o.>th^ 
»".u  nu  to  move  !ar  away  fro.n  hiu.s.^lf  (lira,,,,)  b.,t  at  all  tim.s 
0..   ho.r  .narch  to  kcp  within  call.     "  I  Lv.  .  Lou  to  ho         " 
«a-d  the  C  .ef,  "that  that  ncph.w  of  yo.u's   ,s  ploui  ^  yo  ir 
;;doath.        0  .s  .„d,..avor.n,  to  hrihe  one  of  n.y  Indiuns^to^-U 
yoM.     I  shall  keep  an  eye  npon  them,  and  if  I  fnul  n.y  suspi- 
«c,ons  trno,  I  will  oxecnte  hin.  on  the  spot."     The  cantfo    was 
observed  hy  Rose,  and  no  Ion,  time  .lapsed  before       at  n 
ft^rrncd    hun    that    his    suspicions    were'  well-fonnded.     T 1. 
.K'P  .  ^v,  for  the  purpose  of  an  earlier  possession  of  his  confid  ,k^ 
uncle's  estate,  had  agreed  upon  the  price  of  his  murder  wi    I; 
vage  w ho  was  to  do  the  deed.     Having  full  evidence  of  t 
fact  the  stern  purpose  of  the  Chief  was  execUed  upon  the  in' 
gra  e  hy  lus  own  hand,  and  the  life  of  the  uncle  w^us^ved  • 

His  notions  on  the  subject  of  public  wars  wore  founded,  how- 
ever, upon  those  of  a  savage.  The  reader  has  alread;  "^ 
that  he  was  perfectly  aware  of  the  detastation  in  which  hi 
n..ne  was  h.Id  m  different  parts  of  the  United  .States,  and  pa  ! 
lar  y  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  Mohawk  and  Susque- 
lunnah  countries,  where  some  of  the  most  revoltin-.  scenes 
to^^%   r^r""1  ^"^'''  '"'^'''""^^  ''''''  P^^P^^'-^^d  during 

til      ,"'"'"''"  """'  ""'  ^°^«  -  prominent  : 
part    and  he  al.vays  seemed  particularly  anxious  to  justify,  by 

m,,k  and  gratuitous  explanations  to  those  who  received  him 

as  friends     lor  he    was  too  proud  to    make  explanations  to  his 

u'T  tl  7""'"  m.'-'^'^"  "^  the  commencement  and 
™         I    T;  "^  '"^  Pl-usible  statements  and  reason- 

vi  which  the  public  have  been  too  prone  to  regard  the  Indian 
character,  in  consequence  of  their  atrocities  in  war 

he  Indians,  he  said,  engaged  in  that  contest  reluctantly,  but 

r  TT  ""T  "^"^^  ^'  '''  commencement,  the  AmeVi- 
Tn  ;  '"'  '•'"  "'  they,  acknowledged  the  authority  of 
tn.  Hr.tish  governmeuc,  and  were  living  unaer  its  protection  • 

ne;.::;ri;3;:^;::;;^;  ::r  ^"^" ''-''-  '^-■''  "^-^°-  ^^^^y  -' 


» '» 


*.  •  1^ 


*    1 

1-4,.,      F 

.;  J 


'*«  '.«    '-H 

■'ja    '^ 


»     •  - 

f,  * 

w 

■»' 

:i 

'UnS 

*.«b. 

^  ■  h 

■•»H 

462 


LIFB    OP    BRANT. 


[1802. 


that  none  of  tho  inducements  which  led  the  colonies  to  revolt 
had  any  place  with  them,  and  that  they  fought  against  tlie  colo- 
nies to  protect  their  women  and  children;  and  to  preserve  the 
lands  which  God  had  given  to  them,  and  of  which  the  Uritish 
authorities  threatened  to  deprive  them  unless  they  would  join 
in  their  defetice  ;  and  it  is  apprehended  that  stronger  or  bettor 
reasons  for  going  to  war  will  rarely  be  found,  even  among  civ- 
ilized nations. 

In  justification  of  the  savages'  practices  of  Indian  warfare, 
his  course  of  reasoning  was  somewliat  like  the  following: 
Tiiat  the  object  of  each  party,  when  engaged  in  war,  was  to  des- 
troy his  enemy,  or  to  weaken  and  intimidate  him  so  much  as 
to  force  him  into  a  reasonable  peace.  The  Indians,  he  said^ 
were  destitute  of  many  of  the  means  and  implements  of  war 
which  the  white  people  possessed.  They  could  not  successfully 
contend  with  them  in  the  open  field,  man  to  man,  because  they 
had  no  artillery,  so  indispensable  to,  and  so  destructive  in,  a 
field  fight.  Besides,  if  they  could,  the  Indians  being  generally 
inferior  in  numerical  force  to  their  white  enemies,  would  soon 
be  subdued  by  an  equal  sacrifice  of  man  for  man  ;  that  the 
Indians  had  no  forts  to  resort  to  for  protection  after  a  discomfi- 
ture in  the  field  ;  no  battering  trains  to  dislodge  the  enemy  aftor 
they  had  retired  to  theirs ;  and  no  depots  or  jails  for  securing 
the  prisoners  they  might  capture.  The  simple  and  necessary 
principle,  therefore,  of  Indian  warfare,  was  extermination— to 
destroy  as  many  of  the  enemy,  and  save  as  many  of  themselves, 
as  practicable  ;  and  for  this  purpose,  to  resort  to  ambuscades, 
stratagems,  and  every  species  of  deception,  direct  or  indirect,  to 
effect  their  object.  Brant  justified  taking  the  lives  of  prisoners, 
but  disapproved  the  practice,  so  common  among  savages,  of 
torturing  them;  and  he  always  maintained  that  he  had  himself 
at  different  times,  by  great  efforts,  saved  several,  not  only  from 
torture,  but  death.  As  to  taking  life,  he  thought  (and  with  some 
truth,)  that  in  this  respect  there  was  but  little  practical  difTor- 
ence  between  the  red  and  white  men  ;  for  the  death  of  an  In- 
dian prisoner  was  as  certain  a  consequence  of  his  capture,  as 
that  of  a  white  man  taken  by  the  Indians.* 

♦  Conversations  of  Brant  with  General  Peter  B.  Porter. 


463 


CHAPTER  XV. 

the  Wluvl.H-k  lU.niN-     .Wt  'r  f  1,  r  n     <rtl'  ^'lif'T^r^'^^-'^'^^'^'^c  with 

ponH;'nc.;up.,,  o,.„r  Hul-i     t.- I "  . 'Z'' """^  <-th«  Wh..,.locks-Gorres. 

Ur,iH-L.lt,.r  ..•<„„  IJiHln,,  Pk     -V  '    I    f^  R     ?''  ""*-'''"      ''"  '"'J'»"«  l'"vo 

clmwctor  of  Uamt-Uis  dfuth  Northmen-Reviovv  of  the  llfo  and 

The  lifo  nncl  chiiracler  of  the  Mnlnwlr  ru;  e  ■     u-    j 
dc  relations,  r„,„„i„  ,„  t„  eon  il^d     Th^sM,    "  T''" 

uL.vt.r  oecn  truly  sot  before  the  publ  c      Thnsn  Pvnn  ^    *■  n 

™  at  the  truth  iu  regard  to  this  painful  incident  '^ 

Captain  f  rant,  it  will  be  recollected,  xvas  thrice  marrief'     Bv 

hs  first  wife,  the  daughter  of  an  Oneida  Chief  TT^  . 

«.n,  Isaac  and  Christiana.  pS^^/^h  ;t  ,  ^  t 
1  br.„gn.g  up  of  those  children  has  been  noted  in  the  e.rf^ 

»lioiii,  Joseph,  was  bom  in  17S3  '  °' 

^chri„"',L'"v'",;  "•■ '"",  ""''*■"''  ™  P-''y  e*'ca.ed  a,  „ 
cmnplcled  at  Niagara.     His  disposilion,  bad,  from  his  vouth 
?-.  ™.»  as  ho  iiiereased  in  years,  aild  ™  noUmp  JSl!y 


1'. 


*  *»■;!.•''       < 


•«  1 

'•ilj  » 


^H^^px-H, 

'k 

^^^^^^B"'*'  >n> 

.p 

^^^^^■wn  !,>, 

'»l 

^^^^^^K*  '■ 

■•H 

■3'' 

464 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1802. 


his  associations  at  tho  military  post  of  Niagara,  after  the  war  of 
the  Revolution.  Many  of  the  otiiccrs  on  that  station  were  rioi>, 
sometimes  to  excess,  in  their  living  ;  and  in  the  progress  o!'  his 
intercourse  with  tlicm  he  became  atldicted  to  strong  think. 
When  in  his  cups,  he  was  always  quarrelsome,  even  toward  liis 
parents — forgetting  the  Iionor  due  from  a  son  to  a  father,  and 
particulaiy  disrespectful  to  his  step-mother.  As  the  younger 
family  grew  up,  he  became  jealous  of  tliom,  imngining  thut 
they  received  a  larger  share  of  parental  favor  than  his  sistur 
and  himselt.  Notliing  could  have  been  more  groundless  tliiiii 
Avere  his  suspicions,  since  from  the  concurrent  testimony  of  tho 
survivors  of  the  family,  andithe  aged  contemporaries  of  the  old 
Chief  yet  living  at  Grand  River,  no  parent  was  ever  more  scru- 
pulous in  the  impartial  bestowment  of  his  afiection  among  all 
his  children  than  Captain  Bratit.  As  an  evidence  of  this  liut, 
it  may  be  mentioned,  that  when  in  England,  in  1786,  he  sat  lor 
his  likeness  in  miniature,  which  he  transmitted  in  a  goUloii 
locket  to  Christiana,  the  sister  of  Isaac.  Isaac  himself,  mort>ovi'r, 
notwithstanding  his  untoward  conduct,  received  the  most  indu- 
bitable evidence  of  parental  affection.  With  a  view  of  keopiiiir 
him  more  immediately  under  his  own  eye,  and  if  possible  reclaiui- 
inff  him,  his  father  had  caused  him  to  be  married  to  a  beautiliil 
ffirl,  the  dauirhter  of  a  chief  of  the  Turtle  tribe,  and  installed  iiiiu 
in  the  capacity  of  his  own  secretary.*  But  all  to  no  purpose, 
The  demon  of  jealousy  had  gained  possession  of  his  bosom ; 
and  during  his  drunken  frolics,  among  his  Indian  associates,  hd 
often  threatened  to  take  the  life  of  his  father.  Still,  he  was 
treated  •■•ith  kindness,  and  his  step-mother  invariably  kept  siliiil 
during  his  paroxysms  of  insult  and  abuse. 

His  career,  however,  in  addition  to  his  intemperance,  without 
the  circle  of  his  own  family,  was  marked  by  outrage  and  blooil. 
On  one  occasion,  long  before  the  catastrophe  fatal  to  liiuist'lf, 
soon  to  be  recorded,  he  grievously  assaulted  a  young  man,  who 
was  riding  on  horseback  on  the  King's  highway — killed  tlio 
horse,  and  sadly  maimed  the  young  man  himself.  His  fathor 
was  obliged  to  pay  a  large  sum  of  money  by  way  of  compensa- 
tion for  the  outrage. 

Subsequently  to  this  brutal  affair,  and  not  long  before  tha 

*  MS.  notes  of  conTersfttions  with  Briinf,  by  Samuel  Woodruff 


.;  .1 


DEATH    OP    HIS    SON. 


465 


1802.J 

painful  incident  with  his  father  soon  to  be  noted,  he  killed 
a  white  man  at  the  Mohawk  (Grand  River)  village,  outright, 
and  in  cold  blood.  The  name  cf  his  victim  was  Lowell,  a  har- 
ness-maker by  trade.  He  was  busily  engaged  in  his  shop  at 
work,  when  Isaac  Brant  entered,  and  said—"  Lowell,  I  am  going 
to  kill  you."  The  man,  supposing  him  to  be  jesting,  at  lirst 
laughed  at  the  threat ;  and  then  remarked — "  Why  should  you 
"kill  me?  I  have  never  injured  you,  neither  have  we  ever 
"  quarrelled."  The  savage  then  deliberately  drew  a  pistol  and 
shot  him. 

But  his  reckless  and  cruel  career  was  soon  arrested,  by  a  death 
wound,  received,  nnder  the  highest  degree  of  provocation,  at  the 
luind  of  his  father.    The  circumstances  were  these  :  At  the  time 
of  the  occurrence  there  was  an  assemblage  of  the  Six  Nations  at 
Burlington  Heights,  near  to  the  residence  of  Colonel  Beasley,  for 
the  purpose  of  receiving  tHe  annual  bounty  of  the  government, 
consisting  of  presents  of  clothing  and  other  articles.     On  this  oc- 
Ceision  Isaac,  with  some  of  his  young  Indian  companions,  again 
drank  to  intoxication,  and  renewed  his  threats  against  the  life  ol 
his  father,  declaring  Ills  intention  to  kill  him  that  nii>ht.     The 
Chief  had  that  evening  taken  tea  with  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Beas- 
ley, (who  then  lived  near  the  margin  of  Burlington  Bay,)  and 
allerward  walked  up  to  a  small  inn  upon  the  hill,  at  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  Colonel's  residence,  to  lodge  for  the  night.     Isaac 
followed  his  father  to  the  inn,  entered  an  adjoining  room,  and 
began  abusing  him  to  the  people  about,  in  language  perfectly 
audible  to  his  parent,  the  two  apartments  being  divided  only  by 
a  board  partition.     Becoming  quite  violent  in  his  conduct,  his 
father  entered  his  son's  apartment,  but  had  no  sooner  done  so, 
than  the  latter  sprang  toward  him  for  the  purpose  of  assault — 
armed,  as  it  was  asserted  by  some,  though  the  fact  was  denied 
by  others,  with  a  sharp-pointed  knife.     Be  that  as  it  may,  the 
Cantain  was  badly  wounded  by  a  cut  across  the  back  of  his 
hand.     Young  Brant  had  been  seized  around  the  waist  by  some 
of  the  Indians,  at  the  instant  he  was  leaping  upon  his  father ; 
while  the  latter,  irritated  by  the  wound,  had  also  been  seized  in 
liK'o  manner  by  some  white  men,  to  prevent  farther  injury.     The 
iidVay  was  the  work  of  an  instant,  durin  .  which  Captain  Brant 
Iiad  drawn  a  large  dirk,  which  he  always  carried  upon  his 
thigh,  imd  with  which  he  struck  at  his  son.     In  the  descent  ot 


f'-M 


t 

kMi 

"fffi 

/| 

m 

h 

1 

^. 

1  '• 

ttf>mi 

1   -■ 

k 

1  tt 

1  t» 

1     ■! 

-•<<, 
!••«< 

:> 

IM.. 

1    ii« 

■'»)'#  1 

1     ■■ 

•  »... 

Hi 

1    w  , 

;  i' 

46G 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


[1802 

the  blow,  the  point  of  the  dirk  fell  upon  the  head  of  Isaac,  and, 
culling  through  his  hut,  inflicted  a  wound  which  would  have 
boen  more  severe  had  the  position  of  the  parties  been  that  of 
closer  proximity.    The  wound  was  by  no  means  considered  dan- 
gerous at  the  time  it  was  inflicted,  although,  from  excitement  and 
intoxication,  it  bled  profusely.     But  such  were  the  rage  and 
violence  of  the  young  man,  that  he  resisted  all  attempts  to  dress 
the  wound— tearing  off  the  bandages   as  fast  as  they  could  be 
applied,  until,  ultimately,  they  were  compelled  to  bind  him  fast 
for  the  return  of  sobriety.     He  then  allowed  his  head  to  be 
dressed  properly;  but  the  next  day  he  resumed  his  drinking, 
and  tearing  the  dressings  from  his  wound,  caused  it  of  course 
to  bleed  afresh.     His  perverse  conduct  continued  several  days  ; 
a  severe  fever  of  the  brain  ensued,  and  the  result  was  a  speedy 
termination  of  his  life,* 

This  painful  transaction  took  place  in  the  year  1795.  The 
nfflictod  father  immediately  surrendered  himself  to  the  civil  au' 
thorities,  and  resigned  the  commission  which  he  yet  retained  in 
the  British  service,  ard  upon  which  he  drew  half  pay.  Lord 
Dorchester,  however,  would  not  accept  the  resignation  ;  and  the 
death  of  Isaac  was  universally  regarded  as  in  the  main  acciden- 
tal, and  in  any  aspect  of  the  case  justifiable  homicide.t  The 
Chief  called  a  council  of  his  elderly  sachems  and  warriors  on 
the  occasion,  to  whom,  when  assembled,  he  related  the  circum- 
stances of  the  melancholy  catastrophe.  After  great  delibera- 
tion— for  the  Indians  never  decide  hastily  upon  qneslions  of 
moment— the  council  delivered  an  opinion  nearly  in  the  follow- 
ing words : — 

"  Brotheu  :    We  have   heard  and   considered  your  case. 
Wo  sympathise  with  you.     You  are  bereaved  of  a  beloved  son. 


.».,» 

•1 

i 

Si 

'i   ■ 

:i ;; 

"u 

♦  Such  were  the  real  farts  of  this  unhappy  aflTuir,  as  collfctcd,  rrccntly,  tor  llio  iiso 
of  the  author,  from  the  statements  of  the  witnesses  of  ttie  tiansnction,  nnd  l\w.  sur- 
vivino  contemporaries  of  Ciiptain  Brant.  And  yet  Dr.  Morae  and  Dr.  Bilknnp, 
who  in  the  year  following  the  event  were  sent  forth  by  the  Board  of  Comtnissioiierfl 
of  the  society  establishrd  in  Scotland  for  the  propagation  of  Christinn  Knowledge, 
to  visit  the  Oneida  and  Mohokunuh,  or  Slockbridgelndiansi,  recorded  the  incident  in 
their  report  as  a  murder :— "Last  Suniincr,  Joseph  iJrnnt,  a  Mohawk  Chitf,  and  a 
"captain  in  the  British  service,  formerly  one  of  Doctor  Wheelock's  scholars,  mur- 
"dered  his  own  son,  who  was,  indeed,  a  bad  fellow,  and  had  attempted  the  life  of 
"  his  father." 

♦  Morse  and  Belknap's  Report  to  the  Scot's  Society. 


1795.J 


DOMESTIC    RKLATIOXS. 


467 


IJiit  lluit  son  raised  his  parricidal  hand  against  tho  kindest  of 
fathers.  His  death  was  occasioned  by  liis  own  crime.  With 
one  voice  we  acqnit  you  of  all  blame.  We  tender  you  onr 
licarty  condolence.  And  may  the  Great  Spirit  above,  bestow 
n))iMi  you  consolation  and  comfort  under  your  affliction."* 

Hilt  the  affliction  was  a  very  severe  one  to  tlio  old  Chief,  not- 
withstanding the  condolence  of  his  people,  the  convictions  of 
his  own  conscience  that  he  had  not  done  intentional  wrong,  and 
the  acquittal  of  all.  Doctor  Alien,  President  of  IJowdoin  Col- 
lege,  has  stated,  upon  tho  authority  of  .Toseph  Brant,  jun.,  that 
as  his  father  lay  upon  his  bed  and  looked  at  the  dirk  witli  which 
tho  wound  was  inflicted,  and  which  hung  up  in  his  room,  he 
was  accustomed  to  cry  in  the  sorrow  of  his  heart.f 

Taking  all  the  circumstances  of  this  trying  event  into  con- 
sideration, notwithstanding  the  unfavorable  impressions,  arising 
from  prejudice  and  an  imperfect  knowledge  of  the  facts,  tha't 
may  have  prevailed,  no  just  conclusion  can  be  drawn  to  the  dis- 
advantage of  the  Chief  as  a  parent.  While,  on  the  other  hand, 
all  the  evidence  that  can  be  obtained,  goes  to  establish  tho  fact 
that  both  in  husband  and  father,  his  own  family  circle  was 
most  happy.  Certainly  nothing  could  have  been  stronger  than 
his  desire  for  the  education  and  moral  culture  of  his  children. 
Knowing  his  solicitude  upon  this  subject,  and  appreciating  the 
disadvantages  of  his  position  in  that  res])i!ci,  several  gentlemen, 
in  the  year  1800,  suggested  to  him  the  expediency  of' an  appeal 
to  the  parent  government  for  the  education  of  his  sons  at  the 
expense  of  the  crown.     A  memorial  for  that  object,  addressed 

*  Tlie  account  of  this  prococdin^  I  received  from  tlio  S.-cietary  of  tlie  Upper  Pro- 
vince, at  Newaik,  wiiile  at  liis  ollice  to  obtain  the  copy  of  an  Iiidiiin  deed."— A«/e 
by  Sviiiid  Woodruff. 

t  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary.  Isaac  Brant  left  a  widow  and  two  children. 
Jii.igo  Woodrutr,  in  his  notes,  says—"  Tho  widow  and  two  lovely  children  which 
he  left,  I  saw  in  Br.inl's  family."  The  eldest  of  these  "  lovely  children,"  was  Isaac, 
to  whom  his  jrrandfuiher,  the  old  Chief,  left  a  just  proportion  of  his  real  estate.  He 
also  devised  an  equal  proportion  of  his  real  estate  to  his  eldest  daughter,  Christiana. 
The  yonnser  Isaac,  however,  grew  up  with  tiio  same  disposition,  and  walked  in  the' 
footsteps  of  his  father.  Ho  was  nevertheless  a  brave  fellow  in  the  field,  and  exhibit- 
ed his  prowess  during  the  lute  war  between  the  Unite  I  Slates  an<l  Great  Britain, 
1S12— 13.  He  was  afterward  killed  in  a  drunken  fro'ic,  nt  Brantford,  by  a  blow 
with  a  i;un-barrel,  inflicted,  as  was  supposed,  by  a  white  man.  But  so  bad  had  his  ' 
character  bcor.ie,  that  his  poor  mother,  then  living,  seemed  rather  relieved  than  other- 
wise by  the  occurrence,  being  in  constant  fear  that  he  would  commit  soma  dreadful 
act  which  would  bring  him  to  an  ignominious  end, 


M*    •';  •» 


1 


If    • 


»*i  »»' 


.W 


"■■"  1 
\K  9 

I!  I  ■ 
I 


•til  '• 


•'-•nil    ^ 


'U.'- 


4GS 


LIFE   OF    nilANT. 


[1800. 


to  the  Duke  of  Portland,  was  drawn  up  by  one  of  his  friends  in 
the  Upper  Canadian  administration,  and  submitted  for  his  con- 
sideration. In  this  document  a  strong  case  was  made,  arisin-f 
from  the  pecuHar  services  which  the  Captain  had  rendered  to 
the  Crown,  and  the  poHcy  of  havina^  his  sons  educated  in  sound 
principles  of  loyalty.  But  the  Chief  peremptorily  declined 
making  such  an  overture.  The  following  is  an  extract  from 
his  letter  announcing  his  determination  : — 

Captain  Brant  to  Colonel  Smith. 

"  Grand  River,  September  20,  1800. 
"Dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  very  seriously  considered  the  petition  to  his  Grace 
the  Duke  of  Portland,  tor  the  education  of  my  sons,  which  your 
friendship  for  me  prompted  you  to  advise  me  to  make,  and  must 
acknowledge   the   particular  satisfivction   I  feel  at  this  further 
instance  of  your  inclination  to  serve  me  with  your   friendly 
advice.     I  am  confident  it  must   hav^e  been  suggested  to  your 
mind  from  the  most  friendly  motives,  of^  which  I  have  had 
sufiicient  proofs  sipce  onr  acquaintance.     But  I  am  sorry  I  can- 
not altogether  comply  with   your  opinion  on  this  point ;  for, 
considermg  the  many  oppositions  I   have  met  with  since  the 
establishment  of  the  government  of  this  province,  in  obtaining 
what  I  only  considered  as  our  riglUs,  and  which  indeed  seems 
yet   to  he  in  some  measure  undetermined,  I  cannot  flatter  my- 
self with  any  prospect  of  succeeding  in  asking  such  a  particu- 
lar favor,     I  therefore   decline,  purely  from  tiie  apprehensions 
of  having  my  feelings  'arther  hurt  by  a  refusal,     Notwithstiud- 
ing,  I  think  such  a  thing  being  granted  would  be  extremely 
for  the  good  of  my  family,  and  give  me  heartfelt  satisfaction, 
could  it  1)0  obtained  for  me  by  my  friends,  without  my  running 
tlie  risk  of  meeting  with  farther  rebuffs," 

The  Chieftain's  papers  atibrd  evidence  that  an  occasional 
correspondence  must  have  been  maintained  between  Captain 
Brant  and  the  family  of  liis  old  preceptor,  President  Wheelock, 
for  many  years.  The  venerable  founder  of  Moor's  Charity 
School,  and  subsequently  of  Dartmouth  College,  had  slept  with 
his  fathers,  before  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  being  suc- 
ceeded in  the  presidentship  of  the  college  by  his  eldest  son, 
John  Wheelock,  Esq.,  who  was  recalled  from  active  service  in 


:^ 


1800.J 


DOMKSriC    RELATIONS. 


469 


tlio  army,  to  nssume  the  du lies  of  tl.ut  station.     James  WfieoloH; 
another  son,  had  resided  near  the  Chief  in  Upper  Canada,  after  the 
conclnsion  of  the  Indian  wars,  and  there  was  a  renewal  of  an- 
cjeut  acqnanitanee  and    friendship.     Dnrin<.   this  period,  Mr. 
Wheeloclv  had  proposed  taking  charge  of  the  eldest  survivincr 
son,  Joseph  ;  and  having  relinquished  the  project  of  applyin-  to 
the  government  for  assistance  in  the  premises,  the  Captai'n  once 
more  turned  his  attention  to  the  land  m  which,  and  the  friends 
with  whom  forty  years  before,  he  had  acquired  tlie  rudiments 
of  h.s  imperfect  education.    With  this  view  a  correspondence  was 
opened  with  James  Wheelocic,  and  his  brother,  the  president 
which  was  attended  by  the  desired  results.     Extracts  from  this 
correspondence  will  not  be  found  uninteresting,  affordin..,  as 
they  will,  farther  and  very  gratifying  illustrations  of  the  Chief- 
tain  s  domestic  character  :— 

Captaix  Brant  to  James  Wiieelocxc,  Esq. 

"  Niagara,  3d  October,  1800. 
"Dear  Sir, 

«  Although  it  is  long  since  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  seeinc7 
or  corresponding  with  you,  still  I  have  not  forgot  there  is  such 
a  person  m  being,  and  now  embrace  the  kind  offer  you  once 
made  me,  in  offering  to  take  charge  of  my  son  Joseph,  whom  I 
certainly  should  at  that  time  have  sent  out,  had  it  not  been  that 
there  was  apparently  a  jealousy  subsisting  between  the  British 
and  Americans  ;  however,  I  hope  it  is  not  yet  too  lat(.      1  send 
both  my  s.  ns,  Joseph  and  Jacob,  who,  I  doubt  not,  will  be  par- 
ticularly attended  to  by  my  friends.     I  could  wish  them  to  be 
studiously  attended  to,  not  only  as  to  their  education,  but  like- 
wise as  to  their  morals  in  particular  ;  this  no  doubt  is  needless 
mentioning,  as  1  know  of  old,  and  from  personal  experience  at 
youi  semmary,  that  thes'.  things  are  paid  strict  attention  to. 
Let  my  sons  be  at  what  schools  soever,  your  overseeiii<r  them 
will  be  highly  flattering  to  me.     I  should  by  this  opportunity 
have  wrote  Mr.  John   Wheeiock  on  the  same  subject,  but  a 
hurry  of  business  at  this  time  prevents  me.     I  shall  hereafter 
take  the  fust  opportunity  of  dropping  him  a  few   lines  ;  until 
When,  please  make  my  best  respects  to  him,  and  I  earnestly  so 
licit  his  friendship  and  attention  to  my  boys,  which  be  assured 


* 


i  •J 


ll  -i 

If 

m 


9 


-W 


470 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1801. 


of,  I  shall  ever  gratefully  acknowledge.     I  am,  dear  Sir,  wisli- 
iiig  you  and  your  family  health  and  liappiness, 

"  Your  friend  and  well  wisher, 

"Jos.  Brant. 
"  Mr.  James  Wheelock." 

The  lads  were  sent  to  Dartmouth  in  charge  of  Colonel  Ben- 
jamin Sumner,  of  Claremont,  (N.  H.)  a  gentleman  who  had  re- 
sided fifteen  months  among  the  Canadian  Indians.  Colouol 
Sumner  gave  Dr.  Wheclock  a  very  gratifying  account  of  the 
surprising  progress  the  Mohawks  had  made  in  the  art  of  hus- 
bandry, and  the  conveniences  of  living,  in  consequence  of  the 
influence  exercised  over  them  by  Captain  Brant.  He  also  re- 
peated to  the  Doctor  the  anxious  charge  which  he  had  recciv(3d 
from  the  Chief,  that  his  sons  should  be  educated  not  only  iii 
letters,  but  in  piety  and  virtue.*  The  lads  arrived  at  Hanover 
safely,  were  well  received  by  President  Wheelock  and  his 
brother  James,  and  domesticated  in  the  family  of  the  latter. 
Both  the  President  and  James  Wheelock  wrote  to  the  Captain 
on  the  3d  of  November,  announcing  the  feet,  and  informing 
him  of  the  arrangements  that  had  been  made.  These  wcro 
highly  satisfactory  to  the  parent,  as  will  appear  from  the  sub- 
joined letters : —  * 

Captain  Brant  to  President  John  Wheelock. 

«  Grand  River,  Feb.  9,  1801. 
"Dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  3d  of  November  last.  1 
have  delayed  answering  it  until  the  return  of  Captain  Brigham. 

"  1  receive  an  inexpressible  satisfaction  in  hearing  from  yon, 
that  you  have  taken  my  sons  under  your  protection,  and  also  to 
find  that  you  yet  retain  a  strong  remembrance  of  our  ancient 
friendship.  For  my  part,  nothing  can  ever  efface  from  my 
memory  the  persevering  attention  your  revered  fat.*ier  paid  to  my 
education,  when  I  was  in  the  place  my  sons  now  are.  Though  I 
was  an  unprofitable  pupil  in  some  respects,  yet  my  worldly  alfairs 
have  been  much  benefitted  by  the  instruction  1  there  received.  I 
hope  my  children  may  reap  greater  advantages  under  your  care, 
Iwith  with  respect  to  their  future  as  well  as  their  worldly  welfare 

♦  M'Clure's  Life  of  Whfiftlook,         , 


1801.J 


DOMESTIC    UELATIONS. 


471 


nds,  far  exceeds  my  expectations,  nnd  merits  my  wurniost 
th'u.ks     The  reason  that  induced  me  to  send  them   tl^  ', 
•struo  ed   tmder  your  care,  is  the  assurance  I  h  Jthat    h    ; 
morals  and  education  wotdd  be  there  more  strictly  attnded  1 
tlHvn  at  any  other  place  I  know  of.  ^  aitenaed  to 

«Iam  rnuch  pleased  at  the  kindness  yon  show  in  pressincr 
tl.en)  0  be  fannhar  at  your  house.     I  be/you  will  I     con      u 
■n  oxhortn,,  them  to  conduct  thomselves\',h  pr  p     ty      Tl  « 
character  you  ,nve  n.e  of  the  worthy  ,.cntlen.an 'th  ir    Lp^r 
IS    xtren.elypleasu...     From  the  wi,ole,  I  fe  1   peril'  tversv 
w  Ii  respect  to  their  situation,  and  the  care  talcen'o         i'  X 
cat.on,andam  fully  convinced  that  all  now  depends  otti 
o.n  exerfons      The  steady  friendship  vou  do  m'e      e  hon      (o 
assure  me  of,  .s  what,  from  numberless  obligations    I  doublv 
0-  your  family  on  my  part ;  and  I  be,  leav'e  to  a^s me  vou 
that  until  death,  I  remain  your  sincere  friend  ^     ' 

'■Should  there  be  r.ny  thing  you  might  wish  from  these  parts 
cunosuies  or  the  like,  I  shall  be  happy  to  send  them  to  you        ' 

"Dear  Sir.  lam 

"  Your  very  humble  serv't. 

"  Hon.  John  WheelocL"  '  •^°'-  ^^^^'•• 

FUOM   SAME,   TO   JameS    WiIKELOCK,    EsQ. 

"DKARSm,  "GfandlUvor,  Feb.  9,1801. 

"It  is  now  some  time  since  I  had  the  pleasurc  of  receivin<r 

your  kind  letter  of  the  3d  of  November,  1800.     It  gives  mr^m' 

peakable^satisfaction  to  find  that  my  boys  are  with  you  aT  I  Z 

u  7  confident  they  could  not  have  a  iLter  or  more    glj;  ^■ 

?:•  i  ;  tinuf  r"f '  'r^^  '""^^"  -putatioirof  th 

V  1  be  oi  I  T^  ^"  ""'  •^'■^'^•^  ^  ^'"^^''^^  '■"  their  studies,  it 
r  b!  I  T^  ''^^'"^'^'^«^-  I  therefore  hope  you  will  shAv 
me  the  kindness  to  make  free,  and  be  particular  in  exhorth^I 

X::z::Tt7'  ^"'  "''^'^^^^  ^"  ^  ^-..^j^^^f 

(non/L     .^     .  ^""^  5"°"  y^^  '''^'"•"  the  sam        itiments  of 

.ndsh     fo,  me  that  you  have  ever  testified.     I  was  a  pre  eu 

«He  the  mo^uier  in  which  I  disappointed  you  respecting  my  son. 


■.  '  k 


V, 


fW  ».^.k 


**in 

1    W 

**"* 

«. 

fjS! 

M 

'»»i 

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i 

) 

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m 

•  ••• 

m 

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3': 

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»' 

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, 

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■-  ■»*■ 


472 


LIFE    OF    DRANT. 


[1802. 


'M"~^: 


when  you  was  Iiore,  would  have  too  much  nfToctod  you.  Tlio 
occasion  of  it  then  was,  tlie  too  great  jealousy  showed  by  oiu 
government  here. 

"  I  yet  add,  that  I  should  wish  them  to  be  learned  that  it  is 
their  duty  to  bo  subject  to  the  customs  of  the  place  thoy  are  in, 
even  with  respect  to  dress,  and  the  cutting  of  their  hair. 

"  The  reason  I  did  not  answer  you  sooner,  is  that  I  have  ex- 
pected   Captain  Brigham  back  this  way,  and  thought  Jiim  the 
safest  opportunity  to  send  by.     Any  thing  you  might  want  from 
this  quarter,  I  should  be  happy  to  assist  you  in. 
■'Dear  Sir,  I  am, 

"  With  respect  and  esteem, 

"Your  friend  and  humble  servant. 

"Jos.  Brant. 
"James  Wheelock,  Esq," 

James  Wheelock  to  Caftain  Brant. 

"  Hanover  May  1,  1801. 
"Very  Dear  Sir, 

''  I  received  your  polite  and  very  agreeable  letter  of  February 
9th  some  days  ago,  for  which  please  to  accept  my  sincere  and 
cordial  thanks. 

"  1  am  very  happy  in  again  gratifying  your  parental  feelings, 
with  the  information  that  your  veiy  worthy  sons  conduct  them- 
selves still  in  a  most  agreeable  manner;  are  quite  attentive  to 
their  school,  and  make,  I  believe,  very  laudable  progress  in  learn 
ing.  By  their  amiable  dispositions  and  manly  behavior  they 
are  continually  growing  in  our  esteem;  and  I  sincerely  hope 
and  trust  that  your  andonr  expectatiot  s  concerning  their  future 
nsef  Illness  and  respectability  \\\  life  will  be  highly  gratified. 
You  may  depend  on  my  friendly  freedom  in  advising  and  ex- 
horting them  whenever  I  may  see  occasion.  But,  Sir,  (without 
flattery,)  such  occasions  will  be  very  rare. 

"  What  has  become  of  my  old  friend,  Mr.  Phelps  ?  I  want 
to  hear  from  him ;  but  I  have  written  so  often  without  return, 
that  I  have  done.  Please  when  you  see  him  to  remember  and 
mention  me  to  him  with  cordial  affection,  and  ask  him  to  diink 
of  our  former  friendly  days. 

"  I  wish  we  could  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here — per- 
haps, some  time  or  other,  we  may  be  indulged  in  this  wish.  Please 


1801.] 


DOMESTIC   IlEtATIONS. 


473 


to  romoml^r  mr,  with  Mrs.  Wl.ooloclc,  ufTcctionatoiy  to  your  lad- 
::;S^;;-'----^^-ithattae,.nJJ 

"  Your  sincere  friend, 

'•And  liumblo servant, 

«  Caplain  Joseph  Brant.-  "  ^''"'  ^^"'^'^^°^«- 

PUKSIDENT    WlIKELOCK   TO   Captain   BkanT. 

"  Dkar  Sir  '  Dartmouth  College,  May  6,  1801. 

"  Thonc^h  I  havo  but  n  moment  now  allowed  me  to  write  vet 
cannot  o.mt  en.braeing  it  to  express  my  tiianks  Ibr  your  ]£ 
favor  of  February  9tli  ult.  ^ 

"I  rejoice  to  hear  ofyour  good  health;  and  great  also  is  mv 
l.app,ness  to  be  able  to  inform  you  of  th;  regurar  eo-Xe    a"  d 
■steady  apphcat.on,  and  l.udable  improvements  of  your  dea  'sons 
w  h  me.     1  W.I1  do  all  I  can  for  thdr  good,  and'futnre  1      ! 
ness  ;  and  may  God  grant  that  they  shall  be,  and  long  continue 
.rcat  sources  of  comfort  and  assistance  to  ^ou  in  the  s       mo 
i..s.noss  of  enlightening  and  meliorating  yo'ur  nations,    ^w 
vnte  longer  when  I  may  have  a  good  opportunity,  and  .a 
.w  only  ask  the  favor  that  you  will  accept  this  as  a  token  o 
my  cordial  respect,  and  perfect  friendship ;  I  am, 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  most  ob'dt  serv't, 

»n    4    T  n  o  "John  Wheelock. 

"  Capt.  J.  Brant,  i^c.  ^c." 

Captain  Brant  to  President  Wheelock. 
"Dear  Sir,  '' Buffalo  Creek,  July  23,  im. 

"It  gives  me  great  satisfaction  to  hear  that  mv  sons  have  so 
condiicted  themselves  as  to  merit  your  approbation.  The  hope 
:  •  form  of  them,  is  pleasing  beyond  expression.  When  mv 
sons  went  away,  I  promised  they  should  remain  only  one  year  • 
but  as  they  seem  to  make  progress,  I  hope  you  will  be4  by 
te  to  convmce  them  it  is  their  interest  to  remain  another 
wititer,  and  exert  themselves  in  their  studies.     I  intend  goin- 

VOL.  If  -it  6""^s 


SJ 


f  \ 


H 1 


'sk'l 


»'*'> 


♦  •Mi  * 


4r4 


LIFE   OF    BnANT 


[1801. 


(o  r.iiijlanfl  this  Fall,  mid  should  I  rotum  snfo  in  tho  .Spriiio;,  I 
will  see  thorn,  and  thoy  nii^jht  tiicn  como  out  on  a  visit  lioniu. 

"  I  am,  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  friend  sincerely, 

"  Jos.  Brant. 
"  Hon.  John  Whecloch." 

The  same  to  James  Wiieelock,  Esa. 

«  Bufnlo  Creek,  July  23,  1801. 
"  Vrav  Di'ar  Sin, 
"Your  kind  letter  givos  inn  an  extreme  plensure  to  tiiid  tliiit 
yoM  and  faniily  are  well,  and  that  my  sons  grow  in  your  esteem. 
I  hope  sincerely  they  may  continue  to  behove  in  sucli  a  maiitii'r 
ns  to  deserve  a  contintiance  of  it.  1  have  not  seen  Mr.  Pli.'Ips 
since  I  received  your  iiivor,  but  expect  I  shortly  shall,  and  I 
will  then  mention  what  you  desire.  We  are  likely  to  succcdl 
ni  getting  him  ordamed  for  a  minister. 

"  It  is  a  long  time  since  I  sci^  any  pocket  money  to  the  boys. 
T  shall  in  a  few  days  send  by  Mr.  Gideon  Tilfany,  a  note  lor  a 
hundred  pounds,  N.  Y.  0.  I  would  do  it  sooner,  but  have  not 
had  the  opportunity  of  conveyance.  My  best  respects  to  Mrs. 
Wheelock  and  family. 

"  1  am,  Dear  Sir,  sincerely, 
"  Your  friend  and 

"  Humble  servant, 

"Jos.  Brant. 
"  P.  S.  I  send  a  letter  of  Captain  Elliott's  son,  their  cousin,  who 
is  much  younger  than  they,  to  shew  them  how  he  in  ..ov(  u.* 
"  James  Wheelock,  Esq. " 

James  Wheelock  to  Captain  Brant. 

«  Marcelhis,  Sept.  19th,  1801. 

'Very  Dear  and  Respected  Sir, 

'.  ,'sm  almost  overjoyed  at  meeting  your  worthy  son,  Josc[)Ii, 

,  f>    v;o.  linj-,  '  n  his  way  homeward.     By  him  I  have  only  a 

tnoTiK  :;  i;  •vrite  to  express  my  respect  for  you,  and  my  attanli- 

moiX  v..d  regard  lor  v   ai*  dear  and  promising  sons.    They  have 

*  The  name  of  Captain  Elliott  has  repeatedly  occurred  before,  in  connexion  with 
the  British-Indian  affairs  at  Detroit  and  the  Miatnis.  Captain  Brant,  in  one  of  his 
letters  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  complained  that  Elliott  was  dismisaed  from  tho  public 
•ervice,  for  some  reason  not  stated,  and  without  trial. 


1801.] 


DOMESTIC    Ri:i,AT10\S. 


475 


lH--ea  so  Ion.  n.  .ny  family,  ,lmt  to  soo  Josc-pU  .ccns  liko  n.oct 
,  oas.n.cond,nf,  v.hich  has  heeu  uuilbruUn^hly  ,Je   Ld  hv 

[•--,,.,  cuncem.n<M[.e,u  will  l.c  uu.swerod.  and  thai  tLy\vm 
l"Mli  I,,  jr^..',  useful,  and  /tr>,..r«We  in  the  world 

'  It  IS  some  weeks  since  I  left  homo.     I  want"  mnch  to  see 
y>n.,  and  Joseph  mentions  that  by  a  letter  irom  yon  since     k  ft 
.om..,  wcnmy  expect  that  pleasnro  next  Sprinj.,  on  yonr  retn 
(rcnyonr  mtonded  Enrop...,,   ton.     I  hopo^lvo  sL ,    2   « 
-pr«;n,tod.     I  w.sh  I  conid  have  the  pleisnre  of  n.y     id 
os..p|.s  company  on  my  retnrn  homo,  as  I  have  mon.iLod  to 
i'.m.     May  every  blessin.  and  happiness  constantly  attend  yJu 
and  yonrs,  is  t!ie  sincere  wish  of,  ' 

"  Dear  Sir,  yonr  very 

*  Sincere  friend,  ond 
"  Hnmble  servant, 

«P„../     7  ,     n  „  "Jas.  WhkkloCK. 

Capt.  Joseph  Bra7it." 

Captain  Brant  to  Mr.  Whrrlock. 

"  Grand  River,  22d  Oct.  1801. 
"My  Dkar  Sm, 

"1  received  yonr  kind  letter  favored  by  my  son  Joseph,  and 
am  extremely  happy  to  find  they  both  give  such  great  satisfac- 
tion  to  their  friends,  of  their  good  conduct,  as  well  as  to  me  I 
■annot  exp..ss  myself  the  great  pleasure  you  give  me  by 'the 
■:  -  a  attention  to  my  children.  I  would  really  wish  you  to  take 
tho  opportunity  to  continue  them  as  your  own  children  and 
f?ive  them  every  good  advice,  so  they  may  be  useful  and  honora- 
ble in  the  world.  As  for  my  European  route,  it  is  uncertain. 
"  I  remain,  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  sincere  friend, 

"  And  very  humble  serv't, 

"  Jas.  Wheelock,  EsqP 

Unfortunately,  while  thus  happily  situated,  pursuing  then 
studies  with  diligence,  and  so  demeaning  themselves  toward 
llioir  friends  as  to  wii^  golden  opinions  from  all,  some  diOlculty 


• 


'  i. " 

It 

i 

In  w 


''ISBr' 

"••I 

f  '*^li9nf 

«ni 

,   «^i^3eH; 

3.- 

M         1 

"*!'-" 

.■« 

*      »<• 

. 

In, In 

i.:;tk 

'1 

n 

t 

> 

'to. 

I.  .; 

476 


LIFF,    OF   BifANT. 


[1802. 


arose  between  the  brothers  themselves,  wliich  produced  a  sepa- 
ration ;  Joseph,  the  eldest,  leaving  tlie  school  and  returning  home. 
Jacob  followed  in  the  course  of  the  Spring, on  a  visit  only,  rotuai- 
ing  to  the  school  again  in  the  Autunni.  Two  or  three  letters moro 
will  close  all  that  can  be  found  of  this  interesting  correspondence. 

Captain  Brant  to  Mil  James  Wheelock. 

"  Grand  River,  March  20,  1802. 
"  My  Dear  Sir, 
"  I  received  your  favor  of  the  25th  January,  and  I  am  sorry 
to  learn  by  it  that  your  friendly  arguments  had  not  the  de.'^ired 
effect  of  dissuadin'jf  Joseph  from  his  determination  of  coming 
this  way.  I  regret  very  much  his  leaving,  so  unreasonably,  the 
advantageous  situation  he  was  in,  for  improvement ;  for  1  am 
fully  confident  he  could  not  have  been  in  a  better  place,  and  I 
shall  ever  remain  thankful  for  your  kind  attention  and  that  o( 
the  President,  although  the  imprudence  of  youth  has  rendered 
it  ineffectual.  At  the  same  time  I  nnist  assure  you  that  Joseph 
has  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  civilities  he  received  from 
you  and  family,  and  acknowledges  to  have  been  as  liappy  and 
comfortable  as  lie  could  wish  to  be  ;  and  perfectly  at  nouie  in 
your  house. 

"  After  the  great  care  and  attention  the  worthy  President  has 
been  pleased  to  sliow  to  my  sons,  it  doubly  grieves  mc  that  any 
part  of  their  conduct  should  have  the  least  appearance  of  ne- 
o-loct  or  disrespect  to  a  character  that  it  was  their  duty  to  revere, 
and  to  which  they  were  so  much  indebted. 

"  The  only  reason  Joseph  can  allege  for  his  coming  away, 
is  the  perpetual  disagreement  between  him  and  his  brother 
Jacob,  Mrs.  Brant  joins  me  in  thanks  and  best  respects  to  yon 
and  Mrs.  "VVheelock,  and  be  assured  we  think  equally  well  ol 
your  kind  endeavors  as  if  they  had  had  the  desired  effect. 

"  Mv  best  respects  to  the  President,  and  in  a  short  time  I  shall 
write  him  in  answer  to  the  letter  I  received. 
«  My  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  remam,  affectionately, 
"  Your  friend  and 
"  Humble  servant, 

"  Jos.  Brant. 


1802.J 


DOMESTIC   RELATIONS. 


477 


Jamks  Wheelock  to  Captain  Brant. 
"VEuvDKAuSia,  "^—.'W  19,  1802. 

«It  is  ^vitll  m,.,;h  pleasure  I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  vour 
noudly  auaoI.I,.i„.  letter  of  March  20th,_am  ^Vad  to  lean 

01    lie  y,.ir  s„  loi,,ir  a  joi.ruey.     I  hope  he,  as  well  as  Jacob 
wUl  sonjewhen..  complete  his  education  and'that  they  bot^  viU 

"My  iHother,  the  President,  has  mentioned  particularly  con- 
ernn>.  the  conduct,  &c.  of  Jacob,  which  renders  any  tZ 
ronnn,  mh.s  praise  unnecessary ;  however,  I  must     L     "' 
hat  from  what  I  have  seen  and  understood  knee  he  left  of; 
house,  (not  from  our  desire,  but  his  own,)  his  conduct  hi  be  a 
qutte  unexceptionable,   amicable,   and   pleasing;  and       si  aU 
ahvays  re.,o.ce    n  an  opportunity  to  shew  him  any  mar     o 
fncm^lnp,    y  advce  or  otherwise,  that  may  be  in  my  poj"-. 

"My  brother  has  likewise  mentioned  to  him  CapLfn  Dun- 
ham* the  .entleman  who  will  accompany  Jacob  He  is  a 
gen  eman  wo  highly  esteem  and  respect,  aid  I  doubt  not  but 
he  U.11  mee   with  your  friendly  notice  and  attention. 

•snail  always  bo  happy  iu  an  opportunity  to  render  yon, 
oratyof  yours  any  services  that  maybe  in  my  power -bu 
0.  h:.ppy  should  I  bo  iu  an  opportunity,  especiau/at  my'ow 
house  0  .see  you,  and  to  manifest  that  respect  to  which  youTre 
-  .instly  et.tuled,  and  to  which  my  own'  feelings  so  Tarm |y 
would  prompt  ,no.  Mrs.  Wheelock  joins  me  in  cordial  respS 
to  yourself  and  Mrs.  IJrant.  ^ 

"  I  am,  very  Dear  Si-,  &c.  &c. 

iin.  ,    T       .   r>  "  Jas.  Wheelock." 

(^apt.  Joseph  Brant,  ^'c.  ^c." 

♦  Captain  J.,si.,l,  n-,nh«,n,  n„  ofT.cer  in  the  American  service-a  .entleman  off. 


'J 


■    * 


*•• 

K  , 

'»0I 

*,,  ;  -f.. 

^ 
'«», 

:    1 

• 

^^Si^^B 

»A|t| 

'»■•« 

:«i''»4K'^B 

r:'l 

r  f! 

'•in   ,( 


-■■in'* 


'MUM     » 


»'*<»*l  '<>l 


478 


LIFE   OF    BKANT. 


isoa 


FiioM  Capi'ain  Brant  to  Jamks  Wheklock. 

"  Niagara,  \7th  December,  IBOii. 

"  My  Dkau  Sir, 

"  I  receivL'd  your  veiy  polite  and  fneudly  letter  by  n.y  M^^^ 
Jacob,  mid  am  verv  much  obliged  to  you,  your  brother,  and  ..11 
friends,  lor  the  great  attentions  that  have  been  paid  to  b.Mh  my 
sons  ;  iilcewise  to  Captain  Dunham,  for  the  great  care  he  look 
of  Jacob  on  the  jonrney. 

"My  son  would  have  returned  to  you  long  before  this  Init 
for  a  continued  sickness  iu  the  family  for  three  months,  whuh 
brought  Mrs.  Brant  very  loW ;  my  son  Jacob  and  several  ol  tlio 

children  were  very  ill.  c  ^     t^     •  ^    , 

«  My  son  now  returns  to  be  under  the  care  of  the  President, 
and  I  sincerely  hope  he  will  pay  such  attention  to  his  studu's, 
as  will  do  credit  to  himself,  and  be  a  comfort  to  his  parents, 
The  horse  that  Jacob  rides  out,  I  wish  to  be  got  in  good  ortlur 
after  he  arrives,  and  sold,  as  an  attentive  scholar  has  no  tunc  to 
ride  about.  Mrs.  Brant  joins  me  in  most  atlectionato  respects 
to  you  and  Mrs.  Wheelock 

<'  I  am,  Dear  Sir, 
«  With  great  respect,  your  sincere  friend  and 

"  Humble  servant, 
"  Jos.  Brant. 

"  James   Wheelock,  Esq., 
"  HanoverP 

The  only  remaining  letter  of  this  branch  of  Captain  Brunt's 
correspondence  wliich  has  been  obtained,  was  addressed  to 
James  Wheelock,  in  October,  1801.  It  rel.-.tcs  to  mattors  nidil- 
ferent  to  the  present  work,  save  only  the  mention  tlii.t  by  Hi-' 
burstino-  of  a  gun,  his  son  Jacob's  left  hand  had  been  sliatt<MV(l, 
and  that  he  was  "  about  marrying  one  of  our  Mohawk  irirls,"' 
The  whole  of  this  correspondence,  however,  speaks  liu;  old 

•  Joseph  Brant,  Jr.  died  several  years  ago.     Jncnb  Brant  is  y.  t  livin«,  |Julv, 

1837  1     A  dauMUer  of  Captain  Brant  nmrned  ii  Freitehmnn,  who,  in  J. ,7,  t, 

was  killed  by  aV^y  of  Indians  while  p.acenbly  trav,.|l:n2  up  the  Waoa-I,  Uim, 
He  was  .n  con.p' ny  with  nine  nlher.,  fonr  of  whon.  were  Udl-d,  and  .Inee  «...  J. 
When  the  hostile  party  ca.ne  np  to  the.n,  and  dis.'overed  the  son-n.-law  o  .1,,.  M"- 
^^C^.l  they  Im  in  drawing  the  arrows  from  the  wounded,  and  then  w.i.t 
off.-  Caf«j/'»  Museum— qnoled  by  Drake. 


•V 


'  ■^■^^^jf'--^  " 


1802.] 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


479 


CI     f  excecd.n.V  well  in  hi,  domestic  relations.     No  parent 

^^'Zl'T-    ^«"^''°- ^- ^'-  moral  and  intellLtuu 
an  ,.  of  Jus  othpnng.     His  lotu.s  are  cl.aractorised  by  an 
am   bio  temper,  and  by  ,ood,  sound,  con^mon  sense-breatL.; 
nspuuof  kmdnessand  aflbclion  throughout.     And  such  w.s 
lus  general  character  in  his  family. 

the  b,K^no '"%'." '"'  '^^'"•^•^P"'^J«»'^«  "P«'^  public  aaairs,  upon 

V        r.         ,""  "'^'"^  '^^'"•^^^^">'  ^'"^  '"  regard  to'his 
rnvate  .md  domesUc  concerns,  which  must  have  been  very  ex- 

^SST,"^"^'""^^  "'"^'^"^^^  "P-  rniscella.^:^ 
.  )]octs  to  winch  Ins  attention  was  fnm.  tiu^e  to  time  invited 
Hi.  name  was  co-extensive  wuh  England  and  the  United  States' 
and  he  must  have  had  acquaintances  in  France.     His  per som  l' 
nonds  were  very  nun.erous,  and  those  to  whon.  he  was'  now^ 
far  more  numerous  st.ll.     The  consequence  of  these  frielMp ! 
nd  tins  celebruy,  was  frequent  applications  analagous  to  tl  osl 
made  by  Doctor  Miller,  for  information  in  regard  to%he  birr'; 
cond.hon  and  polity  of  his  own  people,  or  for  the  purpose  oi 
oiicmng  h.s  own  views  and  opinions  upon  given  subjects.     Ot 
these  m.scetlaneous  letters,  but  kw  have  been  preserved      The 
annexed  is  given  as  an  example.     It  had  long  been  contended 
by  physiologists,  both  in  Europe  and  America^  that  the  AmerT 
can  abongmals  naturally  have  no  beards.     Nor  is  the  opinion 
uncommon  at  the  present  day.     It  was  for  a  solution  of  this 

ITf  T  :  ^''-  ^'^'^^^--'-^  --^«  to  Brant,  soon  after  the 
clo  e  of  the  American  war.     The  following  was  the  Chief's 


11   Mk 


dK.       '» 


if  ''i-'- 


1  ^^ 


"  Niagara,  April  19,  1783. 
"The  men  of  the  Six  Nations  have  all  beards  by  nature ; 
as  have  likewise  all  other  Indian  nations  of  North  America 
^vliiclil  have  seen.     Some  Indians  allow  a  part  of  the  beard 
"pon  the  chin  and  upper  lip  to  grow,  and  a  fcw  of  the  Mohawks 
sl'av.>  with  razors,  in  the  same  manner  as  Europeans  ;  but  the 
KcMierahty  pluck  out  the  hairs  of  the  beard  by  the  roots,  as  soon 
nstheybeirni  to  appear  :  and  as  they  continue  this  practice  all 
linr  lives,  they  appear  to  have  no  beard,  or,  at  most,  only  a 
<nv  stmn:ghng  hairs,  which  they  have  neglected  to  pluck  out 
lam  however  of  opinion,  that  if  the  Indians  were  fo  sba^e 
tiicy  would  never  have  beards  altogether  so  thick  as  the  Euro- 


^^^^^^Bfy'"' 

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480 


LIFE    DP    BKANT. 


[180-4 


peans  ;  and  there  are  some  to  be  met  with  vho  have  actually 

very  little  beard. 

'•Joseph  Brant, 

"  ThayendancgeaP 

Among  others,  the  late  eccentric  Samuel  Peters,  liL.  D., 
either  opened,  or  attempted  to  open,  a  correspondence  with  the 
Chief,  a  few  years  before  liis  decease.  Dr.  Peters  was  a  uiitive 
of  Hebron,  (Conn.)  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1757, 
and,  taking  orders  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  had  charge  of  the, 
churches  at  Hartford  and  Hebron,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolutionary  contest.  Being  a  friend  of  the  crown,Jie  went 
to  England,  wh-^re  ho  remained  many  years,  and  in  1781  pnli- 
lishedliis  extraordinary,  and  m  many  respects  fabulous,  history 
of  his  native  state.  In  the  year  1805,  he  returned  to  the  United 
States;  and  in  1817  or  1818,  made  a  journey  into  the  cciuitry 
of  the  great  northwestern  lakes,  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony ; 
claiming  a  large  extent  of  territory  in  that  region,  under  a  grant 
to  the  ancient  traveller.  Captain  Carver.* 

On  the  subject  of  imprisonment  for  debt,  his  views  were  those 
of  an  enlightened  philosopher  and  philanthropist,  as  will  be 
manifest  from  the  following  interesting  letter  discovered  among 
the  papers  of  the  late  Thomas  Eddy  ;  a  name  ever  to  be  revcnnl, 
as  among  the  most  honorable,  if  not  the  brightest,  adorinng  the 
annals  of  humanity.t  Mr.  Eddy  was  at  the  period  mentioned, 
and  for  years  afterward,  directing  his  attention  to  the  subject  of 
prison  di.scipline,  and  his  mind  was  much  occupied  on  tlin 
question  of  imprisonment  for  debt.  The  views  of  the  IMohiiwl; 
Chieftain  were  coincident  widi  his  own.  Both  were  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century  in  advance  of  pul)lic  opinion  in  the  Unit- 
ed States,  in  that  important  feature  of  English  and  American 

♦  A  letter  of  Dr.  Peters  to  Captain  Rrant,  written  in  April,  1803,  i^  so  .Iinm.- 
teristic  of  its  author  that  a  place  hn:.  been  a»>^i?nerl  to  it  in  tho  AppmHix,  (>"• 
XVII  )  as  a  curiosity.  Doctor,  or  Bishop  Peters,  us  he  was  railed,  dir.l  m  \\w  ci'.v 
of  New-York,  April  lU,  1S2G,  at  llie  advanced  age  of  00.   His  remains  wcro  inliraJ 

at  Hebron.  .  ,  ,. ,    ■■      j 

t  This  letter  was  transcribed  by  Thomas  Eddy,  into  a  volume  of  Indian  dorn- 
ments,  speeches  &c.,  collected  by  him  while  in  the  .lischargo  of  his  dnti.s  as  nn  In- 
dian commissioner  for  certain  purposes.  Ho  had  >nucb  intercourse  w,t!,  the  Om  ,dn, 
.Stockbrid<;e,  and  some  nth.-r  tribes  of  Indians,  some  forty  years  ago,  and  was  I.d  Ic 
inquiries  InA  exertions  for  their  moral  and  social  improvement. 


—■ "'*'^'i>MiMMii^..w^^^ 


18U3.J 

jurispr 
to  be  seen 


IMPUISONMENT    FOR   DEBT.  4QI 

jurisprudence  ;  and  ho^v  much  in  advance  of  England,  remains 


Letter  from  Joseph  Brant  to  *    *    •     • 
"  My  Dear  Sir, 
"  Yonr  letter  ca.ne  safe  to  hand.     To  give  yon  entire  satisfac- 
tion    mnst,  I  perceive,  enter  into  the  discussion  of  a  subject  on 
winch  I  have  often  thought.     My  thoughts  were  my  own.  and 
bemg  so  different  ft-om  the  ideas  entertained  a.nong  your  people, 
should  certamly  have  carried  them  with  me  tr  the  grave.  1  ad 
I  not  received  your  obliging  favor. 

rlJ'y!^  r  >  '"''  '^?'  ''^''^'''  '''  "^y  "P''"^'^  civilization  is 
favorable  to  human   happmess?    In  answer  to  the  question,  it 
nrny  be  answered,  that  there  are  degrees  of  civilization,  frmn 
Cannibals    to   the    most  polite    of    European  nations.      The 
question  IS  not,  then,  whether  a  degree  of  refinement  is  not  con- 
ducive to  happmess;   but  whether  you,  or  the  natives  of  this 
lmid,have  obtained  this  happy  medium.     On  this  subject  we 
are  at  present,  I  presume,  of  very  diiferent  opinions.     You  will 
however,  allow  me  in  some  respects  to  have  had  the  advanta<>-e 
of  you  in  forming  my  sentiments.    I  was,  Sir,  born  of  Indian 
parents,  and  lived  while  a  child  among  those  whom  you  are 
pleased  to  call  savages ;  I  was  afterward  sent  to  live  amono-  the 
white  people,  and  educated  at  one  of  your  schools  ;  since  which 
period  I  have  been  honored  much  beyond  my  deserts,  by  an  ac- 
qumutance  with  a  number  of  principal  characters  both  in  Eu- 
rope and  America.     After  all  this  experience,  and  after  every 
exertion  to  divest  myself  of  prejudice,  I  am  obliged  to  ^ny^  my 
opinion  m  favor  of  my  owu  people.     I  will  now,  as  much  as  I 
am  able,  collect  together,  and  set  before  you,  some  of  the  rea- 
sons that  have  influenced  my  judgn:ent  on  the  subject  now  be- 
fore ns.  In  the  government  you  call  civilized,  the  happiness  of  the 
people  is  constantly  sacrificed  to  the  splendor  of  empire     Hence 
your  codes  of  criminal  and  civil  laws  have  had  their  origin  • 
hence  your  dungeons  and  prisons.     I  will  not  enlarge  on  an 
Idea  so  singular  in  civilized  life,  and  perhaps  disagreeable  to 
you,  and  will  only  observe,  that  am.ong  us  we  have  no  prisons- 
we  have  no  pompous  parade  of  courts;  we  have  no  writteii 
laws;  and  yet  judges  areas  highly  revered  amongst  us  as  they 
are  among  you,  and  their  decisions  are  as  much  regarded 


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482 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1803. 


"  Property,  to  say  tlic  least,  is  as  well  guarded,  and  crimes  are 
as  impartially  punished.  We  iiave  among  us  no  splendid  vil- 
lains above  tiie  control  of  our  laws.  Daring  wickedness  is 
li(!re  never  sullered  to  triumph  over  helpless  innocence.  Tlie 
estates  of  widows  and  orph;uis  are  never  devoured  by  enterpris- 
ing sharpers.  In  a  word,  we  have  no  robbery  under  the  color 
of  law.  No  person  among  us  desires  any  other  reward  for  per- 
forming a  brave  and  worthy  action,  but  the  consciousness  of 
havinof  served  his  nation.  Our  wise  men  arc  called  Fathers; 
tiiey  truly  sustain  that  character.  They  are  always  accessible, 
I  will  not  say  to  the  meanest  of  our  people,  for  we  have  none 
mean  but  such  as  render  themselves  so  by  their  vices. 

"  The  palaces  and  prisons  among  you  form  a  most  dreadful 
contrast.  Go  to  the  former  places,  and  you  will  see  perhaps  a 
deformed  piece  of  earth  assuming  airs  tliat  become  none  but 
the  Great  Spirit  above.  Go  to  one  of  your  prisons ;  here  de- 
scription utterly  fails  !  Kill  fhem,  if  you  please  ;  kill  them,  too,  by 
tortures  ;  but  let  the  torture  last  no  longer  than  a  day.  Those 
you  call  savages,  relent ;  the  most  furious  of  our  tormentors  cx- 
iiausts  his  rage  in  a  few  liours,  and  dispatches  hisiuihappy  vic- 
tim with  a  sudden  stroke.  Perhaps  it  is  eligible  that  incorrigible 
ofTenders  should  sometimes  be  cut  off.  Let  it  be  done  in  a  way 
that  is  not  degrading  to  human  nature.  Let  such  unhappy  men 
liave  an  opportunity,  by  their  fortitude,  of  making  an  atonement 
in  some  measure  for  the  crimes  they  have  committed  during 
their  lives. 

"  But  for  what  are  many  of  your  prisoners  confined  ? — for 
debt ! — astonishing  ! — and  will  you  ever  again  call  the  Indian 
nations  cruel  ?  Liber*  y,  to  a  rational  creature,  as  much  exceeds 
property  as  the  light  of  the  sun  does  that  of  the  most  twinkling 
star.  But  you  put  them  on  a  level,  to  the  everlasting  disgrace 
of  civilization.  I  knew,  while  I  lived  ar-ong  the  white  people, 
many  of  the  most  amiable  contract  debts,  and  I  dare  say  with 
the  best  intentions.  Both  parties  at  the  time  of  the  contract 
expect  to  find  their  advantage.  The  debtor,  we  will  suppose, 
by  a  train  of  unavoidable  misfortunes,  flxils  ;  here  is  no  crime, 
nor  even  a  fault ;  and  yet  your  laws  put  it  in  the  power  of  the 
creditor  to  throw  the  debtor  into  prison  and  confine  him  there 
for  life!  a  punishment  infinitely  worse  than  death  to  a  brave 
nam  !     ;\nd  I  seriously  declare,  I  had  rather  die  by  the  most 


«1.    ..%    S-M.' 


►b,g    - 


l:M 


1803.J 


AMERICAN   ANTiauiTIES. 


4S3 
sevoro  tortures  ever  inflicted  on  this  continent,  than  lanc.„ish  in 

V(.rsL  —and  do  you  call  yourselves  Christians  ?    Does  then  tho 
rel.^ion  of  Hun  whom  you  call  your  Saviour,  insp^e  th  s  smr^ 
-    load  to  these  practices.     Surely  no.     ItisreSdofi 
hat  a  I,  u.sed  reed  he  never  broke.     Cease,  then,  to  call  yo  "r' 
elves  Christians,  lest  you  publish  to  the  world  your  hypoJri  v 
Cease,  too,  to  call  other  nations  sava..o,  wl^en  vou  a  e  fPnfnN 
more  tho  children  of  cruelty  than  thef."  ^  '^ 

Few  subjects  of  greater  interest  have  been  pesentcd  for  the 
consideration  of  antiquaries  in  North  AmeWca,  than  tho  e 
monuments  of  an  age  and  a  people  that  are  lost,  fo  ind  scat  i^d 
over   western  New-Yoric,  through  the  state  of  Ohio,  a  dm 

These  mounds,  or  barrows,  as  they  are  usually  tera:ed  in  older 
ountnes,  have  been  objects  of  extensive  inquiry  and  much 
peculation;  but  their  origin,  in  America,  and  the  purpos^  o^ 
llieir  erection,  are  yet  among  those  hidden  mvsteries  which  t  is 
prolv  ,le  that  even  time  itself  will  not  unfold.     Amo  ,  U  e 
Gie  ks,  on  the  steppes  of  Tartary,  in  the  north  of  Euro;e  in 
England  Ireland,  and  New  South  Wales,  in  all  wliic     corni 
nes,  and  several  others,  they  abound,  it  has  been  wel    "    r- 
uned  hat  these  tumuli  were  monumental  heaps,  of  creat^or 

U mted  States,  and  m  Mexico,  where  similar  barrows  a.e  nume 
ous,  appearances,  in  regard  to  very  man  v  of  them,  hav.sZcSl 
^  warrant  a  d.lferent  opinion  as  to  the  object  of  their  ihruX 
Iho.r  magnitude  in  this  country  is  much  greater  than  i     In' 
0  her,  some  01  the  largest  American  tumuli  being  appoaodn 
nonsions  only  by  the  celebrated  Irish  barrow  .u  NeTGnute 
scribed  by  Governor  Pownall  ;*  while  the  form  of  very  m  my 
of  the  American  has  mduced  at  least  a  plausible  conjectu're?thaI 

^i:::z::z:^:^:z.  r?  ^^r''  ---- ''-  -- »' '- "-. 

-la  of  small  ,,  bbos  and  h™"  f!  ^"^'f  '^^'''  ""''  ''^  ''^'''''  "'^'y-    ^'  -"' 

cave.    There  L  o       ^  r  W,   e  if^  o7,r' O^ f  ^■'"°  '"'  '™^'  ''=-'''"2  '°  -^ 
circumference  at  the  base  on    1.  nl'T    If     ^'  ^''^'"'  '^'''y  ""^  '""'■'y  ^°'^«  '" 

Near  Coho.ia  thi^  !::^:z^:^:^:;t:Sirz:'r  r  tt  '-'  '"^'" 

lar-f  8t  of  which  is  a  n-  r.ll  ,u  .  °"'  '""'  ''""dred  in  all—the 

formation,  i,I  the  WyZg  Vailed       '"  ''"''  """^  '^^"^''"'^ '''''''''''"'  •""''-- 


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484 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1803. 


thejr  were  the  military  defences  of  a  people  long  since  become 

extinct. 

While,  therefore,  every  inquiry  of  the  white  man  concerning 
those  remains  in  America  has  ended  as  it  began,  leavintj  tlie  sub- 
ject of  investisration  as  deep  in  obscurity  as  before,  the  opinion 
of  a  man  of  Brant's  information  and  sagacity,  thoroughly  con- 
versant, as  he  was,  with  the  traditions  of  his  own  people,  may 
not  be  unacceptable  to  the  curious  reader.  That  opinion,  or 
rather  such  information  as  the  Chief  had  derived  from  the  dim 
licrht  of  Imhan  tradition,  has  been  supplied  in  the  manuscript 
notes  of  Mr.  Woodrulf,  already  referred  to  several  times  in 
the  preceding  pages.     A  few  extracts  follow  :— 

«  Among  olher^things  relating  to  the  western  country,"  says 
Mr.  Woodniff,  "  I  was  curious  to  learn  in  the  course  of  my 
conversations  with  Captain  Brant,  what  information  he  could 
give  me  respecting  the  tunmU  which  are  found  on  and  near  the 
margin  of  the  rivers  and  lakes,  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the 
Mississippi.     He  stated,  in  reply,  that  the  subject  had  long  been 
ac^itated,  but  yet  remained  in  some  obscurity.     A  tradition,  he 
said,  prevailed  among  the  different  nations  of  Indians  through- 
out  that  whole  extensive  range  of  country,  and  had  been  hand- 
ed down  time  immemorial,  thai  in  an  age  long  gone  by,  there 
came  white  men  from  a  foreign  country,  and  by  consent  of  the 
Indians  established  trading-houses  and  settlements  where  these 
tumuli  are  found.  A  friendly  intercourse  was  continued  for  seve- 
ral years  ;  many  of  the  white  men  brought  their  wives,  and  had 
children  born  to  them ;  and  additions  to  their  numbers  were 
made  yearly  from  their  own  country.     These  circumstances  at 
lentrth  gave  rise  to  jealousies  among  the  Indians,  and   fcars 
began  tJ  be  entertained  in  regard  to  the  increasing  numbers, 
wealth,  and  ulterior  views  of  the  new  comers  ;  apprehending 
that,  becoming  strong,  they  might  one  day  seize  upon  the  country 
as  their  own.     A  secret  council,  composed  of  the  chiefs  of  all 
the  different  nations  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mississippi, 
was  therefore  convoked  ;  the  result  of  which,  after  long  delibe- 
ration, was  a  resolution  that  on  a  certain  night  designated  for 
that  purpose,  all  their  white  neighbors,  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren,  should  be  exterminated.     The  most  profound  secrecy 
was  essential  to  the  execution  of  such  a  purpose  ;  and  such  was 
the  fidelity  with  which  the  fatal  determination  was  kepr,  tnai 


mem 


1803.] 


AMERICAN    ANTIQUITIES. 


485 


tlio  co.)spiracy  was  s.ccossf,.!,  and  tho  dovico  carried  completely 
into  efloct.     Not  a  soul  w.ls  loll  to  toll  ti.e  talo 

"The  Captain  expressed  no  opinion  Imnself  us  to  the  trnth  of 
lie  ta  e,  bnt  added,  tliat  from  the  vessels  and  tools  which  had 
been  dng  up  in  those  mounds,  or  found  in  their  vicinity,  it  was 
evident  that  the  people  wlio  had  used  them  were  French 

S^^/"  fV'V^!^^'  ^''"^^'"^  "^^^^'""  t«  ^'•••^^«l  through  tho 
Stat  s  of  New-York  and  Oliio,  and  a  part  of  Pennsylvania," 
(continues  Judge  Woodrnff,)  "  I  h„d  frequent  opportunities  ^f 
viewing  those  artificial  mounds,  as  well  as  the  entLiched  p  ol 

idhlr'"'^"?'^  '°'''"?-     ^'"^""  '''  placed  upon  small 
and  handsome  elevations  ot  ground.     The  entrenched  plots  are 

and  their  banks  are  yet  plainly  visible.     Their  antiquity  may 
be  inferred   rom  the  size  of  the  trees  standing  both  in  he  ditches 
•iv^'m"  banks     being  as  large  as  any  of  those  in  their  vici- 
nity.    Many  of  these  trees  I  saw  which  were  more  than  two 
feet  in  diameter.     Near  one  corner  of  each  of  these  areivs,  is  a 
space  of  twelve  feet  in  width,  where  the  ground  appears  never 
0  have  been  broken.     It  is  evident  that  these  spaces  were  used 
for  gate-ways.     About  ten  or  fifteen  yards  from  these  gate-vays 
stand  the  mounds.     These  are  of  different  dimension.^  in  differ- 
ent f.laces,  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in  diameter  at  the  base  and 
from  SIX  to  twelve  feet  elevation,  being  now  much  flattened 

"  Various  have   been  the   conjectures    for   what  use    these 
mounds  were  raised.     Some  have  supposed  they  were  made  as 
depositories  of  the  dead ;   others,  for  places  in  which  to  store 
provisions  m  winter  ;  and  others,  for  watch-towers,  on  which 
sentinels  were  posted  to  guard  the  garrisons  from  approaclmi-r 
danger.     While  in  Ohio,  I  felt  an  anxiety  to  satisfy  myself,  iT 
possib  e,  for  which  of  these  uses,  or  for  what  other,  tliese  tumuli 
vere  designed     I  enaployed  a  party  of  young  men  to  dig  down 
through  one  of  them,  beginning  at  the  centre  of  the  apex.     When 
they  had  descended  through  to  tho  natural  surface  of  the  crround 
It  appeared  by  the  mould,  or  soil,  that  the  earth  had  not  M. re 
been  broken.    All  we  found  there,  were  a  {o^v  oaken  clups 
nearly  sound,  and  bearing  the  mark  of  the  axe.    These  circum- 
stances, in  my  judgment,  served  greatly  to  strengthen  the  pro- 
bability that  the  mounds  had  been  designed  and  used  only  for 


1   *Ml 


i'll 


* 

*ymt 

m 

n«< 

■* 

nil 

«'l« 
►».. 

> 

»••»• 

W 

»«». 

m 

•  a  ., 

1 

Ih] 

r  ', 

V.   5 

1       ^|K'' 

•  •t  " 

"*  HI'' 

1 

"  fl 

i 

lilf 

486 


LIFE   OF    BRANT. 


[1803. 


watch-towers.  Mr,  Q,uimby,  the  owner  of  the  land,  shewed  tno 
o  tinner's  anvil,  a  pair  of  shears,  and  an  adze,  whicli  he  iuul 
found  oil  the  area  within  tiic  lines  of  the  enlreneluiient.  All 
these  were  evidently  of  rrcnch  origin.  Many  other  tools  and 
vessels,  as  I  was  well  informed,  had  been  ((itnid  at  other  of  tliesti 
stations,  in  different  parts  of  the  western  country,  all  of  the  sanio 
character. 

"  In  farther  conversation  with  Captain  Brant,  he  informed  w.o 
that  he  had  ever  entertained  a  strong  desire  to  know  something 
more  decisive  concerning  those  white  people — their  former 
neighbors — and  that  while  in  England,  ho  made  a  visit  to  the 
French  capital  for  the  purpose  of  pushing  his  inquiries  upon 
the  sui)ject.  Letters  of  introduction  were  furnished  by  his 
friends  in  London,  to  some  literary  gentlemen  in  Paris,  by  whom 
he  was  received  with  great  politeness  and  rcspc*jt,  and  kindly 
assisted  in  making  researches  in  the  public  libraries.  Nothing, 
however,  could  be  found  in  any  of  their  histories,  respecting  tlie 
object  of  his  inquiries,  excepting,  tliat  about  the  year  loiiO,  (if  1 
rightly  remember.)  several  ships  were  fitted  out  and  sailed  from 
L'Orient,  bound  to  North  America,  freighted  with  goods  suita 
ble  ^or  that  market,  and  carrying  out  a  lumiber  of  traders,  and 
other  enterprising  individuals,  with  their  families,  to  plant  a  co- 
lony in  that  part  of  the  world.  But  nothing  farther  was  ro 
corded  concerning  the  enterprize.  Hence  Captam  Brant  was 
induced  to  siive  additional  credit  to  the  tradition  before  men 
tioned."  * 

There  seem  to  be  many  strong  reasons  for  believing,  that 


•I*  ♦ 


•  John  Norton,  the  iiitnlligcnt  Mohawk  Chief,  <:■  -atofore  repeatedly  mentioned, 
gave  a  dilTiTcnt  version  of  the  tradition  upon  this  subject.  Being  at  Albnny,  upon 
the  husinrss  of  the  St.  Regis  Reservation,  during  the  administration  of  Governor 
Jiiy,  the  Governor  took  occasion  to  ask  Norton  if  he  knew  any  thing  concerning  the 
orinin  of  the  Indian  fortifications,  as  they  were  called,  found  in  such  numbers  in  many 
parts  of  the  United  Slates.  He  answered,  that  there  was  a  tradition  in  Ins  tribe 
that  they  were  constructed  by  a  people  who  in  ancient  times  occupied  a  great  extent 
of  country,  but  who  had  been  extirpated  ;  that  there  had  been  long  and  bloody 
wars  between  this  people  and  the  Five  Nations,  in  which  the  latter  had  been  finally 
victonous.  He  added,  that  one  of  the  last  of  the  fortifications  which  was  taken,  had 
been  obstinately  defended  ;  that  the  warriors  of  the  other  four  nations  of  the  Con- 
federacy had  assaulted  it  without  waiting  for  the  Mohawks,  and  had  been  repulsed 
with  great  loss,  but  that  the  latter  coming  to  their  asfistnneethn  attr.ck  was  renewed, 
the  place  taken,  and  all  who  were  in  it  destroyed.— 7.f«er  to  the  author  from  (A. 
Hon.  Filer  Auguitus  Jay,  who  was  present  dunng  the  conversatiuii. 


1803.] 


AMrnicAN  ANTtaurriES, 


487 


at  omc  cmo  0  period  of  timo.  a  race  of  men.  difToront  from  the 
iHd.ans  found  ui  o.c.pancy  l.y  tho  En,Wi.h,  farther  advan  ed 
i.i  civ.hzat.on,  and  possessed  of  arts  of  which  they  were  "no 

The  Jndn  r  '""  "  ^"T"" '^^  P-tionsofLoon.;t    . 
lie  Indians  have  various  traditions  upon  the  subject  of  su^h  a 
lost  race  of  men,  difrerin,.,  however,  amon.  ditferent  tri  c    an 
often  among  individuals  of  the  same  trUx-s.    Mary  Si  o 
whowasratsed  arnong  the  Senecos,  and  spent  a  long  Hfrwai 
thom,  states  that  the  Indians  held  that  the  flatis  of  th!  GenI   e 
were  cleared,  and  had  been  cultivated,  by  another  people,  bfoe 
he  Indians  came  mto  possession.     TJiey  were  a  peiplo'o   won 
they  could  give  no  account,  because  "their  fathers  had  nevt 
seen  them."    By  the  sliding  of  a  bank  of  Mary's  farm  into  the 
ri-.er,  a  burial-nlac .  was  discovered,  of  whicli  the  Indians  had 

riKit:;:"t;"r''r''"''  '"'^^^"^*  ^'^"^^--  -^^"--' 

Indians.      But  of  what  r.-ce,  nation,  or  complexion,  were  this 
nnc.on,  people,  will  probably  never  be  known.     That  the  conti 
neat  o.  North  America  was  discovered  by  the  Normans,  durinc; 

F?il-''i'l""r^   r^^''"'""''"'  "^  ^'^•^ '-''"'^"^  of  Greenland,   b. 
El  Ik  the  Itcd,  five  centuries  before  the  voyages  of  Columbus  i; 
no  longer  a  matter  of  doubt.     The  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Sf 
L.jvrence,  and  the  coast  of  New  England,  were  visited  by  Lief 

d  Ihorwald  the  sons  of  Erik,  and  colonies  planted,  as  fa 
a  k  as  the  tenth  century.     These  colonies,  however,  we  re  soon 
ost  or  extirpated  ;  and  from  the  Icelanrlic  records,  and  the  hi 
tones  of  the  Northmen,1  there  is  but  faint  reason  for  supposin'J 
that  the  few  colonists  of  Vinland,  as  the  new  country  was 
named  or  their  descendants,  could  have  exter.d.d  the.riselves 
rom  the  estuary  of  the  St.  Lawrence  across  into  the  valley  of 
the  Mississippi.}:  ^ 

The  tradition  recited  by  Brant,  however,  tends,  especially  in  its 
details,  to  corroborate  the  well-known  legend  of  the  Welsh  con 
cerriing  Prince  Madog,  or  Madoc,  which  l.as  occasioned  so  many 
tones  of  White  and  Welsh  Indians,  rather  than  any  other  tale  o^ 
discovery  and  colonization  with  which  the  public  is  acquaint- 
ed.   According  to  the  Welsh  tradition,  Madoc-if  indeed  there 

♦  See  Appendix,  No.  XVIH. 
CaLTKr  of  the  Northmen,  by  Henry  Whea.on  ;   Voyage,  of  Scbas.ian 
t  Sec  Appendix,  No.  XIX, 


i  . 


.  .  iSIhHlf?!.'! 

.J 

=,  ,1 

H 

M  -1 

1 

r:i.  '\L 

■j    t' 


:: :  j 

»*^ :  I 

;  ■ 

I.  I 

•  •* 


488 


LIFE   OP   nUANT. 


[1803, 


wns  K\\ch  n  vorital)le  pcrsonna;o — in  ci>nscquoiico  of  some  domes- 
tic dissc'usiniis,  went  to  sou,  with  ten  ships  and  throe  hmidrc]  uitii, 
in  the  twelfth  contuiy,  and  discovon-d  land  far  to  llio  west.  Ho 
mode  several  voyages  to  and  from  this  nnknown  land,  but  linal- 
ly,  with  all  his  followers,  was  lost  to  the  knowledge  of  his  coun- 
trymen. Tiie  tradition  of  Hrant,  that  tlie  wliito  strangers  made 
annual  voyages  to  and  from  tiieir  own  country  for  several  years, 
corresponds  with  the  story  us  related  in  the  Welsh  Triads,  and 
by  Hakluyt,  who  has  given  an  account  of  the  supposed  voyages 
of  the  Prince.  The  cutting  oil'  of  the  coloj.ists  at  one  fell  stroke, 
as  related  by  Brant,  also  shows  very  satisfactorily  why  his  falo 
was  never  known,  ffidipus  solved  tiic  riddle  of  llie  Sphinx  ; 
but  uidess  ho  was  able  to  solve  still  greater  mysteries,  the  origin 
and  uses  of  tiie  American  tumuli  present  questions  tliat  would 
liave  baffled  the  wisdom  even  of  the  accomplished  though  un- 
fortunate son  and  husband  of  Jocastu. 

In  bringing  the  life  and  actions  of  Joseph  Brunt— Tlmyendane- 
gea,  to  a  close,  something  in  the  form  of  a  sunnnary  review  ot 
his  character  will  doubtless  be  expected  at  the  hands  of  the  bio- 
grapher. This  tusk  can  be  readily  and  expeditiously  executed, 
from  the  method  adopted  in  the  composition  of  the  work  itself. 
Nor,  after  the  record  already  given  of  his  public  life  and  con- 
duct, and  the  occasional  anecdotes  and  illustrations  of  character 
introduced  in  the  regular  progress  of  v.,e  narrative,  will  the 
reader  be  surprised  to  find  the  author  disposed,  not  only  to  set 
aside,  but  to  reverse  th^  popular  estimate,  and  all  previous  deci- 
sions of  history,  in  relation  to  the  character  of  that  remarkable 

man. 

His  fine  personal  appearance  in  the  full  maturity  of  manhood 
has  already  boen  described  from  the  notes  of  Mr.  Woodruff  and 
General  Porter.  His  early  advantages  of  education  were  limit- 
ed, but  of  these  he  evidently  made  the  best  use.  Probably,  be- 
ino-  connected  by  the  alliance  of  his  sister  with  Sir  William 
Johnson,  he  may  have  attended  some  of  the  missionary  schools 
in  the  Mohawk  Valley  previous  to  his  being  sent  by  the  Baro- 
net to  the  Moor  charity  school,  under  the  care  of  the  elder  Doc- 
tor Wheelock.  But  as  he  had  already,  though  at  so  early  an 
ao-e,  been  upon  the  war-path  in  two  campaigns,  his  opportunities 
of  study  could  not  have  been   great,— to  say  nothing  of  the 


180(5.] 


VIEW   OF   HIS   CHARACTKIt. 


489 


relu.taMcc    mth  which   an  ardent  yot.ff,,    looki...  with  d.> 
li.'ut  iip^uthopndo,  pomp  nud  circu.mtunco  of  .r|„rious  war 
ax'l  •'.'PHtn.,.t  of  .nilitary  renown,  might  bo  cx,K.ct«l  to  confine 
Hi..s,.||  to  t  ,0  dn  1  and  .juiot  pnrsnits  of  the  school-room.     Still, 
I-'  acKMo^vlod.r.d  in  after  life  that  he  had  derived  ^n-eat  and  lust' 
m-^  advanta^^s   from   the   instrnctions  of   Doctor   Whoelock. 
The  wnrs  of  Pont.ac  a  third  time  called  hi„.  to  the  field  ;  bnt  the 
canipa.irn  .vas  no  sooner  er.ded,  than  ho  was  a-mni  en..,.ed  in 
l't|-rary  pnn.,nt.  nnder  the  direction  of  ,hn  missionari^.'  The 
inflnencn  of    n.s  sister  in  the  administration  of  the  Indian  do- 
part,nenr    cdled   him  more    directly   into   active    pnl.lic   life 
on    he  death  of  S.r  Willian>  Johnson,  althonj^h  he  had  been 
.nnch  employed  in  the  transaction  of  l,„sin...ss  with  the  Indians 
provmusto  that  event.     Those  avocations  h,td   of  con  rse  de- 
prived hnn  of  ,nnch  time  which  mi,<rht  otherwise  have  been 
(■voted  to  stndy;    and  when  npon'him  had    devolved    the 
ch.eltan.sh.p  of  the  whole  confederacy  of  the  Six  Nations 
It  .nay  well  be  nna-ined  that  theofllcial  claims  npon  his  atten- 
tion were  m  themselves  snfRcient  to  occupy,  nnremittinHv  the 
most  active  mn,d.     Then  followed  the  protracted  conflict  of  the 
American  Revolntion,  reqniri.ig,  from  his  position,  and  the  side 
he  espoused,  the  exercise  of  all  his  energies,  physical  and  intellec 
nil.    Bnt  h,s  return  to  his  books,  the  mo.nenf  that  the  great  con- 
est  was  ended;  the  progressive  improvement  in  the  sfyle  of  his 
letters ;  and  the  fruits  of  his  labors  in  the  translations  he  produced 
are  circumstances  proving  his  perseverance  amidst  the  mosj 
harassing  cares  and   perplexities  of  his  after-life,  and  that  he 
had  a  natural  taste  for  literature,  and  was  zealous  in  the  acquisi- 
tion of  knovvledge.     His  solicitude  was  great  for  the  thoronal. 
education  of  his  children  ;  and  he  had  himself  not  only  pr°o- 
.lec ted  writing  a  history  of  his  own  people,  but  had  it  in  contem- 
plation himself  to  acquire  the  knowledge  of  the  Greek  lancrua-re 
that  he  might  be  enabled  to  read  the  New  Testament  Tn  the' 
original,  and  thus  make  a  more  perfect  translation  of  the  Greek 
acnptiires  in  the  Mohawk  tongue. 

His  cliaracter  has  been  represented  as  savage  and  cruel ;  and 
m  the  meagre  sketches  of  his  life  hitherto  published,  althoucrh 
an  occasional  redeeming  virtue  has  been  allowed  by  some,  anec- 
dotes of  treachery  and  blood  have  been  introduced,  to  sustain 


I  li 


VOL.  n. 


32 


HI    « 


Iflil  « 


.... 


490 


LIFE    OF    BUANT. 


[1806. 


*<.^l 

'* 

•ill 

'« 

1 

:>• 

»:i 

3! 

« 

J 

'•*  II. 


"•  ,;•  '•< 

::» 


the  imputed  disposition  of  relentless  ferocity."  The  causes  of 
this  genenil  libel  upon  the  native  character  of  the  Indians,  and 
upon  that  of  Brant  in  particular,  have  been  indicated  in  the 
coinnienceinent  of  the  present  work.  Such,  however,  was  not 
the  fact.  On  the  contrary,  making  the  necessary  allowances  ibv 
his  position,  his  own  blood,  and  the  description  of  warriors  ho 
commanded,  alter  the  most  diligent  and  laborious  investigation, 
the  author  is  free  to  declare  his  belief  that  Brant  was  no  less  hu- 
mane than  he  is  on  all  hands  admitted  to  have  been  brave.  He 
was  an  Indian,  and  led  Indians  to  the  fight,  upon  their  own  prin- 
ciples and  usages  of  war.  Bold  and  daring,  sagacious  and  wily, 
he  often  struck  when  least  expected  ;  but  the  author  has  in  vain 
sought  lor  an  instance  of  wanton  cruelty— of  treachery— or  ot 
the  "murder  of  prisoners,  or  others,  by  his  own  liand,  or  by  his 
permission,  in  cold  blood.  At  the  first  outbre  Jcof  the  Ameri- 
can revolution,  he  interposed  and  saved  the  life  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Kirkland  when  on  the  point  of  becoming  a  victim  to  Indian 
fury,  although  not  at  that  time  on  the  very  best  terms  with  tiiat 
gentleman.  The  first  battle  of  the  revolutionary  war  in  which 
Brant  was  engaged,  was  that  of  the  Cedars,  on  the  banks  of  the 
St.  Lawrence.  Immediately  alter  the  late  of  the  day  was  de- 
cided, he  interposed  to  save  the  prisoners,  and  actual  ly,  at  his 
own  private  expense,  appeased  the  Indians,  and  prevented  the 
sacrifice  of  the  brave  Captain  M'Kinstry.  This  gentleman  was 
well  known  to  the  author,  and  he  ever  entertained  a  high  regard 
for  Captain  Brant,  by  whom  he  was  afterward  visited  on  the 

*  As  a  specimen  of  thcso  l.loody  anecdotes  take  the  followins;,  related  many 
years  since  by  a  travclliT  named  Weld,  from  whom  it  has  been  universally  copied 
since.  And  yet  there  is  not  a  syllable  of  truth  in  its  composition :— "  With  a  con- 
e-dcrable  body  of  his  troops,  hejuined  the  forces  under  the  command  of  Sir  John 
Johnson.  A  skirmish  took  place  with  a  body  of  American  troops  ;  the  action  uas 
warm,  and  Brant  was  shot  by  a  musket  hall  in  his  heel ;  but  the  Americans  in  ihc 
end  were  defeated  and  an  officer  and  e^xty  men  were  taken  prisoners.  The  offi- 
cer, after  having  delivered  up  his  .swortl,  had  entered  into  conversation  with  Sir  Joim 
Johnson,  who  c°ommanded  the  British  troops,  and  they  were  talking  lo.  ether  in  the 
most  friendly  manner,  when  Brant,  having  stolen  slily  behind  them,  laid  the  Ameri- 
can  officer  low  with  a  blow  of  his  tomahawk.  The  indignation  of  Sir  John  Jolin- 
Hon,  as  may  be  readily  supposed,  was  roused  by  such  an  act  of  treachery,  and  lie  re- 
sented it  in  the  warmest  terms.  Brant  listened  to  him  unconcernedly,  and  when  he 
had  finished,  told  him  that  he  was  aorry  lor  his  displeasure,  but  that  indeed  his  heel 
was  extremely  painful  at  the  moment,  and  he  could  not  helprevenojn;;  himself  on 
the  only  chief  of  the  party  that  he  saw  taken.  Since  he  had  killed  the  officer,  he 
added,  his  heel  was  much  leaa  pairsful  to  him  than  it  had  been  before." 


^SSSSIS!FV3lSi!i6^-'- 


1800.] 


VIEW    OP   HIS   CHARACTKU. 


^91 


•'  <^l'"'ry  Valley,  to  stay  the  effusion  of  innocent  blood,  have 
..a  ....,,      an.  the  account  of  that  tragic  in-upt.n.     In  :;:^ 
<J  tioM  to  the  (Mrcunistances  there  narrated,   Doctor   Dwic^ht 
who  was  us  careful  as  he  was  diligent  in  the  collection  of\is' 

'      Iv  h  Tm  r  ""  TT^  ''''  '^  ''''  '^^--  -  <^^herry  Val- 

>y    Walter     uler  ordered  a  woman  and  child,  who  were  in 

■;j^  .^    H<   led  ;  hut  the  Mohawk  Chief  interpoLd,  and  said  " 

"c.?  v\,     ,;V,r"''  ""^'''"^'     ^'^     That  child  is  not  an 
auny  to    he  King,  nor  a  fr.end  to  the  Congress.     Lone  be- 

n-  how.  1   be  big  enough  to  do  any  misd^icf;  the  di^uL 
wl  1.0  ...led.      At  the  affair  of  Wyoming,  for  ;hich  heC 
•ihv.tys  loceived  the  severest  condemnation,  he  was  not  present 
H.S  conduct  to  Captain  Harper  and  his  fellow-prisoners  was 
■'I'y  thing  but  cruel,  in  the  Indian  acceptation  of  the  term, 
alt  o„gh  li.e  oxec,U.on  of  the  aged  and  weary  prisoner,  if  done 
wi  h  Ins  Icnowlcigo  or  by  his  direction,  was  iaiefensible.     But 
at  M.ms.nic,  according  to  his  own  relation  of  the  circumstances 
M  h.s  veracity  has  never  been  questioned,)  his  conduct  has 
been  grossly  misrepresented.     He  exerted  himself  in  the  first 
.nstanoo  to  avert  the  eflusion  of  blood,  and  was  fired  upon 
n-liile  in  Ihe  act  of  making  pacific  overtures.  True,  Colonel  Wis- 
ner  was  hnully  killed  by  Ins  own  hand  ;  but  the  very  blow  was 
prompted  by  humanity,  according  to  the  reasoning  of  an  Indian 
1  he  soldier  was  wounded  past  cure  or  removal ;  .nd  after  reflec- 
tion upon  the  pamful  case,  to  prevent  his  dying  agonies  from  be- 
ing aggravated  by  beast.s  of  prey,  the  Chief  put  an  end  to  his  suf- 
ferings through  an  honest  dictate  of  compassion.     A  thoroiurhl y 
nnlized  warrior  would  neither  have  reasoned  nor  acted  as  he 
did  under  the  circumstances.    Still,  the  act  was  prompted  by 
fcohngs  of  humanity,  and  was  doubtless  such  in  reality     Lieu- 
tenant Wormwood  was  killed  at  Cherry  Valley  by  mistake,  and 
..ftor  refusing  to  stand  when  hailed.     Lieutenant  Boyd  and  his 
companion  woro  treated  with  humanity  by  Brant  after  the  cap- 
ture in  the  Genesee  country,  and  the  dreadful  tragedy  which 
ended  their  lives  was  not  enacted  until  Brant  had  departed  for 
Magara.    The  reader  cannot  well  have  forgotten  the  touchino- 
mid  beautiful  incident  of  the  restoration  of  the  infant  to  its 
•nother,  at  Fort  Hunter,  as  related  to  the  author  bv  Governor 
Lewis,  an  eyo-witnoss  .f  tlic  transaction.    To  all  wliich  may  be 


i' 


f  1- 


>•* 


H  '11 

1 

M 

r 

-f 

'I'i 

». 

«        > 

1 

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■  % 

<>• 

' 

492  LIFE    OP   BRANT  [180(5. 

added,  tliat  liis  Inst  net  of  the  last  battle  he  fought  was  the  ros- 
cxiin?  of  an  American  prisoner  from  a  savage  Irish  ally  of  his 
own  Indians,  who  was  about  to  murder  him.* 

In  the  course  of  his  conversations  with  Major  James  Corhraii 
nnd  General  Porter,  long  after  the  war,  in  regard  to  the  allcgnl 
cruelty  of  his  career,  Brant  assured  those  gentlemen  that  lie  hud 
al  ways  spared  in  battle  whenever  it  conld  be  done  without  briny- 
ing  upon  himself  tiie  censure  of  his  own  people.  In  nund 
in>t;uicos  than  one,  lie  said,  he  had  been  instrumental  in  pre- 
serving li!(;  when  exposed  to  the  fury  of  his  warriors,  and  that 
he  had  winked  at  the  escape  of  white  prisoners,  whose  sud'rr 
ings  would  not  permit  thenv  to  proceed  on  their  march.  I|(! 
related  one  instance  in  particular,  in  whicii  a  yoiing  feniahs  pri- 
soner had  higged  behind,  and  whom  he  himself  hid  in  the  bushes 
that  she  mi^ht  escape  and  return  to  her  liome.  Tiiis  aecoiml 
of  himself  wius  subsequently  confirmed  by  Captain  Philip  Frcy, 
son  of  Colonel  Hendrick  Frey,  of  Tryon  county,  of  most 
respectable  character  and  connexions,  and  an  olficer  in  the  Hii 
tish  army,  who  had  served  with  Brant  on  several  military  expe- 
ditions, and  shared  with  him  the  dangers  of  several  battles.  | 

Having  thus  disposed  of  the  principal  events  in  his  career 
during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  in  respect  to  which  his  con- 
duct was  certainly  the  opposite  of  savage  and  blood-thirsty,  tlii.s 
point  of  his  vindication  may  be  appropriately  closed  by  the  iiil- 

•  This  incident  was  mentioned  to  me  by  Colonel  Kerr,  his  son-in-law.  'i'h« 
occurrence  was  at  the  defeat  of  St.  Clair. 

t  Letter  of  Mnjor  Cochran  to  the  author.  In  farther  illustration  of  l!iiinl'n 
general  desire  to  prevent  the  shedding  of  hluod  unnecessarily,  the fullowinj;  iiuidnil 
has  been  communicated  to  the  author  while  these  sheets  were  passin-;  liiri)iii;ii  ih" 
press  :— "The  lateJonathnn  Maynard,  Esq.  of  Framingham,  (near  Boaloii,)  Mii»- 
sachusetts,  formerly  a  member  of  the  Senate  of  that  State,  was  actively  eu'iiit;.',! 
in  the  war  of  the-  Revolution,  and,  as  he  was  in  the  habit  of  relating  to  his  (wmU, 
was  taken  prisoner  at  one  time  in  tiie  western  part  of  New- York  by  a  puriy  of  llii' 
enemy,  composed  chiefly  of  Indians,  under  the  command  of  Brant.  The  Miviijiri. 
were  disposed  to  put  him  to  death  according  to  the  exterminating  mode  of  waifiiro 
practised  in  that  section  of  the  country  by  the  combined  Iiulians  and  Tories  j  nnd 
preparations  were  making  to  that  effi  ct,  when,  having  been  partially  stripped,  Bniiil 
discovered  the  symbols  of  Freemasonry  marked  upon  the  prisoner's  arms,  winch 
led  him  to  interpose  and  save  his  life.  Mr.  Maynard  was  then  sent  a  prison.T  to 
Canada,  where,  afler  remaining  several  months,  he  was  finally  exthangcd,  nnd 
returned  home.  He  lived  to  an  advanced  a°e,  universally  re8p^ctl■d  in  Hie  Kiwii 
where  he  resided,  as  an  upright  man  and  faithful  magistrate  ;  and  was  favornlily 
known  throughout  the  county  of  Middlesex,  which  he  represented  in  the  Sentttoof 
the  commonwealth,"— ieWer  to  the  axUhor  by  George  Folsom,  EtQ. 


I806.J 


VIEW   OP   HIS   CHARACTER. 


493 


winch  now  prfwiits  of -uM,.  •  '"""'^y-  ^  Jj«  opportunity 
Yes^erdayllLti  p,  L;l7'"l  ^""'  '^  ^'^^>^  •"-^P-toZ 
Williamson,  who  had  .'17  , 1'""  '"^"'"'^"^  ^^'^'^  Captain 
he  received;  lar.J;t;r       :T:  J^^^^^^  -'ere 

IV-agara,  solicitin,.  Lis  aid  in  be^ of  rt"' 'T""''"'-^  ^'^ 
to  inquire  after  the  late  of  herson  cl»/  ''i?""^'^'"^'^-  '^^^^er, 
timate  officer,  who  issunno  odfT;  '  "'  ^"''"^r-an  unfor- 
--,  and  taken  in  th  a'^ tn  ^tV';;"'?  T" "^^  ''^^  ^^- 
-  that  no  person  would  be^or  ^  | ':'  "  J^?  ^^^^^  ^"''- 
occasion  to  make  inquiry    and     "    '  "^  """"^ '^''^y  «'i  suchan 

advantages,  to  obtain  VmucMeS^^^^  ""'^  ""'^'^  ^^"^' 
self;  and  that,  ,.«/,,///,,^„3^^,/^^^^^        infonnaf.on,  than  your 

fhe  talc  of  u^oe.  He  .aveuefrfT'^  '^•"''  ^'"'"^'^  ^'''^/^  «' 
situation  of  the  afflicted"  otie  "7^f  7''"^^  «^^o"nt  of  the 
Mr.  WHIiamson  has  acti    I  7^' ' 'f  ^^^^^^'^^'^^^  -• 

One  of  the  distin^uislnn.  1  L're   of  I       7  '^'  '''^''''■" 
sfron<r  sense  of  justice      It'w  Ik  ''  '''''"'^'''  ^^^^  ^is 

'iveofthecaptivty  Alex^  nd  u  ''''^^''''^'  i»  t^e  narra- 
"'-  Ion,  and  l^C^^^  ^  ^^7"^  ^''>->  that  during 

f ".  "i^  own  eyes  ^^  t^^^  C;!^;'^  ^^""^r,  he  saw 
'J'^-'hution  of  such  scanty  suppit  o/S'^  ^:;^^^'^^d  "^  *he 
''■•'^-udly  to  procure.     Every  pr^  olr  „"'  "''^  ^^''^  ^^^^ 

-"'  himself;  and  at  the  end'  t^r  nnr^  -^  '  ''"  ^^^- 
'7v  adroitly  he  averted  tl,e  tort  '  o  T  '  ^''  ^"^'^  ^^^" 
^I'.ch  it  was  so  customary  with  tf  ^T  v  '  ^^"""et-running, 
-i-ners.  This  same  ZJ  '  i  ,^f ""  ^^  ^"^'^^  "P-  'heS 
--duct  during  the  Indian  wfjs  oTVsT' 'O^^'  ^""'^'^  ""'' 
'"s  correspondence  connected  wifl.   „V^''"~^^' '''"d  pervaded 

subsequent  difficulties  withLtu'rcr^^-  ""'   ''^  ^^- 

iiiitis/i  Government  touching 


<■     :Fi^ 


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494 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1806. 


the  Grand  River  land  title,  and  in  all  his  negotiations  with  tlio 
State  of  New- York.  He  honestly  thought  tlie  claim  of  the 
north-westcru  Indians  to  the  Ohio  and  Muskingum  boundary 
a  just  one.  Hence  his  untiring  exertions,  year  after  year,  to 
adjust  the  diniculties  between  the  Indians  and  the  United  States 
upon  that  basis.  When  he  thought  the  Indians  claimed  too 
much,  he  opposed  them;  and  so  far  as  he  thought  them  m  the 
risjht,  he  was  ready  to  fight  for  them.  In  a  letter  to  (Jcneral 
Chapin  upon  tliis  subject,  written  in  December,  1794,  he  says : 

«  Your  letters  from  Kauandaigua  are  now  before  me.  I  have 
to  say  that  our  meetings  during  tlie  whole  of  lost  summer,  at 
all  of  which  our  thoughts  were  solely  bent  on  fixing  a  bonndii- 
jy  line,  such  as  we  thought  would  be  the  means  of  fixing  a 
"peace  on  a  solid  basis,  for  which  reason  we  pointed  out  the  line 
we  did,  well  knowing  the  justness  of  it,  and  being  certain  that 
the  whole  Indian  confederacy  would  ratify  it. 

«  I  must  regret,  as  an  individual,  to  find  that  this  boundary 
has  been  abandoned,  as  I  am  well  convinced  a  lasting  peace 
would  have  ensued  had  it  been  adopted.  I,  therefore,  ever 
have,  to  bring  about  this  desirable  end,  exerted  every  nerve, 
wishing  for  nothing  more  than  justice  between  us.  This  line, 
you  will  recollect,  was  offered  to  Governor  St.  Clair  at  Musk- 
ino-um.  Notwithstanding  the  two  successful  campaigns  of  tlw 
Indians,  I  still  adhered  to  the  same  line,  and  still  do.  Tiiis,  I 
hope,  will  satisfy  you  that  my  wish  ever  Wcis  for  peace.  The 
offer  made  was  rejected  by  Mr.  St.  Clair,  and  what  the  conse- 
quences have  been  you  well  know. 

»<,»**  You  will  recollect  that  I  differed 
even  with  my  friends,  respecting  the  boundary,*  and  to  the  two 
last  messages  that  you  then  received,  my  name  was  to  neither, 
for  the  r-ason  that  I  thought  them  [the  Indians]  too  unreason- 
able. For  this  reason  I  was  obliged  to  take  more  pains  and  trou- 
ble to  bring  the  Indians  and  you  to  an  understanding,  than  I 
was  under  any  obligation  to  do,  otherwise  than  having  our  mu- 
tual interests  in  view.  As  to  politics,  I  study  ths.  not.  My 
principle  is  founded  on  justice,  and  justice  is  all  I  wish  for, 
Never  shall  1  exert  myself  for  any  nation  or  nations,  let  their 

•  Captain  Brant  had  proposed  a  compromise  boundary  line,  of  wliidi  he  was 
here  speaking.    But  neither  the  United  States  nor  tiie  Indians  would  h«ten  to  it. 


3 


1806.J 


VIEW    OF   HIS    CHAUACTKR. 


495 

that  those  are  the  sumi,.n.n,«  ""-^ '''"''•  ^^ '"-"u  I  perceive 
si^all  be  w.uuin  on  v"'  ;  '  '''''''  '''  ^-^--'"^  --' 
standing."  "         ^  ^'^ '  "  ^'■^"-  ""''«»«  to  a  good  under- 

Jd^t^uirXer^r'^'-^V'"""^"'^''''  -^  — 

as  well  upon  tL^'^'^t  .  ;t:r  l'^  t  ^^^^-^-'^™-' 
he  was  called  to  participate  controversy  nr  which 

was  b„il.  hy  B™  ,     r  ft  „d      l '  °"f  ^^  '"  '*!*'  '-''"»*' 
the  exertions  of  Captain  li-am^W  '         '  "P°"  ''^'  '"'^J^^^  «^ 

'  "  "I'P™-  "f  Cl,m,ia,my,  ,!,„,  ,„a„y  „<■  .i,,' ^ 

"■■>.  gient  and  ,i„|»rta„t  allcmlio,,,  „„d  „f  ,|,e  present  „|e,s,n<, 

.ro»|,ect  of  snccss  in  extending  the  knowledge^,  XZ° 

a™„g  .he™,  I  am  fnlly  ,«,.„aded  the  Ial»rs  o   y„„  v"!-" 

a  le  |„..dcce.sor,  under  God,  have  been  the  canL     cl. 

:;^:  t.:rpthr--nz^:zd 

♦  Lot^tei'  to  the  aiilhor  from  Culonel  VV.  J.  Kerr 
T  M  Clure'B  Life  of  WLt-eJock. 


h   '  * 


'    i 


t 

' 

If:       ■: ' 

■  ■  ■■'• 

* 

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1  ■'*-#' 

■ 

;  ! 

'"H 

! 

!-.-- 

1 

•<1»     • 


49G 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


11806. 


As  a  warrior,  he  was  cautious,  sagacious  and  bra  re  ;  watching 
with  sleepless  vigilance  for  opportunities  of  action,  and  allowing 
neither  dangers  nor  dillicultics  to  divert  him  from  his  well-set- 
tled purposes.  His  constitution  was  hardy,  liis  capacity  of  en- 
durance great ;  his  energy  untiring,  and  his  firmness  indomita- 
ble. His  character,  in  his  social  and  domestic  relations,  has  been 
delineated  at  length,  and  needs  no  farther  illustration.  In  his 
dealings  and  business  relations  he  was  prompt,  honorable,  and 
expert ;  and,  so  far  as  the  author  has  been  able  to  obtain  infor- 
mation from  gentlemen  who  knew  him  well,  he  was  a  patlorn 
of  inteo-rity.  The  purity  of  his  private  morals  has  never  been 
questioned,  and  his  house  was  the  abode  of  kindness  ami  liospi-^ 

tality. 

His  manners  in  refined  society  havo  been  described  by  Dr. 
Miller  and  General  Porter.  Without  divesting  himself  alto- 
gether of  the  characteristic  reserve  of  his  people,  he  could, 
nevertheless,  relax  as  occasion  required,  and  contribute  his  lull 
share,  by  sprightly  and  inteUigeni  conversation,  to  the  pleas-nes 
of  general  society.  He  was  at  once  atfable  and  dignified,  avoid- 
ing frivolity  on  the  one  hand  and  stiffness  on  the  other  ;  in  one 
word,  unbending  himself  just  to  the  proper  medium  of  the  well- 
bred  gentleman.  He  has  been  described  by  some  as  eloquent  in 
his  conversation.  Others,  again,  deny  him  the  attribute  of  elo- 
quence, cither  in  public  speaking  or  in  the  social  circle;  asserting 
that  his  great  power  lay  in  his  strong,  practical  good  sense,  and 
deep  and  ready  insight  into  character.  Mr.  Thomas  Morris 
avers  that  his  sagacity  in  this  respect  exceeded  that  of  any 
other  man  with  whom  ho  has  been  acquainted.  His  tempera- 
ment was  decidedly  amiable ;  he  had  a  keen  perception  of  tlio 
ludicrous,  and  was  both  hutnorous  and  witty  himself— some 
times  brillitrnt  in  this  respect ;  and  his  conversation  was  often 
fascinating,  by  reason  of  its  playfuhiess  and  vivacity.* 

♦  As  an  illustration  of  hia  shrewdness  and  saj^acity,  the  following  anecdote  of 
Brant  has  been  communiciited  to  the  anthor  by  Professor  Griscom  :--"  When  Jc 
niima  Wilkinson,  (who  professed  to  be,  in  her  own  person,  the  Saviour  of  the  w-orid 
in  his  second  appear.nco  on  earth,)  was  residing  on  her  domain  in  western  New- 
York,  surrounded  by  hor  deluded  and  subservient  followers,  she  could  not  fail  to 
attract  the  notice  of  Colonel  Brant;  while  ihecchbrity  of  the  Chicftnin  mii«l,  in 
turn,  have  forcibly  commended  itself  to  her  ultcntion.  This  led,  of  course,  to  a 
mutual  desire  to  see  each  other,  and  Brant  at  length  presented  himself  nt  her  man 
oion,  and  requested  an  interview.     After  some  formuiity  bo  wns  ndmitied,  and  *h« 


1807.J 


VIEW   OF   niS  CHARACTKU. 


497 


The  imp  ..cable  resentments  imputed  to  the  American  Indians 
were  not  characteristic  of  him.  In  a  speech  to  a  counc  of 
M.s.ssaguas-a  clan  of  the  Hurons,  loaUed  on  the  Bay  of 
a  unte,-on  the  occasion  of  certain  grievous  personal  insu  ts  of 

'  llo^r  f"  ^^'^'r""  --P'-"<^he  remarked 

Mie  r       ;"j     ''"  ""'^  ^^''^  y°"  ^^^'«'^^  »^"=««  abuses  so  pa- 
t  entlv .      I  advise  you  to  persevere  in  your  patience  and  pru- 
dence,  never  al lown.g  yourselves  to  feel  and  exercise  revere, 
un  ,1  every  regular  step  be  taken  to  remove  them."t     In  the 
who  e  course  of  his  correspondence,  positive  hostility,  of  a  per! 
sonal  character,  seems  only  to  have  been   cherished   tow'rd 
Colond  Claus,  the  Deputy  Superintendent  General  of  the  In- 
dian Department.     The  precise  nature  of  this  difficulty   the 
author  has  not  ascertained.      It  was  connected,  however,  with 
the  pecuniary  affairs  of  the  Indians,  in  regard  to  which  Brant 
was  exonerated  from  censure  at  every  scrutiny.     Still  perfoc 
t.on  cannot  be  predicated  of  the  Mohawk  Chief  more  than  other 
men,  and  the  author  has  not  discovered  a  particle  of  evidence 
going   to   mcnlpate  the  moral  or  official  conduct  of  Colonel 
C  aus-save  that  he  appears  to  have  connived  at  theunsuccess 
fill  machinations  of  Red  Jacket  and  other  enemies  of  Brant  to 
etfect  the  chieftain's  deposition.  ' 

Like  other  men,  Brant  doubtless  had  his  faults,  but  thov  were 

redeemed  by  high  qualities  and  commanding  virtues.     He  was 

charged  with  duplicity,  and  even  treachery,  in  regard  to  the  af- 

airs  of  the  Indians  and  the  United  States,  in  connexion  with  his 

-t  .asit  to  Philadelphia.      But  the  aspersion  was  grievously 

unjust.     During  the  years  of  those  wars,  his  position  was  trying 

addressed  ,0  him  a  few  words  a,  tho  way  of  a  welcome  saluta.io..      M,.  rophed   to 
...r.,y  a  formal  speeeh  in  his  own  lang,.a.e,  at   the  cond..«ion   of       ic    T  i 
0  med  h,m  that  she  did  not  understand  the  language  in  which  he  spok        He,he„' 

addressed  her  ,„   another  Indian  dialed,   to   vvhici;  in  like  mann.l  s  "e  ol^ec    d 

Mer  a  pause  he  commenced  a  speech  in  a  third,  and  sDI  difler.nt  American      n- 
uage.  when  she  mterrnpted  hin.  by  the  expression  of  di,»sat,..c,ion  at  h     ;er  ," 

n   to  speak  to  her  .n  terms  which  she  could  net  understand.      He  a  ose  with  dil 
Uy,  and  w.,    a  s.gn  ficant  motion  of  the  i,and.  said--  Madam,  you  a  e  not ,  '  Z 
m  you  pretend  to  be.      Jesus  Christ  can  understand  one    anouara,  weira 
another-  and  abruptly  took  his  leave."    Sine,  this  strikin.;  d  ch    acTe  ist c 

u  to  Red  Jacket.      Tins  Chief,  however,  was  a  Pagan-a  disbeliever  m  Jesu« 
t  MS.  speech  among  tho  Brant  papers. 


?<f'.' 


-^21        ** 

'  ■''           J 

FT 

>  Jr.;: 

■*•• 

• 

■»•• 

• 

m 

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»««< 

> 

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l» 

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m 

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■ 

M    1        , 

I 

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l'«', 


1!*  V 


498 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1807. 


and  peculiar.  Ho  had  liis  own  ulterior  objects  to  consult  in  re- 
gard to  tlie  Indians  of  the  upper  lakes,  lie  desired  to  see  jus- 
tice done  to  them,  and  also  to  the  United  States.  And  he  like- 
wise desired  not  to  impair  his  own  influence  with  those  Indians. 
At  the  same  time  he  had  a  difficult  game  to  play,  with  the  Co- 
lonial and  Britisii  governments.  The  doubtful  relations  betwc(ni 
England  and  the  United  States  induced  the  former  to  keep  tlib 
Indians  in  a  very  unpacific  mood  toward  the  latter  for  a  series 
of  years  ;  sometimes  even  pushing  them  into  hostilities,  by 
means  and  appliances  of  which  policy  required  the  concealment, 
and  the  means  of  diplomatic  denial,  if  necessary.  At  the  same 
time,  while  Brant  was  thoroughly  loyal  to  the  King,  he  was 
nevertheless  resolved  upon  maintaining  the  unfettered  inde- 
pendence of  his  own  peculiar  nation  ;  friendly  relations  with  the 
Colonial  government  being  also  essential  to  his  desire  of  a  per- 
fect title  to  his  new  territory. 

Such  a  position  nmst  at  all  times  have  been  full  of  embarrass- 
ment and  difficulty,  and  at  some  conjunctures  could  not  have 
been  otherwise  than  deeply  perplexing.  And  yet  he  sustained 
himself  through  the  whole — proving  himself  above  the  influ- 
ence of  gold  at  Philadelphia,  and  passing  the  ordeal  without 
dishonor.  In  letters,  he  was  in  advance  of  some  of  the  Gene- 
rals against  whom  he  fought ;  and  even  of  still  greater  military 
chieftains,  who  have  flourished  before  his  day  and  since.  True, 
he  was  ambitious — and  so  was  Caesar.  He  sought  to  combine 
many  nations  under  his  own  dominion — and  so  did  Napoleon. 
He  ruled  over  barbarians — and  so  did  Peter  the  Great. 

A  few  years  before  his  death.  Captain  Brant  built  a  commo- 
dious dwelling-house,  two  stories  high,  on  a  tract  of  land  present- 
ed him  by  the  King  at  the  head  of  Lake  Ontario — directly  north 
of  the  beach  which  divides  the  lake  from  the  sheet  of  water 
known  as  Burlington  Bay.  The  situation  is  noble  and  com- 
manding, affording  a  glorious  prospect  of  that  beautiful  lake, 
with  a  ifruitful  soil  and  a  picturesque  country  around  it.  At 
this  place,  on  the  24th  of  November,  1807,  he  closed  a  life  of 
greater  and  more  uninterrupted  activity  for  the  space  of  half  a 
century,  than  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of  almost  any  other  man 
whose  name  has  been  inscribed  by  the  muse  of  history.  He 
was  a  steadfast  believer  in  the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  at  the  time  of 


lhU7.] 


lUS    DEATH. 


4«J9 


Ins  decease.     He   bore   Lis  illness,    which  was  painful,  with 
patience  and  r.-sijr„afion.     He  died  in  the  full  possession  of  his 
fHcultios,  and  according  to  the  beliet  of  his  attendants,  in  the 
•  fnll  faitli  of  the  Cliristian  rehfrion.*     His  age  was  sixty-four 
years  and  eight  months.     His  remains  were  removed  to  tlie  Mo- 
hawk Village,  on  the  Grand  River,  and  interred  by  the  side  of 
the  cinirch  which  he  had  built.     The  interests  of  his  people, 
as  they  had  been  the  paramount  object  of  his  exertions  through 
•ife,  were  uppermost  m  his  thoughts  to  the  end.     His  last  words 
that  have  been  preserved  upon  this  subject,  were  contained  in  a 
charge  to  his  adopted  nephew,  Teyoninhokfirawen  :— «  Have 
"pity  on  the  poor  Indians:  if  you  can  get  any  influence  with 
'  tne  great,  endeavor  to  do  them  all  the  good  you  can."     With 
great  justice  the  surviving  Mohawks  might  have  made  a  similar 
e.Kclaination  to  that  of  King  Joash  at  the  bed  of  the  dyino-  pro- 
phet-" My  father,  my  father,  the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  tho 
horsemen  thereof !" 

•  See  Appendix,  No.  XX. 


h. 


# 


U  iiJ 


•■••• ' 


Imt    ,    9 

p : » 


Jli 


CHAPTFR  XVI. 

Account  cf  the  family  of  Brant  subaequent  to  his  Jealli— Catharine  Brant— Tlio 
line  of  descent  among  tiio  Moha\  'ks— Jolin  Brant,  thu  youngest  son,  appointed 
to  ilieClueftainsliip— Tlie  war  of  1SI2— General  Van  Rensselaer  on  the  Ni««ara 
frontier— Preparations  for  a  descent  upon  aueenston  Hei;phl9— First  attuiiipt 
frustrated— Arrangement  t()r  a  second  movement — Arrival  ot  Lientunant-coloiiei 
Scdlt  on  the  lines— His  etfotts  to  accompany  the  expedition— Landino;  of  Colonel 
Solomun  Van  Renast-laer  and  liis  party— Intrepidity  of  the  attack— Van  Ri^nase- 
laer  and  others  <;iievoii3ly  wounded— Captain  Wool  tarries  the  Heights— Ad- 
vance of  Geiieriil  Brock— His  defeat  and  {all--Arrival  of  Lieutenant-colonel 
Scott  upon  the  Heights— Attack  of  the  Indians —General  Sheuffo  advances  from 
JSfiagara  with  reinforcements— Battle—The  Americans  driven  down  the  Hdglits 
— AUempts  of  Scott  to  capitulate— His  flag-bearers  shot  down— Determines  to 
bear  a  fla"  liimself— A  young  Indian  leaps  upon  him  like  a  tiger— His  rescue— 
Inteiview'wilh  General  Sheaffe— Capitulation— March  to  Niugara—ReiuaiUid.le 
interview  between  Scott  and  two  Indians  at  Niagara,  the  younger  of  whom  «as 
John  Brant— Base  poltroonry  of  the  militia— Battle  of  the  Beaver-dams— Close 
of  vouM"  Brant's  military  life— Removes  to  the  Brant  House  with  hn  sister— Ac- 
count ofllie  family  by  Lieutenant  Hall— Visit  of  the  British  Consul  to  theBiiuil 
House— Controversy  of  John  Brant  with  Archdeacon  Strachan— He  visits  Log- 
land  respecting  the  ancient  land-title  controversy— Succeeds  with  the  ministers— 
Disaijpointed  bv  the  Colonial  Government— Correspondence  with  Caiiiphell  re- 
BpectinT  the  memory  of  his  father— Attention  to  the  moral  wants  of  his  pcople- 
Correspoudenre  respecting  the  Mohawk  schools— Presentation  of  a  silver  cup— 
His  election  to  the  Provincial  Parli  uiii'nt- Seat  conte^ifeil- 1  >ealh  by  chol.ra— 1 1  -s 
character— Farther  notices  of  the  family— Description  of  his  Bidler,  and  ol  Ins 
successor— Death  of  Catharine  Brant— Conclusion. 

Catharine  Brant,  the  widow  of  Thayendancgea,  was 
f  )rty-eifrht  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  decease.  According  to 
tl  e  constitution  of  tlie  Mohawks,  which,  like  that  of  Great  Bri- 
tain is  unwritten,  the  inheritance  descends  through  the  female 
ime  exclusively.  Consequently  the  superior  chieftainship  does 
not  descend  to  the  eldest  male ;  but  the  eldest  female,  in  what 
may  be  called  the  royal  line,  nominates  one  of  her  sons  or  other 
descendants,  and  lie  thereby  becomes  the  chief.  If  her  choice 
does  not  fall  upon  her  own  son,  the  grandson  whom  she  invests 
with  the  office  must  be  the  childof  her  daughter.  The  widow 
of  Thayendancgea  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  the  head  chief  o; 
the  Turtle  tribe— first  in  rank  of  the  Mohawk  nation.  In 
her  o\yn  right,  therefore,  on  the  decease  of  her  husband,  she 
stood  at  tl>e  head  of  the  Iroquois  Confederacy,  alone  clothed  with 
power  to  designate  a  successor  to  the  chieftaincy.  The  official 
title  of  the  principal  chief  of  the  Six  Nations,  is  Tekarihogea  ; 
to  which  station  John,  the  fourth  and  youngest  son,  whose  In- 
dinn  name  was  AnyouwAiGH-g,  was  appointed. 


«••  • 


::::  i 


>n!i  rvi'-w  ii'.i 
John  Br»rit- 

of  \      :     •  ■'- 
etllr. 

III. 

11 


rH^FTKH  xri. 


.    ilfi    ^  ifJItn  «.m:[ji  ttjisf  II     K- 

fln^-bftftfera    hot  dowri 


...  ?■„ 


!»«.< 


1  lira  lit — C'onclu»MH>. 


('.' liiA.iiNK  Brant,   the  wW:  w  of  Thayenda 


C^rty-eight  yeara  old  at  the  ti 
tl  ft  (•oustifHtum  of  the  Moh^. 

t«in.  '"-  l':v,v.n!r.>u     fhf'  itiheriii 


the  ie; 
tier  am 
stooti  at 


v;  .■■     'is  dei'' 

superior    'liuli  ■ 

fcniale,  i 
I  ii'-r  §ons  f<:' 
lef.    Tf  hf »   ! 
Ill  whom  sh«> 
daughu  -     Tlf 
I-  of  the  hoati    ■ 
lohttv^k  iini.tm.     . 
if  her  hii    ^irid,  she 
iederacy,  ftlone  dothed  wiih 


power  to  d«>,mu,ut;  a  ,->.iocessor  u,  die  chieftaincy.  The  olTiciuI 
title  of  the  principal  chief  of  the  '>ix  Nations,  is  Tekarihogea  ; 
to  which  station  John,  the  fourth  and  youngest  son,  whose  In- 
dian name  was  Ahyouwaighs,  was  appointed. 


ir 


me 


tl        I: 


>se 


la! 
In. 


■# 


M»i  • 


Si 


l«  * 


•«,  „ 


N 


M 


1812.J 

On  tl 

establisl 
Eii.ylish 
Mrs.  IJn 
ill  Euro 
tho  doati 
the  Gnu 

27tliofS 

tliirtcoii  ] 

at  Ancusi 

Cockrol  ; 

study  oC 

socinty,  a 

server  of 

a  pluloso| 

cimriictor, 

tiirc,  his  1 

phshod  gc 

Whoa  t 

Eno;laud, 

espoused  t 

field  with 

tions  on  tl 

chivalrous 

battle  of  Q 

can  arms  I 

so  disastroi 

American  ,< 

victory  \vh 

There  w 

tlie  conduc 

an  Aniericii 

identified  w 

that  the  Iran 

moreover,  f 

the  exciliny 

form  n  chap 

tory,"  many 

to  this  day  r 


181 2.J 


BATTLE   OP   QUEENSTON. 


501 


^sm^::::::t:\:^  ^  C^e,  Thaye„danegea,  to  his  now 

Mrs  nra  r  L  ='  ""f  "'"'■""^''^  '^'^  household  accordhi.ly 

Mrs  H.aiit.  howcvcr.-the  Queen  mother  she  mi^ht  be  stvJd 

a  A„c«„r„„d  Niagara,  under  the  tuition  of'a  Mr  Ri^S 

phsluid  gontleinun,  accom- 

espoused  tho  cause  of  the  latter  and  fhp  '/-  /      •/  ' 

fi,.|,l  Hrid.   I.!  •     "'"^  "'^'*^'^)  a»a  the  AV.w<,//oo-ea  took  the 

^:^r;h^N-;::L.^,rjr?i;:;n 

chivalro.  and  his  conduct '.rava     Hirfi;:     ^ZXr 
baUle  of  duoonston-commenced  so  auspiciously  fo   th^Al  r' 
can  arms  hy  the  gaUant  and  daring  Van  RensseI.er  nn.l      i   i 
so  d..sastrously  hy  reason  of  the  co^ardicfo  t'     ;,•  ^^^  ^^ 
Amencat.  s,de,  who  refused  to  cross  the  river  and  sen,!    , 
victory  which  had  been  so  b.avely  won  "'' 

There  woreincidonts  marking  that  battle,  however  involving 
the  couduot  of  the  young  Chief,  and  conn  cted  vTth  e  I  fe  If 
-  Amer>can  officer  whose  name  from  that  day  lb  tU  s  b  en 
de  hfied  with  the  n.ilitary  glory  of  his  country,  whic  rfbrld 
that  tho  transaction  should  be  thus  s.nnmarily  dosLch  d  Aside 
moreover,  from  the  part  borne  by  John  I  J.t  in'  he  batUe  nd 
heexctmg  n^cdents  to  be  related,  sufficient  of  them^eLo 

r?-::  TfT.;''''^  ™^^'^^^^^.'  '^  --'•-^•^^  -"-  romance  ofl! 

ory,  n  any  facts  connected  with  that  singular  engagement  hove 

to  this  day  romained  unwritten.  ="^ement  nave 


''  's 


'  ii 


*>,• 


^^•>l 


T'f'.- 


'•#■ 


ill « 


K  I 


'M:f 


'.1   •   •  SI, 


502 


LIFE   OP   JOHN    BRANT. 


[1812. 


The  command  of  the  Niagara  section  of  the  Amoricnn  fron- 
tier,  durin-T  the  Autumn  of  1812,  had  been  committed  by  Gover- 
nor Tompkins  to  Major  General  Stephen  Van  Renssohior,  Uio 
senior  officer  of  the  State  Cavahy  of  New- York.     Attaclicd  to 
his  staff  was  Colonel  Soloijion  Van  Rensselaer,  an  officer  who, 
as  a  subaltern  in  the  regular  service,  had  signalized  hims(^lt'  l)y 
his' undaunted  bravery,  and  coolness  and  intrepidity  in  f'clioii, 
during  tlie  Indian  wars,  and  particularly  under  the  command  of 
General  Wayne  at  the  Miamis.     Tlie  situation  of  General  Vim 
Rensselaer  had  been  exceedingly  embarrassing  during  the  whol(! 
period  of  his  command,  or  nearly  three  months  before  the  move- 
ment  under  review.     His  selection  for  that  post  by  the  ( 'oni- 
mander-in-chief  of  New- York,  considering  the  adverse  stnlo  of 
their  political  relations,  was  deemed  an  equivocal  act  on  thejmrt 
of  the  Governor.     But,  although  opposed  to  the  policy  of  (lio 
war,  and  in  (he  possession  of  the  first  paternal  estate  in  Ameri(!ii, 
and  in  the  enjoyment  of  every  blessing  which  can  sweeten  Hii', 
Generjd  Van  Rensselaer  hesitated  not  to  comply  with  the  cull 
of  his  country,  and  took  the  field  immediately.*     After  recoil- 
noitering  the  frontier  from  Ogdensburgh  to  Lake  Erie,  ho  deter- 
mined to  establish  his  head-quarters  at  Lewiston,  on  the  Striiit 
of  Niagara.     After  the  failure  of  the  expedition  of  General  null, 
who  had  been  ingloriously  captured  with  his  army  at  Detroit, 
the  next  point  of  attack  upon  the  enemy's  country  was  obvi- 
ously the  Canadian  peninsula  at  Niagara.     But  the  season  for 
active  military  operations  had  almost  glided  away  under  tho 
tardy  levy  of  regular  troops,  and  the  uncertain  assemblages  of 
the  militia;  and  it  was  October  before  General  Van  Ren.ssolnor 
found  himself  in  force  to  warrant  offensive  operations.     His 
solicitude,  not  only  for  the  interestb  of  the  public  service  and  tlio 
honor  of  his  country,  but  for  his  own  reputation,  determined  liiiti 
to  strike  a  blow  at  the  enemy  if  possible,!  in  order  to  obtniii 
a  position  for  winter-quarters  on  the  Canada  shore.     Added  to 
wliich  was  the  manifestation  of  a  strong  and  impatient  d(!siro 
by  the  militia  to  be  led  against  the  enemy.     Tliis  desire  roso  to 
such  a  height  that  resistance   seemed  scarcely  possible,  (iiid 
patriotism  was  apparently  passing  the  limits  of  subordiniition.t 
Indeed,  the  determination  of  the  militia  was  expressed  to  the 

•  Memoirs  of  Genoral  Wilkinso  i.  t  H''')' 

X  Low's  lli-tory  of  tlio  War. 


^'^ 


1812.) 


BATTLE   OP   QUEENSTON. 


503 


must  have  oiders  to  act  against  the  eneniy  or  they  would  <ro 
o.ne.*     Nor  was  the  General  him.elf  lesj  desirou^  of      tion 
than  h..  troops  professed  to  be.     He  felt  that  the  dTs'ace  ot      e 
Amoncan   arms  at  Detroit,  at  the  openin.  of  tlie  'a^nUn 
'-•onld  onlybe.viped  away  by  a  brillLnt  dose  o     t    aX"; 

v.g  lance ;  but  „  spy,  who  hud  been  despatehed  ae  L    Iri 
l.av,„g  returned  with  the  erroneons  i..fo,rL„  t hT  h  ^^r'' 
ad  moved  in  the  dheetion  of  r>.roi.  wl  a  ,  t    di    ° til 
force,  arrangements  were  made  by  General  Van  ReLs  Iw  for 
™ssmg  the  nver  and  attacking  Q,,ee„s,o„  Heigl^L  "Irlvo"  the 
momtng  of  the  11th  of  October.     The  desi™     „1  '^ 
frustrated,  either    by  the    ignorance,  LZ^r  or  T 
treachery  of  a  boatman,  who  had  been  selected  -^the  lLi„ 
waterman  for  his  sHl,  and  steadiness.    The  ^..^p  t  fa  "tf 
e  led  by  Colonel  Solomon   Van   Kenssalaor.-.. The  co  ns 
designated  for  the  e.xpedition,  and  principally  comled  of 
mma,  assembled  punctually  „„d  in  ^ood  ordefatZIceo 

••r^anTSt'  r     "ib"'""'"""  "f '"^  weather,  wbfehw,^ 
wet  and  w  ndy,  every  thntg  wore  a  propitioas  aspect      l),,i 

oasterlystorm,  the  erabarltat.on  was  ordered  and  the  boats  call- 
'  Gmml  Vin  Ren.ieliei',  odicinl  rrpotl 


:i*;i 


$^'. 


fl 


i>  ■i-m 


•t  '■ 


;  I 


*.^ 


\y^' 


:i!> 


»*«: 


m 
m 

:i 


U 11 


t 


504 


LIFE   OP   JOHN   BRANT. 


[1812. 


«  ed  foi  none  were  found  to  be  in  readiness ;  and  on  inquiry  it 
"  was  discovered  that  the  person  having  charge  of  thcitn  had 
«  not  only  withdrawn  hiinself,  but  had  carried  with  him  all  tlio 
«  oars  necessary  for  the  service.  For  this  unexpected  occur- 
"  rence  there  was  no  remedy  but  patience  ;  the  expedition  was 
<'  accordingly  suspended,  and  the  troops  sent  back  to  their  can- 

"  tonments."* 

The  im-^atience  of  the  militia  continuing,  and  having  receiv- 
ed a  reinforcement  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  regular   troops 
under  Lieutenant-colonel  Chrystie,  the  General  determined  to 
renew  the  attempt  before  daylight  on  the  morning  cf  the  13th. 
Colonel  Van  Rensselaer  was  to  command  the  expedition  as 
before,  and  lead  the  attack  with  three  hundred  militia,  to  be  fol- 
lowed'by  Lieutenant-colonel  Chrystie  with  three  hundred  regu- 
lars.    Lieutenant-colonels  Chrystie  and  Fenwick  had  agreed 
to  waive  rank,   and  serve   under    Colonel   Van  Rensselaer. 
Lieutenant-colonel  Fenwick,  with  Major  MuUaney,  was  to  fol- 
low Chrystie  with  three  hundred  and  fifty  regular  troops  and 
some  pieces  of  artillery,  after  whom  the  greater  body  of  the 
militia  were  to  succeed  in  order.    Such  is  an  outline  of  the  dis- 
positions for  the  movement  on  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  Octo- 
ber.    Meantime  Lieutenant-colonel,  (now  Major-general  Scott) 
had  arrived  with  his   regiment  of  artillery  at  Schlosser,  two 
miles  above  the  Falls,  and  twelve  from  Lewislon,  on  the  day 
before  the  engagement.     Having  heard  from  Colonel  Stranahan, 
of  the  Otsego  militia,  whose  regiment,  stationed  at  the  Falls,  was 
on  the  move,  that  an  expedition  of  some  kind  was  contemplated 
by  General  Van  Rensselaer,  Scott,  then  young,  and  ardent  as 
he  is  now,  impatient  of  an  early  opportunity  to  meet  an  enemy, 
mounted  his  horse  and  rode  fiill  speed  to  Lewiston.     He  fortli- 
with  presented  himself  to  the  Commanding  General,  from  whom 
he  learned  the  character  of  the  enterprise  on  foot,  and  of  whom 
he  solicited  the  privilege  of  taking  a  part.     The  General  re- 
plied that  the  details  had  all  been  arranged— that  Colonel  Solo- 
mon Van  Rensselaer  was  to  have  the  commaiid,  and  that  Licti- 
tenant-colonels  Fenwick  and  Ciirystie  had  waived  their  rank, 
and  were  to  serve  un^ler  that  officer.     But  such  was  the  urgency 
of  Scott,  that  the  (Jeneral  gave  him  permission  to  accompany 

♦  Guneral  Armstrong's  Nolicea  on  the  war  of  1812. 


m  i- 


V  .  .     is 


181 2.J 


BATTLE   OP   QUEENSTON. 


606 


the  expedition  as  a  volunteer  if  hn  nic«        -j 

'n-r  at  Schlosser,  which,  although  wea  Xi      „-  ^    "^"' 
or  u  Colonel  of  mil  ti?    .  '^""'^,^'^^^'  «'^«''  '^'"^  the  command 

A.Mr,ca„s,  and  they  had  discovered  indicationTnf T 
mem  of  some  ki„d  during  ,he  las,  fe,.   *"  !„  d  v"     T^' 
narrowness  of  tjie  river  witlio„t  ,l,.      I'"'^™'"?  "-'ys-    The 

e,„y  was  rae,^„rably  prepared  for  Van  RensseiL"  Cpht 
Indeed,  a  fire  was  owned  heforp  iha  K^.f    r  ^  ,  reception. 

Other  boats  succossivelv  followprl  nnri  fV,^  i     j- 
l-rfred  and  ,hir.y-five  me'n  tZ^^c^!  Xl^iy  f  T 
m=...s  flrst  arriving  suffered  severe  7^™^!'^  t      "*" 
-PecaUy  in  .ho  loss  of  .heir  oLr  '  The'C'  S 


VOL.  II 


*  Armstrong's  Notices  of  the  Wi 


:.%..■• 


ua 


it, 
m 


506 


LIFE   OF    JOHN    BRANT. 


under  a  very  warm  fire,   climbed  the  bank,  Van  Rensselaer 
himself  leading  the  dctachmen.t,  and  vout>'d  the  enemy  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet  witiiout  firing  a  shot.     In  this  operation 
Ensi<ni  Morris  was  killed,  and  Captains  Armstrong,  IVIalconi, 
and  Wool  were  wounded,  the  latter  slightly.     Colonel  Van  Rens- 
selaer liimself  was  a  severe  sufierer,  having  received  ona  ball  m 
his  hip,  which  passed  out  at  his  spine,  two  in  his  thigh,  ()ne  of 
which  lodo-ed,  two  in  his  leg,  and  a  sixth  in  his  heel.     Lieute- 
nant-colonel Fenwick  was  also  severely  wounded,  and  Colonel 
Chrystie  slightly.     Indeed   Captain   Wool,   himself  wounded 
also,  was  now  the  senior  olHccr  fit  for  duty.     The  gallant  lead- 
er, concealing  his  wounds  under  his  great-coat  as  long  as  he 
could,  immediately  oi-    the   retreat  of  the   enemy  toward   the 
town,  ordered  Captain  Wool,  the  senior  oflicer  capable  of  duly, 
to  ascend  the  mountain  and  carry  the  battery,  giving  him  a 
direction  for  the  movement  by  which  he  wonld  avcid  the  fire  of 
the  enemy's  artillery— placing  Lieutenants  Randolph  and  Gaii- 
sevoort,  who  volunteered,  at  the  head  of  the  little  column,  and 
Major  Lush,  another  volunteer,  in  the  rear,  with  orders  to  put  to 
death  the  first  man  who  should  fall  back.*     This  enterprise  was 
gallantly  e^cecuted  by  Captain  Wool,  and  the  battery  was  car- 
ried "  without  nuich  resistance."'!   Colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  how- 
ever, unable  longer  to  sustain   himself,  M\  to  the  ground  soon 
after  the  party  had  filed  off  before  him  ;  but  he  did  not  lose  his 
consciousness,  and  the  pains  of  his  wounds  were  soon  alleviat- 
ed by  the  shouts  of  victory. 

Meantime,  the  most  intense  anxiety  was  felt  on  the  American 
shore  to  learn  the  result  of  the  daring  attempt;  arJ  befon;  it 
was  well  light,  the  painful  intelligenco  was  received  that  the 
crallant  leader  had  fallen,  covered  with  wounds.  And  upon  the 
heels  of  that  unpleasam  news,  the  report  came  that  Colonel  Fca- 
wick  had  also  fallen,  dangerously  wounded.  Had  Scott  been  in 
the  field,  Fenwick  would  have  ranked  him,  being  the  oldest  m 
commiss'ion.  Chrystie  was  younger  in  rank  than  Scott ;  but 
while  the  latter  was  again  urging  to  be  sent  across,  Chrystie 

♦  Wilkinson's  Memoirs.  .       ,      .   .. 

+  Report  of  Cartain  Wool.  The  ofTicors  engaged  in  storming  the  battery  were 
C.ptainB  Wool  and  Oailvie;  Lir-i.tenants  Kearney,  lluginen,  Carr,  and  Sammons 
of  the  13th  rpgiment ;  Lieutenants  Gansevoott  and  Randolph  of  Uie  light  arlilkrv. 
and  Major  Lush  of  tho  militia. 


1812.J 


BATTLE   OP   ftUEENSTON. 


507 


himse]f  appeared  at  General  Van  llonsselaer-s  marquee    havinc. 

to tr  ': f f ' T''^ " ^'"^ '^^'"^-  «-"  --  n  -  •Si 

to     e  po.   he  had  been  seeking,,  and  was  immedialely  gra  fi  d 

but  wh  le  hese  arranjroments  were  concerting  on  tlie  American 
.  de  a,.d  he(ore  L.entenant-colonel  Scott  had  arrived  at  d^  s 
of  con,  another  important  act  m  the  changing  drama  of  tirdav 
had  been  performed.     The  landing  of  the  Imlrican    had  bin 
opposed  by  the  Hght  company  of  tl^e  49th  regin^^f  g  ^     ^ 

of  Indians.      The  hght  troops  had  been  dislodged  by  the  Ameri- 

t^ui.       1  ho  fortress  on  the  heights,  carried  bv  Captain  Wool 
vas.naoned  by  a  detachment  of  the  grenadiers;  the  whole  nnm- 
bermg,  as  was  snpposed..  one  hnndred  and  sixty'regnlars.      X 
he,.hts  havn.g  been  cleared  of  th.  enemy,  who  retired  npon  tl  e 
v.llageofaueenston,  the  Americans  were  allowod  to  repos    . 
short  t.me  npon  their  lanrels.     But  the  respite  was  brief'    Ge! 
neral  Broclc  being  at  Niagara  when  the  action  commenced,  was 
startled  fron.  h.s  p.lio^v   by  the  roar  of  the  artillery;  but  s ' 
rap,d  were  h.s  movements,  that  he  arrived  at  Queenston  «;« 
the  grey  of  the  mornnig  iiad  passed,  accompanied  by  his  Pro 
vmcial  a.d-de-camp,  Lieutenant-colonel  McDonell.t'     Placin- 
hnnself  nnmediately  at  the  head  of  four  companies  of  his  fo! 
vor.te  49th  grenadiers  and  a  body  of  militia,  General  Brock  ad 
vanced  for  the  purpose  of  turning  the  left  of  the  American,  and 
rocovenng  the  ground  that  had  been  lost.     A  detaclnnent  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  directed  by  Captain  Wool  to  take  posses 
s.on  of  the  heights  above  the  battery,  and  hold  General  Bmck  in 
check,  was  compelled  to  retreat  by  superior  numbers.  An  eno-a^e 
ment  ensued,  in  the  course  of  which,  after  some  fightincT  ihe 
Americans  were  driven  to  the  edge  of  the  bank.      Wuh'^areat 
exertions,  Captain  Wool   brought' his  men  to  a  stand,  and  di- 
rected a  charge  immediately  on  the  exhaustion  of  his  ammuni 
t'on.    This  order  was  executed,  though  with  some  confusion 
It  was,  nevertheless,  effectual,  and  the  enemy  in  turn  were  driven 
to  tne  verge  of  the  heights,  where  Colonel  McDonell,  havino- his 
horse  shot  under  him,  fell,  himself  mortally  wounded.5    In*  the 

♦  Chrystie's  account  of  llie  Canadian  War. 

f  mMnmr.  Me.noir3.       t  Chrystie.       §  Captain  Wool's  official  Report 


I'D       '    * 


V        ■*!?  ' 


M'i 


*l  • 


« 


!l.l 


s| 

IP- 

! 

1 

tt'ii 

"h 

■s 

1 

508 


LIFE   OP   JOHN   BRANT. 


[1812. 


■■n 

vS 


moantime  Geneviil  Brock,  in  attempting  to  rally  his  forces,  re- 
ceived a  inusket  ball  in  his  breast,  and  died  almost  immediately. 
Tlie  last  words  he  uttered  as  he  fell  from  his  horse,  were,  "  Push 
on  the  brave  York  Volunteers."*  The  enemy  thereupon  dispers- 
ed in  every  direction  ;t  and  Captain  Wool,receiviii£r  at  that  time 
a  small  remforcement  of  riflemen  from  tlie  American  side,  set 
about  forming  a  linn  on  the  heights,  fronting  the  village,  de- 
taching flanking  parties,  and  making  such  other  dispositions  as 
were  first  prompted  by  the  exigencies  of  the  occasion. 

It  was  at  this  point  of  time,  being  yet  early  in  the  morning, 
that  Lioutonant-colonel  Scott  arrived  on  the  heights,  where  he 
found  the  troops,  both  regulars  and  volunteers,  in  considerable 
disorder.  He  immediately  announced  his  name  and  rank,  and 
assuming  the  command,  with  the  assistance  of  his  adjutant,  an 
oflicer  of  great  activity  and  intelligence,  brought  them  into  line. 
On  counting  his  men,  he  Ibund  that  of  regular  troops  there  were 
three  hiuidr>-*1  and  fifty  rank  luid  file,  all  told,  and  two  hundred 
and  fifty  seven  volunteers,  under  General  Wads  worth  and 
Colonel  Stranahan,  the  former  of  whom  at  once  waived  his  rank 
in  favor  of  Scott.  Just  before  Scott  had  arrived  upon  the  ground, 
Captain  Wool  had  ordered  Lieutenants  Gansevoort  and  Randolph, 
with  a  detachment  of  artillery,  to  drill  out  the  eighteen  pounder 
heretofore  spoken  of  as  having  been  taken  from  the  enemy,  at  a 
point  some  distance  below  the  crest  of  the  heiglits,  but  wliich 
had  been  spiked  before  its  capture.  Hearing  of  the  circum- 
stance, and  being  told  that  the  gun  had  been  spiked  only  with 
a  ramrod,  Scott  hurried  away  in  person  to  direct  the  process  at 
extracting  this  impediment  to  its  use.  He  was  not  long  absent, 
and  on  reascending  the  heights,  great  was  his  astonishment  to 
find  a  cloud  of  Indians  in  the  act  of  rushing  upon  his  line, 
tomahawk  in  hand,  while  his  troops  were  breaking,  and  evidently 
on  the  point  of  a  general  flight.  The  Indians  bore  down 
fiercely,  and  were,  some  of  them,  within  ten  paces  of  his  men, 
when  he  gained  his  place  just  in  season  to  prevent  total  disor- 
der, and  bring  them  to  the  right  about,  facing  the  enemy,  upon 
whom  they  were  turning  their  backs.  All  this  was  but  the 
ivork  of  a  moment.  The  Indians,  finding  this  sudden  change 
in  the  mode  of  their  reception,  recoiled ;  and  after  a  sharp  en- 


■  •  -a 


Chrvstler. 


t  Captain  Wool. 


1J12.] 


BATTLi:    OP   QUEENSTON. 


«09 

gagement,   were   compelled   to  retrP',t       nv    ■    , 

dauntless  youth,  of  sarprisi."  a    "  '      ?''"V'''"  ^""  ' 

and  or  the  Httle^or     ss"h^^^^^^^  of  the  heights, 

-"nJist„rbed  by  the  JnZ    rn    '"'^7' f^''"'"?  several  hours 

waitingfor  reinLe^^f'      .rXtl'"  ^"^"IJ''  '''^  -^ 
miles  below.     n,„  ,|,„,.  ,  ""'f^"  "'  Newark,  six 

-rio,,s,ye„,„,ed,V;i  eel  :r,;™dnwn,^  "'"  '"  "'»""  ""=" 

«3  already  remarked,  X,nr„,™ '    °t  '"""  "'"^  ™"'<'.  o"'' ■ 
-vod  hy  Colonel  8  o, ,    JI  ™    ^'"''-    '"  "'-  <>"™  "I' 
"icd  by  a  dark,  stalwart'cl.icf  S,X  oT'  "'""'"'  "<^™'>P» 
wa»  s„l,se,„en,ly  known  a,  cC.  t    '  ™/°"T  ""'"'"'•  "''" 
Ihat  these  ,wo  Ir.dians  in  pLtic   t  -  '""^ discovert 

m.-.rkofSeoH,who  liklXfir.  """l'''r^'""y  ""'l-i""-'" 
Load  abo.e  hi  sold  er    a  d  w  "'"*  """'"='■  '"^  »  f"" 

spicuous  objee.  by  a  nlw  :Lt  ™.  ^  r  "  ^f  "'"=  '""- 
Piume in  ,,is  ha.  The  conduc  of  hrt?  i:^"  '°'l  """^ 
been  partienlarly  observed  by  an  officer  a  -  .T  "'    '"""« 

ly  sen.  ,0  Seoit  upon  the  subJM   w  I,  h   '  *'"'  ""■^"'°'- 

visinj  the  Colonel  o  put  it  on     bJT^    °"  '"""'°'"'  "d- 
and  the  Indians,  havi,  ,  „ke„  reft  "  n  a t^'T  ™  *'^"""''  ■ 

wirtriwrt-""""^^^^^^^^^^ 

enenry-s  .r'^Z  tor^ZT'r^TZ^  T"^  "^'"^ 

aa,,cralSheaire,thes.,cce.sso°rofG™era  Zr  ™"'  "^  "^^ 
co.eredadvanein.i„  the  distance  f^Nif:™'  ^  "'""  "f 
lliongh  slow  and  eirenmsnect  was  1J^,1„a  "PProach, 

«edo..hree.nndrerd^^:;t:„X'1.:t^^^^^^^^ 
*  General  Armstrong's  JNotices. 


«^|C      l^'"* 


41'    ,- 


if  >;  M    ' 


'I'T*'^ 


■■^#- 


■?»*■ 


s 


1^ 

FiT^ 

tin. 

•  ' 

^' 

• 

'iV'- 

n 

«,<, 

*!*** 

> 

***• 

nt 

*«»» 

•'  ' 

a:: 

f 

iji 

• 

i 

.  >  ^ 

H 

610 


LIFE    OP   JOHN    nRANT. 


[isia, 


veral  companies  of  iiiililiu,  and  two  hundivd  and  iifty  Indians. 
Reinforcenuuits,  both  ol"  troops  and  Indians,  arriving  from  Chip- 
pewa,  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  augmented  to  eight  hnndred.* 
Major-Gcneral  Van  Rensselaer,  liaving  crossed  the  river  Lcfore 
he  made  this  discovery,  hastened  back  to  his  own  canij),  to  make 
another  appeal  to  the  miUtia  to  ( loss  over  to  tlie  rescue  of  the 
little  band  of  their  own  countrymen,  now  in  such  imminent 
peril.  But  in  vain.  Not  a  man  could  overcome  his  constitu- 
tional scruples  about  crossing  the  CDulini's  of  his  own  country; 
and  for  more  than  two  hours  the  troops  and  volunteers  upon 
the  lieio-hts  were  allowed  to  behold  an  advancing  enemy,  in 
numbers  sufficient  to  overwhelm  them,  while  by  looking  over 
their  right  shoulders  they  couJd  see  an  army  of  American  mili- 
tia, abundantly  sufficient  to  defeat  the  approaching  column,  and 
maintain  the  victories  of  the  morning. t  The  marcli  of  General 
Siieaffe  was  protracted  by  an  extensive  detour  to  the  west,  beyond 
the  forest  heretofore  spoken  of  as  having  bet^n  a  shelter  to  tlio 
Indians.  Scott  and  his  officers,  in  consideration  of  their  own 
diminished  numbers,  marvelled  greatly  at  this  fatiguing  measure 
of  precaution  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  but  were  afterward  in- 
formed by  the  officers  into  whose  hands  they  fell,  that  the  enemy 
had  no  idea  that  the  dimirutive  force  they  saw  upon  the  heights 
constituted  the  whole  of  the  army  they  were  marching  to  en- 
counter. 

During  the  breathing-time  thus  enjoyed  by  the  Americans,  and 
prolonged  by  the  extreme  caution  of  the  enemy,  a  note  from  Gene- 
ral Van  Rensselaer  was  received  by  General  Wadsworth,  inform- 
ing him  of  the  facts  heretofore  stated  respecting  the  cowardice  of 
the  militia,  and  advising  a  retreat.  The  General  stated  that  net 
a  company  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  cross  the  river ;  that  he 

♦  This  is  the  estimate  of  the  Canadian  historian,  Robert  Chrystie.  Colonel 
Chryslie  of  the  American  forces,  in  his  estimate,  staled  the  force  of  Sheaffe  at  from 
four  to  five  hundred  regulars,  with  four  pieces  of  artilUiry,  from  five  to  six  hundred 

militia,  and  three  hundred  Indians. 

t  "Neither  entreaty  nor  threats,  neither  arguments  nor  ridicule,  avaded  any 
thin".  They  had  seen  enough  of  war  to  satisfy  them  that  it  made  no  part  of  their 
gpecTal  callin"  ;  and  at  last,  not  disdaining  to  employ  the  mask  invented  hy  fac 
tion  to  cover  cowardice  or  treason,  fifteen  hundred  able-bodied  men,  well  armed  and 
equipped,  who  a  week  before  boasted  largely  cf  patriotism  and  prowess,  were  now 
found  openly  pleading  constitutional  scruples  in  justification  of  disol.edienee  to  the 
lawful  authority  of  their  chief."- Genera/  Jlrmstronfs  J^Mccs  of  the  War. 


1812.] 


BATTLE    OF   QUEENSTOX. 


Ml 


had  himsolf  soon  tl.e  moremonts  of  tho  enemv,  and  lcnc^v  that 
they  Nvere  too  powerful  to  be   resisted  hv  tho  I  .n  If.       7 
"Pon  the  heights;  a„d  that  ho  wonld  ellll^o  ^t  is^'br 

and  h..s  omcors,  to  govern  themselves  according  to  circnmst^cls 
under  their  own  more  ininiodiate  view      A  eons.,!  '  rT 

omcers  ..  innnediately  held  ;  hnt  nothnit  ^  ^  d     C 
Meanume  the  enemy  continued  to  approach,  hut  vnth  f  'Z" 
.shed  c.rcnmspe,..tion-«manceuverin.  fron.  ri^ht  to  left  .nd 
"from  left  lo  right,  and  conntermarchincr  noaHv    L    \    , 

Cell  r     ,?    h  "'  '"?  /"  '"^'^^  ^"'"•'^^'^  ^'™*''''^r  with 

ever     loot  of  the  po.mon  before  he  hazarded  an  attack  "* 

This  dehberafon  gave  tune  for  renewed  councils  on  th    p  rt  of 

he  American  officers.     A  retreat,  however,  was  consid  red  hone 

less    whereupon  Colonel  Scnti  I if»...  n  >-""»'ULreu  nope- 

;;  ..,>on  a  e„„„e.a  ,.,<,,  ,ha„  rTol"'::;',  ^-i^^o  f  J'^ 
■  co„mry,„en  .f  surviving  „  succcssr„l  o„o.»    Auna^™" 
shout  of  approval  answered  llje  stirrin..  ann,..,l     ih  "°™"""  " 

■nUuiavo,„,,.ers,w,,ohaac„„n„„e;^i,rr!;rl„4;Tir 
Indeed,  ,„o-,,gh  u.experienced,  .herew^L  W    m;'''°''°"- 
.he  field  .han  Wadswor.l,  and  S.ran^hL  t    Th    Br^:!    ad' 
vaneed  steadily  in  colnran,  reserving  iheir  lire  as  did  Ta 
cans,  exeeptin,  ,he  single  piceeof  Irtillerr^Their  p'stsTon" 

•  General  ArmstronaN  Nolicrs  of  tl.e  War 
T  Thfi  late  Colonel  Furrand  RlniiKihan   of  Tr^nnn    f 
.nd  Colonel  Stranahan  have  boU,  si^rdlLld   '^''"'°""-    ^""'''  ^'''^-^°^* 


i  ilf 


I   nl 


i 

IK  I 

s  » 


612 


LIPK    OF   JOHN    UUANT. 


[1812. 


:i^" 


somewhat  nccelcralixl  tlio  rotreat  of  tho  Americnns,  On  ronch- 
iii'^  tho  water's  cdu[e  not  n  boat  whs  at  conjniund  ;  and  to  avoid 
the  galUng  fire  of  the  pursuers,  Scott  drew  his  men  farther  U|> 
the  river,  to  olitaiu  .shelter  beneath  tho  more  precipitous,  and,  in 
fact,  beetling  clitfs. 

Escape  was  now  irnpossiWe,  and  to  fight  longer  was  not  only 
useless  but  madness.  After  a  brief  consultation  with  Gihscjii 
and  Totten,  therefore,  (the  latter  officer  having  returinid  to  the 
field  in  the  afternoon,)  a  capitulation  was  determined  upon.  A 
flag  was  accordingly  sent,  witli  a  proposition.  \fter  wait- 
ing for  somT  time  witliout  any  tidings,  another  was  sent, 
and  afterward  yet  another — neither  of  which  returned  ;  and  it 
subsequently  appeared  that  the  bearers  had  l)een  snciessivoly 
shot  down  by  the  hidians.  Scott  thereupon  determined  to  go  with 
tlie  fliig  himself  But  while  j)rcparingto  execute  his  hazardous 
purpose,  his  attention  was  attracted  by  two  of  his  men,  who 
were  deliberately  strippin<r  themselves  to  the  skin.  On  inquir- 
hig  their  motive,  they  replied  that  they  might  as  well  drown  iis 
be  hanged,  as  they  were  sure  to  be  if  taken,  since  they  acknow. 
ledged  themselves  to  be  deserters  from  the  ranks  of  the  enemy. 
Saying  which  they  plunged  into  the  d.irk  torrent  flowing  madly 
along  in  its  mighty  eddies  and  whirlpools.  It  wa.s  a  fearful 
leap,  but  both  succeeded  in  reaching  the  American  shore  in 
safety,  and  the  Colonel  afterward  saw  and  conversed  with  thorn. 

But  to  resume.  Colonel  Scott  having  determined  to  bear  tl?n 
fourth  flag  himself,  Totten's  cravat  was  taken  from  benoati) 
his  stock  for  that  purpose.  Totten  and  Gibson  both  resolved 
to  accompany  their  commander,  who,  being  the  tallest,  bore  the 
handkerchief  upon  the  point  of  his  sword.  Keeping  close  to 
the  water's  edge,  and  sheltering  themselves  as  well  as  tlicy 
could  behind  the  rocks,  the  Indians  continually  firing  in  the 
meantime,  they  passed  down  until  the  bank  offorded  no  fnrtlier 
protection,  when  they  turned  to  the  left  to  take  the  road.  Hut 
just  as  they  were  gaining  it,  up  rose  the  two  Indians  who  had 
been  aiming  at  Scott  in  the  morning — the  young  and  agile  chief, 
and  the  more  tnuscular  Captain  Jacobs — who  both  sprang  upou 
them  like  tigers  from  their  lairs.  Scott  remonstrated,  and  made 
known  the  character  in  which  he  was  seeking  the  British  com- 
mander, but  to  no  purpose.  Th(;  Indians  grappled  with  thorn 
fiercely,  and  Jacobs  succeeded  in  wrenching  the  sword  from  the 


1812.J 


BATTM.;    OF   m-|.;i:X8T0N. 


513 


Colonolshaml.     Th..  l>l«do.s  of  Toftm  nml   ri 

leaped  from  thoir  scabl.irds   and  r  r  "  '"''"""j^ 

I'atohets  when  a  Bril    ..v  .     '"""  '"'"'■"  '""^''-^  ''"^^^r 

i-n.  tho  combatants  wer; Xv:  J1,  j  Col /\'T^'  "'" 
conducted  to  the  nrpspn,.,.  «r  X  , '  ^'''""'''   ^C""  v/as 

^»cd  „  s^rJ^'ZZl  wZ"  *°'t-  '"  "T  ""  "'"- 
spi'edily  arranircdlth,.  (■«,,      ,  '       "^  <^»Pitiil»lioii  weio 

I.-  .rcL  wiS .,  0  „^,:  :r:i:"^:,™/''^'  '"""""^^ '" 

give,,  m„.tholiri„,r,|,„r°,?    ,        r  •  """""""Jiali'ly 

|.ro...p..V  obeyed,  w',.:'"  1  '",  '  e''  L'  "^'Vt"  7T  ""' 
Scott,  and  flnallva  npm..,,,.  '"*'**'''  '''"m  Colonel 

to  his  troops  'rlis  nroloT  .T  ™"'  '"  ""'  ^""^'"'^'-'  ^ack 
General  S  .eaffe  dmS T  T  '"'"  '"  '"'^'''>"^'  -''«- 
exceedingly  evL^rS   .  H  "         ""'  ''""■'^''  ''  '^^'V  ^^'^ 

of  such  a  chirc  i;    j;  "  H  "'' >  '"  """'  "'"  '^""^'^  ''"'^'« 

a.ia.rections,tC^;e^;*-XSrrt^^'^^^^ 
The  prisoners  surrendered  hv  Sonff  „      •       , 

.™d  .i,i,..y.„i.,e  re.,,,„.tCLroi  ;;;r ::;  rr 

v  ^verc  all  inarcucd  down  (o  Nf,tr;^tr  /.,       -vf 
tliesame  evonm.r,  wi.er,.  the  (uZ       V^       ' ''"  '^'"-'"^0 

o™„i„.  J  di„:'::^.  or  '•r;;!.  '"■;':!  r-""""-  "-'■  «■« 
"■'""-  -"-  — ^i  e.-:trpiir  „s::::r  s 

and  knew  that  the  number  Z.  llL7Zt1^'''*^Tl  '"''"'"^  '''-^  ""'^  '"-• 
■hauhe  nu^he.  he  h.d  announced    Jb^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  "'   '"'"•  /'-^"^  -1'"^'^ 

confidence  in  the  accuracy  ouhe  statement  ,?f  '"  '",'"'  ""''  ''"  '''"  '"^""S 
to  .he  barrack,  and  JeforhMu^T"'^"'^^^^^  Scott  ,o  g^ 

found  that  ,he  statement  of  the  general  order  va"  Iru^e' 'o'" '"''  -"^"fi-^-'ion 
•he  d.screpancyjtappeared  that  the  number  of „riL„^,■^  ..  ""  '"''•'^"^'"'0"  of 
amount  by  several  hundred  cuwardlvT     I     .  I  ""^ ''^'"  '^■°"''"  '°  «hat 

'hoCnadian  shore,  had  ava  .^  Je.^ :  ^^   d    r"'"'  '1'"'  "''"'  '""'''"^- 

h.de,hemsc.ve.awayamon,Mheclens  :  ,  the:;.?  "h'7  '""'"^^'  '» 
ronoenlment  during  fhe  day  and  wPr^nnir^^'^''^^  '""'  'en'a'ned  i„ 


..%■ 


614 


LtFE    OF   JOHN    BRANT. 


[1812. 


11 


ItHll^l, 


*'«»%, 
....r 


!*«!i«l<l 


lino-  than  the  scene  with  the  two  Indians  by  the  road-side.  Just 
at  twilight,  a  little  girl  entered  the  parlor,  with  a  message 
that  somebody  in  tlie  hall  desired  to  see  the  "tall  officer." 
Colonel  Scott  thereupon  stepped  out  of  the  parlor,  unarmed,  of 
course,  into  the  hall,  which  was  dark  and  narrow,  and  withal 
incommoded  by  a  stairway  ;  but  what  was  his  astonishment  ou 
again  meeting,  face  to  face,  his  evil  genmses,  the  brawny  Cap- 
tain Jacobs  and  the  light-limbed  chief!  The  Colonel  had  shut 
the  door  behind  him  as  he  left  the  parlor ;  but  there  was  a 
sentinel  standing  at  the  outer  door,  who  had  improperly  allowed 
the  Indians  to  pass  in.  The  dusky  visitors  stepped  up  to  the 
Colonel  witliout  ceremony,  and  the  younger,  who  alone  spoke 
Entrlish,  made  a  brief  inquiry  as  to  the  number  of  balls  which 
had  cut  through  his  clothes,  intimating  astonishment  that  they 
had  both  been  firing  at  him  almost  the  whole  day,  without 
effect.  But  while  the  young  Indian^  was  thus  speaking,  or 
rather  beginning  thus  to  speak — for  such,  subsequently,  seemed 
to  be  the  import  of  what  he  meant  to  say — Jacobs,  rudely  seizing 
tiie  Colonel  by  the  arm,  attempted  to  whirl  him  round,  exclaim- 
inir  in  broken  English,  "  Me  shoot  so  often,  me  sure  to  have  hit 
somewhere."  "  Hands  off,  you  scoundrel,"  cried  Scott,  indig- 
nant at  such  freedom  with  his  person,  and  adding  a  scornlul  ex- 
pression reflecting  upon  the  Indiun's  skill  as  a  marksman,  as  he 
flung  him  from  him. 

The  Indians  drew  instantly  both  dirk  and  tomahawk,  when, 
with  the  rapidity  of  lightning,  Scolt,  vhohad  fortunately  espied 
a  number  of  swords  standing  ai  the  end  of  the  passage,  seized  one 
from  its  iron  slieath,  and  placed  himself  in  a  posture  of  defence 
asrainst  the  menacing  Indians.  As  they  stood  in  this  picturesque 
attitude,  Scott  with  his  sword  ready  to  strike,  and  (he  Indians  with 
their  tomahawks  and  dirks  in  the  air,  frowning  defiance  upon 
each  other,-  .)oth  parties  awaiting  tlie  first  blow,— Colonel  Cof- 
fin, who  had  been  sent  with  a  guard  to  conduct  Scott  to  the 
General's  q-nrters  to  dinner,  sprang  into  the  passage,  and  cried 
"  Hold  !"  Comprehending  at  a  glance  the  dangerous  position  ot 
Scott,  he  interfered  at  once,  by  sharp  remonstrance,  and  also 
l)y  weapon,  in  hi.  lefence.  Jacobs,  exasperated,  turned  upon 
Colonel  Coffin,  and,  u  laring  a  menace,  his  companion  also 
unguardedly  turned  to  observe  the  issue  of  the  new  combat 
The  scene  was  of  the  most  exciting  and  earnest  character.    The 


1     ' 


'f' 


.    I 


A,  i 


1812.] 


BATTLE    OP   aUEENSTON. 


615 


I  Mil  you  !      ,'5cott  instant  y  ra  sed  his  sihro    ,,rJ,;^i. 

their  arnis  luid  rctimH      T-i...  ^rt-  ,      ,        "^^^^^y  ciropp(3cl 

'    fiiiu  icrirca.      ihe  ofticer  wiio  thus  came  to  tlio  ro« 

w'^^  w.  th.  yonn,  .ui.^z:jz^-::sz  sr 

and  bruv,  y  throngh  the  day, ..  the  reader  wiU     Idv    .ve 
ant.cipal..l  the  narne-Jou.  iJa..T-the  snccesso       Z  ^ 
-.pta...h-.s  father,  who,  as   has  already  been  stated    thoC^ 

|n  e,|i,..n  years  of  age,  had  that  day,  for  the  firsUu^^^S 
I's  tnhe  „pon  the  war-path.  Beyond  doubt  it  was  no  mrt 
oftho  young  Chief's  design  to  infliet  injury  upon  tie  .,^0 
Ainencan  oom.nander.  His  whole  character  fUids  he  dea 
for  he  was  as  generous  .nd  benevolent  in  his  feelings  as  he  was' 
brave.  Havu,g  been  exhausting  much  ammunitio^  l^Z 
C  0  oi  j„,„  ,,,,  day,  this  visit  was  one  of  curiosity,  t'>  aseer! 
^    lunv  new  they  had  co.ne  to  the  accomplishment  o  their  ob- 

c  .     L,la,  f  assius,  the  Indian  bears  anger  as  the  flint  does  fire 
though  not  always  cold  again  so  soon.     It  was  the  same  wifh 
Scott     Neither  would  allow  of  personal  freldom-t  ^Co 
did  .ot  fuly  comprehend  the  object  of  their  visit,  and  a  s,X 
rencon tro.  that  had  well  nigh  proved  fatal,  was  Mi  conseqn  ,     " 

In  the  «.tcce.stve  battles  fought  on  that  hardly-contested  fron- 

tl.e  wor  of  ,1,0  Amrri. In  Rn„      ,        r  • ''""  "  '"''  "' '''"  'Commencement  ot" 

Whilothon       ln.rr  ^^:"'""°"'''^'"g  «•"»»  '»«  wldowdmothor  at  Boston. 

hi-,.,  an.! , ^         l;-,!  I      ^il   7  """r"'"'  "^  ^'""" ''"^^^^  "'"P^'-'^-V  ^or 

em,n„i„„,  nn.l  ,1  ,  .IlJ,!    ,  m  "'^•"'''^'t"  '^''  '""•■    ^''S''^^  him  a  military 

forluma^fa  .   "oloZlh    """''  '7^''--^ -'">"--""«  and  promotion 

lur  an  promOllon  can  be  (ifaiUfH]  hv  niir"K=-«=  in  jl      D    ••  i. 

t.-jaireo  oj  piirvhaac  in  tliu  Bnush service.    His 


it-     -''   ^i* 

I*     'f'-r 


*  1 


i 

1       ^f^                             ! 

•.     ! 


iw 


.iW 


m 
mi' 

Hi'*  r 


*t' 


Z: 


p.' a 


4*    0 


516 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    BRANT. 


[1813, 


tier  dnrino;  the  years  1813  niid  1814,  young  Brant,  as  the  liidiim 
leader,  sustained  himself  with  great  credit,  as  well  for  his  bnivcry 
as  lor  his  intelligence  and  activity.  In  the  course  of  tiieoxlnior- 
dinary  campaign  cf  1813,  commenced  so  brilliantly  l()r  tiid 
American  arms  at  York,  and  followed  up  in  the  same  spirit  mid 
with  the  same  success  at  Fort  George,  (Niagara,)  and  yet  nlleiid- 
ed  wirh  such  surprising  disasters  as  the  capture  by  ths  cm- 
my  of  Generals  Chandler  and  AVinder,  and  tlie  surrender  of 
Colonel  Boerstler  at  the  Beaver  Dams,  young  Braut  had  several 
opportunities  of  distinguishing  himself.  He  was  in  the  nllnir  of 
Fort  George,  under  G-  neral  Vincent,  when  that  fortress  wa?  ho 
gallantly  carried  by  the  American  troops  under  the  imiuediui! 
command  of  Major-general  I^cwis. 

After  Vincent  retired  into  the  interior,  with  a  view  of  taking 
up  a  position  at  Burlington  Heights,  and  after  the  disaster  of 
Winder  and  Chandler  at  Forty  Mile  Creek,  Colonel  Bocrsll.T 
was  pushed  forward  with  six  hundred  men  of  ah  arms— (h'lt- 
goons,  artillery  and  infantry — to  dislodge  a  strong  picquet  of  ilii; 
enemy  posted  in  a  stone  house  about  two  miles  beyond  a  hilly 
pass  called  the  Beaver  Dams,  seventeen  miles  from  l'"ort 
George.*  Arriving  at  the  Beaver  Dams,  Colonel  Bfiorstler  w.is 
surprised  by  a  large  body  of  Indians  imder  the  conduct  of  yoini},' 
Brant  and  Captain  William  J.  Kerr,  numbering  about  four  iiiiii- 
dred  and  fifty  warriors.  The  battle  was  maintained  for  about 
three  hours — the  Indians,  of  course,  fighting  after  their  own 
fashirm,  in  concealment — having  apparently  surrounded  Colonel 
Boerstler  in  the  woods,  [ndeed,  the  enemy  nmst  have  conducted 
the  battle  with  lomarkable  adroitness ;  for  Colonel  Bnnslkir, 
galled  upon  all  sides,  dared  neither  to  advance  nor  retreat,  wlnl;! 
the  result  of  every  observation  was  a  conviction  that  h(!  was 
surrounded  by  far  sujierior  numbers.  At  length  Lieutenuiit 
Fitzgihhons,  of  (he  49th  enemy's  regiment,  arriving  on  llio 
ground  with  forty-six  rank  and  file,  sent  a  flag  to  Colonel  Bcurstt- 

Bijbarqiiont  promotion  to  the  rank  of  Major-ncneral  had  been  acquired  Uy  imrviwi, 
The  breaking  out  of  the  war  had  found  him  stationed  in  Canada.  He  IohI  no  liitio 
in  staling  his  ri'luctance  to  serve  against  hif  own  countrymen,  and  Boiieited  ii  Inillli- 
f(3r  to  Boine  otlier  country.  But  his  request  had  not  been  coniphcd  with  at  liiu  liniii 
of  the  events  now  under  review.  For  his  exphiit  in  capturing  Scott  and  hiu  lilll* 
band  at  Clucenston  Heights,  he  was  created  a  Bironet 
*  General  Armstrong. 


i.MW|j^-ii"||i^ij|iaiji|i'|| 


1814.J 


BEAVER-DAMS— lUNDy's    LANE. 


517 

ler,  demanding  a  surrender.     After  some  parlevinc.--,ne  British 
lieutenant  m.-,.nilyin.  the  nnmber  of  then-  troon^and  pre      d 
ng  to  conduct  the  negottation  in  the  name  of  MaJ    De  Ha  e^^^ 

r.m^s^  ^^^  "^"T''  ^"^^^^^^^"^  touching  !i:i::Ss 

" i;    to     r    irr?"    '''""^  ^""^''^^'  havi^  neither  re. 

erve  to  su.tam,  nor  demonstration  to  ihvor  him  t  surrenr] Pri 

his  detachment  as  prisoners  of  war     Thi.  h.u  '"™-ed 

9IH1  ^r  T  1         "^'»i^i  wMr.      1  Ills  battle  occurred  on  the 

;^4th  o    June,  and  was  a  brilHant  afTaiUbr  yonno-  Braru^  nl 
It  was  foDo- It  Kir  tv,^  T,  J-         .  j^'-'^^o  uicuji.,  smce 

expe'  ded  bv  th^  "'^""'  "'°"^^'  "«^  ^  '^'S^^  ^''^r'^ridge  heino- 

expended  by  the  regular  troops  of  the  enemy  J 

.IUhr.M ''  ''!!''T'''''  ^"""'^  ^^^"^  participated  in  dmost 
a    the  slarmishes  that  took  plac-^  ot.  the  Niagam  frontier  X 

Niagara     and    n  the  summer  of  1814  he  was  enc.ao-ed  in  the 
m  morable  battles  of  Chippewa,  Lundy's  Lane,  and  Fort  Ede 
h.le  that  post  was  invested  by  the  British  fore  s.     In "l   th  se 

f  i^r:;;;; «;  i  r"^"  ^^'^^  -t'  ^^  ^  -'--"^  ^^^^ 

aifordtng  promise  to  ail  who  mnrked  liis  prowess,  of  becoJ^  n. 
a  very  distinguished  warrior.  becoming 

At  tJie  close  of  the  war,  having  attained  the  age  of  manhood 
John  Brant  and  Ins  youthful  sister  Elizabeth,  the  vollst  of 
h.s  father^  iamily,  returned  to  the  head  of  L^ke  Om  wf  and 
took  up  their  residence  in  the  "  Brant  IIonse"-livi  K^Tr;  the 
English  style,  and  dispensmg  the  anci.nt  hospitaliti  ^o^h^ 
father  Lieutenant  Francis  Hull,  of  the  British  service  vvho 
rave  led  m  the  United  States  and  Canada  in  1816,  vis Sd  he 
Bran   House,  and  saw  the  old  ludy  Chieftainess  at  that  plat 

•  Cf.ry9tiL.'8  Elistory  of  the  Wnr  in  Canadu. 

+  General  Armstrong's  "Nnticcs." 

I  Letter  to  the  author  from  Colonel  Wilham  T  K",.  r      ti  ■ 
t>.e  -^>iect  of..,  controversy  at  thlZ  :::^;S     ;  .i    ni::^  "^r'^^" 
-an  accounts  fir.t  puh-ished,  stated  that  Ba^r.n.r  J^^M^  Jl"      r^ 
r^Stilar  troops  and  one  hundred  Ind^un,     C„lo„Pi  R       ,,"" ''  ''^  '^'"'  '"'"''"'J 


■>,• 


4  ^ 


^;-!. 


M  m 
Mm 


1^; 


«>i»ii 
»».«,, 


E9'<h  < 


'1 


kii'iS. 


;i     i 

11, 


518 


I.U'K    OP   JOHN    BRANT. 


[1816. 


He  also  speaks  hig-lily  of  the  youthful  Chief,  John,  as  "a  fine 
"young  man,  of  gentlemanlike  appearance,  who  used  the  Eiig- 
"lish  language  agreeably  and  correctly,  dressing  in  the  English 
"  fashion,  excepting  only  the  moccasins  of  his  Indian  habit." — 
Lieutenant  Hall  also  visited  the  Mohawk  village  on  the  Grand 
River,  where  Elizabeth  happened  at  that  time  to  be,  and  of 
whom  he  gives  an  interesting  account  in  his  notice  of  the  Brant 
family,  their  situation,  4nd  the  people  as  he  found  them.  Speak- 
ing of  Thayendanegea,  this  intelligent  traveller  remarks: — 
"  Brant,  like  Clovis,  and  many  of  the  early  Anglo-Saxon  and 
"  Danish  Christians,  contrived  to  unite  much  religious  zcj 
"  with  the  practices  of  natural  ferocity.  His  grave  is  to  be  seen 
"  unde'-  the  walls  of  his  church.  I  have  mentioned  one  of  his 
"sons:  he  has  also  a  daughter  living,  who  would  not  disgrace 
"  the  circles  of  European  fashion  :  her  face  and  person  are  fine 
"  and  graceful :  slie  speaks  English  not  only  correctly,  but  elc- 
"fjantly;  and  has,  botli  in  her  speech  and  manners,  a  softness 
"approaching  to  oriental  languor.  She  retains  so  mucli  of  her 
"native  dress  as  to  identify  her  with  her  people,  over  whom  she 
"  affects  no  superiority,  but  seems  pleased  to  preserve  all  the  ties 
"  and  duties  of  relationship.  She  held  the  infant  of  one  of  her 
"  relations  at  the  font,  on  the  Sunday  of  my  visit  to  the  church. 
"  The  usual  churcli  and  baptismal  service  was  performed  by  a 
"  Doctor  Aaron,  an  Indian,  and  an  assistant  priest ;  the  congre- 
"  gation  consisted  of  sixty  or  seventy  persons,  male  and  female. 
"  Many  of  the  young  men  were  dressed  in  the  English  foshion, 
"but  several  of  the  old  warriors  came  with  their  blankets  fold- 
"  ed  over  them  like  the  drapery  of  a  statue  ;  and  in  this  dress, 
"  with  a  step  and  mien  of  quiet  energy,  more  forcibly  reminded 
"  me  of  the  ancient  Romans  than  some  other  inhabitants  of  this 
"continent  who  have  laid  claim  to  the  resemblance.  Some  ol 
"  them  wore  large  silver  crosses,  medals,  and  trinkets  on  theii 
"  arms  and  breasts  ;  and  a  few  had  bandeaus,  ornamented  with 
"  feathers.  Dr.  Aaron,  a  grey-headed  Moh;iwk,  had  touched 
"liis  cheeks  and  forehead  with  a  few  spots  of  vermilion,  in 
"  honor  of  Sunday.  He  wore  a  surplice,  and  preached  ;  but  his 
"  delivery  was  monotonous  and  unimpas&ioned.  Indian  elo- 
"quence  decays  with  the  peculiar  state  of  society  to  which  it 
"  owed  its  energy.'"* 

♦  Hall's  Travels,  pp.  135,  136. 


■  ■—"^■'liWBri^SSHHB 


I819.J 


VISIT    OF    Mil.    BUCHANAN, 


5]9 

Ca,l  '    "'  P"''  "^  New- York,  n.udo  the  tou    of  Unner 

Canada,  accompaiued  by  two  of  his  daucrluors      Tn  fl,n        ^ 
of  h  s  iouriifw  Mr    n     i  uaiigiu(,rs.     in  tfie  course 

whin  ^  Cnchaaan   visited  the  Brant  House    of 

otiier  things  I  inquired  of  the  landlord  if  ho  i  ^  '  ,  ' '^ 
to  Miss  Brant's  house,  and  J^f^^aZul^T 
t-ntyn.lles  farther.  He  added,,  that  ^o'ni  mV  I^"  t  "d 
passed  that  way  in  the  forenoon,  and  would,  no^dou;  be  retu;::^ 

Niagara,  a'sho.  distance  abov^  ^  e^ itlT'  Hi?  "'"?  "''""  '^-  '""■"-'^"- 
extensive,  highly  cultivated,  and  imdo  ,t  S  l'  tas  JT  i"^  i""'  ="""''^  "■^- 
washed  bv  t'no   a.icht-  strenm  .h„n  l    ■  '  '"'''' ""^  *  'andscape  gardener— 

bounded  ;„  the  other  oft  .1"  ;tZ7?'l  ""''' "^'^^  """--'""•  «"'' 
turbulent  waters.  Mrs.  Clu  krwa'  a  1  dvof  n  ,  f  '  '"™'^'"'  ''"''  '"''^'  »'"'  "''d 
mind  and  manners,  and  of  sinZ  aid  f  '  "^P'"""^^'' "'"'''''''y '^""'^"f'^^d 

two  or  three  years  Jince;  andTle  ter"  ,1  e  "h  7"  T'^"  "^'^  '"'■"'-'  "'-' 
of  Brant  Hou.e,  received  whl  t^  e  p  .^ ;  ";';™":  V'^^'f^^'  ?"'"^'  ^^•'• 
nouncod  her  decease,  on  the  2d  of  mLI  .8,7  a  ^''^"'T,"  ^°'  ""'  ^'''''  ''"" 
September  preceding  her  decease,  en  "  led  by  he^  7  ^"'.'"  '"  ^'""'  '" 

not  aoon  be  forgotten.-.4„</,„r.  °  ^        «-Icquence  and  vivacity,  wdj 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    nRANT. 


[1819 


inf?  in  the  evening,  and  that  if  I  wished  it,  he  ."onld  u  -  »vn  thi; 
look-out  for  him.  This  I  desired  the  landlord  to  do,  as  it  -vould 
enable  me  to  intimate  our  introduction  to  liis  sister,  and  inten- 
tion of  waitinof  on  her  the  w^xi  raornin<r. 

"At  dusk  Mr.  Brant  returned,  and  being  introduced  into  onr 
room,  we  weve  unable  to  distiny'iish  his  c'-inpKjxioii.  and  con- 
versed with  him,  believing  him  to  be  a  young  Canadian  gentle 
man.  Wo  did  not,  iiowever,  tail  to  observe  a  certain  degree  of 
hesitant),,  -uid  resei'TO  in  the  manner  of  his  speech.  He  cer- 
tainly expressed  a  wisli  that  we  would  do  his  sister  and  liim- 
seif  the  favor  of  spending  a  few  days  with  them,  in  order  to 
refresh  ourseivoi  and  our  horses  ;  but  we  thought  hi^  style  more 
laconic  than  hospitable.  Before  candles  were  brouglit  in,  our 
new  friend  departed,  leaving  us  still  in  error  as  to  his  nation. 

"  By  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  resumed  our  journey. 
Oil  arriving  at  the  magnificent  shores  of  Lake  Ontario,  the 
driver  of  our  carriage  pointed  out,  at  the  distance  of  five  miles, 
the  house  of  Miss  Brant,  which  had  a  very  noble  and  com 
manding  aspect ;  and  we  anticipated  much  pleasure  in  oar  visit ; 
as  besides  the  enjoyment  of  so  beautiful  a  spot,  we  should  be 
enabled  to  form  a  competent  idea  of  Canadian  manners  and  style 
of  living.  Young  Mr.  Brant,  it  appeared,  unaware  that  with  our 
carriage  we  could  liave  rea(3lied  his  house  so  soon,  had  not 
arrived  before  us  ;  so  that  our  approach  was  not  announced, 
and  we  drove  up  to  the  door  under  the  full  persuasion  that  the 
family  would  be  apprised  of  our  coming.  The  cuter  door,  lead- 
ing to  a  spacious  hall,  was  open.  We  entered,  and  remained  a 
few  minutes,  when,  seeing  no  person  about,  we  proceeded  into 
the  parlor,  which,  like  the  hall,  was  for  the  moment  unoccupied. 
We  therefore  had  an  opportunity  of  looking  about  us  at  oiir 
eisiire.  It  was  a  room  well  furnished,  with  a  carpet,  pier  and 
chimney  glasses,  mahogany  tables,  fiishionable  chairs,  a  '^uitar, 
a  rieaf.  hanging  book-case,  in  which,  among  other  vo  ■,  ve. 
perceived  a  Church  of  England  Prayer  Book,  tran;  •>  .xi  into 
the  Mohawk  ton<'",  Having  sent  our  note  oi  .o'lr*.. 'ition  in 
by  the  coachman,  .--.A  still  no  person  waiting  -n  us,  we  began 
to  suspect  (more  especially  in  the  hunjrry  state  we  were  in,)  that 
some  delay  or  difficulty  about  breakfast  stood  in  the  ".va  ,■  of  the 
yoimg  lady's  appearance.  lean  assure  my  readers  t(,i>«  i  keen 
morning's  ride  on  the  shores  of  an  American  lake,  "   rn  exer- 


1819.J 


VISIT   OP   MR.    BUCHANAN. 


521 

Mie  pamry,  when,  to  our  unspJil  "  '"  *'"■      °' 

•ive  and  p.r.Iyi,,  ,„e  E„^l   hc2 1  T  ^  '' '"  "'°  ""■ 
oil  tl,„  l,oad  ma  silk  „e,    b,    ,l!  "°''  ''""^  >™'=»n"ned 

in?  dmss  of  black-  silk,  was  a  pe,  ico"  „f  d!^  '°  "'  '"°"'- 

color,  vwncl,  .ached  Jery  litU^  oT,  tec  ™  T:T°!  "';' 
...gs  and  k,d  shons  wero,  life  .he  .-es.  o  h"  d'ess  b  „  '  t" 
Riacc  and  dignity  of  her  movement,  the  suHc  JL    ?       ™? 

so  .ont.:  I'y  ::;j; ;:,":  ™™:  - «'-  -".".""-nace  mode 

apparent  on  acconn,  „f  ,„„  d„,a,  i  ^onJl^^, ''"'  ;'  «» 
•."?«nd  f„ss.makin.,  no  rnnnin.  Fn  f^^^  '^^  ,e  *"'" 
s.ons  of  rejrret,  snch  as  "O!  dear  n^-    Ir.d    '  I  J''""- 

oominy,  y„„  wo,„d  not  havelo  ,  1,  ii"""'','  C'  >'""^ 
Perfect  ease  she  „,ai,„„i„ed  con™,  ,To,  '  T'  ""'  ""^ 
in?  a  man's  hat  l,roii.,l,r  i„  ,  '^•"  °"'  """'  a  squaw,  wear- 
fist      ,1   ,  ,  ,     ?         "  ""y  '"'"'  preparations  for  break 

discovered,  arose  from  the  des  re  of  o,  r  if  7' '™  '"'"™"' 

With  ho,  rolls  Which  were  ac.:;::i;Lrd':urw:3;^r 

Indkm       ^  '"""  '°  '"'  '''=I««'=d  in  the  house  of  an 

^ermmed.  m  the  event  of  hpir  n  T '"  ^"^  '"'  ^"^  '^•'^'^  ^e- 

it  vPf  1 1    /"^^J^"*°*  their  pressing  their  invitation,  to  accent 

frarf;^f7cr^r"^r:S-£ 

I  afterward    earned    it  is  nnt  <>,„        »         ^  "^  •  '       '  ^ 

Indian  to  repeat  a  1 1^  1  '  '"''"'"  '^  '"^  uncorrupts. 

vol..  \T      34"       ''  ''"''  '^J^*^^'^'^-    '^h«y  believe  tha 


^  '* 


•*V 


It'. 


¥■■  I 


522 


LIFE    OF  JOHN    BRANT. 


[1819. 


II' f 


"•,1, 


Ill*  III 


those  to  whom  they  offer  any  mark  of  friendship,  and  who  give 
a  reason  for  refusing  it,  do  so  in  perfect  sincerity,  and  theit  it 
would  be  rudeness  to  require  them  to  alter  their  determination 
or  break  their  word.  And  as  the  Indian  never  makes  a  show 
of  civility  but  wlien  prompted  by  a  genuine  feeling,  so  he  tliinks 
others  are  actuat(id  l)y  similar  candor.  1  really  feel  ashamed 
when  I  consider  how  severe  a  rebuke  this  carries  with  it  to  us 
wlio  boast  of  civilization,  but  who  are  so  much  carried  away  by 
the  "general  insincerity  of  expression  pervading  all  ranks,  tluit 
few  indeed  are  to  be  foimd  who  speak  just  what  they  wish  or 
know.  This  duplicity  is  the  effect  of  what  is  termed  a  high 
state  of  refinement.  We  are  taught  so  to  conduct  our  language, 
that  others  cannot  discover  our  real  views  or  intentions.  The 
Indians  are  not  only  free  from  this  dcceitfulness,  but  surpass  us 
in  another  instance  of  good-breeding  and  decorum,  namely,  ot 
never  interrupting  those  who  converse  with  them  until  they 
have  done  speaking ;  and  then  they  reply  in  the  hope  of  not 
being  themselves  interrupted.  This  was  perfectly  exemplilied 
by  Miss  Brant  and  her  brother;  and  I  hope  the  lesson  my 
daughters  were  so  forcibly  taught  by  the  natural  politeness  of 
their  hostess,  will  never  be  Ibrgotten  by  them,  and  that  1  also 
may  profit  by  the  example. 

"After  stopping  a  few  hours  with  these  interesting  your^g  In- 
dians, and  giving  them  an  invitation  to  pay  us  a  visit  at  New- 
York  which  they  Expressed  great  desire  to  fulfil,,  and  which  I 
therefore  confidently  anticipated,  we  took  our  leave  widi  real 
regret  on  all  sides.  As  we  passed  through  the  hall,  I  expected 
to'see  some  Indian  instruments  of  war  or  the  chase  ;  but  per- 
ceiving the  walls  were  bare  of  these  customary  ornaments,  1 
asked  Mr.  Brant  where  were  the  trophies  that  belonged  to  liis 
family  ?  He  told  me,  and  I  record  it  with  sliame,  that  the  nume- 
rous visiters  that  from  time  to  time  called  on  him,  had  expressed 
their  desire  so  strongly  for  these  trophies,  that  one  by  on"  he 
had  given  all  away^  and  now  he  was  exempt  from  these  socri^ 
fices  by  not  having  any  thing  of  the  kind  left.  He  seemed, 
nevertheless,  to  cherish  with  fondness  the  memory  of  these  relics 
of  his  forefathers.  How  ill  did  the  civilized  visiters  requite  the 
hospitality  they  experienced  under  the  roof  whose  doors  stand 
open  to  shelter  and  feed  all  who  enter ! 
«'  As  all  about  our  young  hostess  is  interesting,  I  will  add 


1819.J 


VIXDICATION   OF    his    FATHER. 


52J 


some  n.rthor   particulars.     Ifavin.  in,uired  for    her    mother 

■r.ed  be.n^  m  the  wigwarns,  and  disapproved,  i.^.  cerr  h," 
<^S^I^oi  herandhor  brotluu-  John's  conLmin:  o  nC  " 
the  habits  nnd  costinnes  of  the  Eno-Hsii  " 

St,'l!-r  V^'"',"'  '•"'P'"'"  °^  ^he"^present   work,  the  Bev.  Dr 
>SteuM,t  formerly  a  m.ss.onary  in  the  Mohawlc  Valley,  and  su" 
-luently  Archdeacon  of  the  Episcopal  church  of  Uppe   Canad  ' 
vas  several  tunes  referred  to  as  authority  for  a  variety  of  na 
.cnlars  m  the  early  life  of  the  elder  Brant.     The  s^hes  of 
1..S  hie  thus  referred  to,  were  in  fact  written  by  the  pretm    ono 
rable   and    venerable   Archdeacon    Strachan,  of  Toronto  f  on 
.,nversa„onswnh  Dr.  8towart,  and  publish.;!  in  the  C  ^i^^ 
Ileco  der,  a   Ku,gston,  m  ISll).     There  were  portions  of  tllse 
s  etches  winch  gave  oflence  to  the  f-nnily  of  Thavendan    "a 
-d  Ins  s>n  and  successor  entered  upon  the  vindiJauon  oH  s 
father's  character  with  great  spirit.     Dr.  Strachan  had  used  a 
unfortunate  epithet  in  reference  to  the  old  Chief,  and  virtuallv 
charged  him  with  having  been  engaged  in  the  Lloody  affi  i   I'f 
Wyommg;  accused  him  of  having  entertained  designs     o   ile 
to  the  interests  of  the  crown;  of  wavering  tovalty;  T^nd  Si 
h.s  death  of  inten^perance.     These  and  other  mlt'ters,  co  W 
ed  in  he  before-mentioned  skel.hes,  tending  seriously  to  de tr    t 
from  the  respect  previously  entertained  for  the  memory  of  the 
father,  were  repelled  with  vigorous  and  virtuous  indignation  by 
the  son  in  the  course  of  a  correspondence  with  the^Reverend 
Archdeacon ;  and  were  it  not  for  the  circumstance  that  the  matter 
was  in  the  end  satisfactorily  adjusted,  son.e  extracts  from  th  s 
correspondence  might  here  be  presented,  by  way  of  exhibiting 
the  tact  and  talent  with  which  a  Mohawk  Lief'could  man "f 
a  controversy  in  the  field  of  letters.     The  offensive  statemems 
in  he  sketches  of  the  rhristian  Recorder  were  clearly   h"v„ 
to  have  arisen  from  irn  .„  as  and  misrepresentations ;  and  in  the 
course  of  the  expUu,  aions  that  ensued,  the  conduct  of  the 
Archdeacon  "was  most  honorable."* 

The  difficulties  between  the  Mohawks  and  the  Provincial 
Government,  respecting  the  title  to  the  lands  of  the  former, 

•  Letter  o.'  William  Johnson  Kerr  to  the  author 


::.i^ 


F 

.^^ 

11 1 

1. 

i  1* 

« 

Hit 

• 

1 

« 

> 

»^- 

• 

ii. 

"|: 

f. 

"In  It 

I 

t 

i 


531 


•Lli-r    OK   juWN   BRANT. 


[1821. 


wliich  the  eldci  ih  ,int  Imd  so  long  labortid,  Imt  in  vain,  to  adjui^t, 
yet  coiilinniii';"  unsettled,  in  the  year  ISJil  John  lirant,  alias 
Aliyouwa  glis,  w:is  connuissioned  to  proceed  to  England,  as 
liis  father  had  been  before  hitn,  to  make  one  more  appeal  to  the 
justice  and  magnanimity  of  the  pn      ,.  .nent.     Ue  nrgeu 

his  clnin  with  ability,  and  enlisted  in  the  cause  ot  his  people 
men  of  high  rank  and  influence.  Among  these  was  the  Diiko 
of  N'oithumberland,  the  son  of  the  old  Duke — the  Lord  Percy 
of  tlv;  American  Revolution,  and  the  friend  of  his  father,  who 
nad  deceased  in  1817.  The  Duke,  like  his  father,  had  been 
adopted  iis  a  warrior  of  the  Mohawks  under  the  aboriginal  cog- 
nomen of  Teijoiihighkon ;  and  he  now  manifested  as  much 
zeal  and  friendship  for  the  Mohawks,  in  the  controversy  which 
had  carried  .lohn  lirant  to  England,  as  tlie  old  Duke  had  doiio 
for  Thayendancgea  twenty  years  belore.  The  young  cliiet 
likewise  found  an  active  and  c'liciei.t  friend  in  Saxe  Bannister. 
Esq.,  a  gentleman  bred  both  to  the  navy  and  the  law,  who  hau 
resided  for  a  time  in  U|)per  Canada.  Mr.  Bannister  espoused 
the  cause  of  the  Indians  with  laudable  zeal,  and  wrote  several 
papers  for  the  consideration  of  the  ministers  in  their  behalf.* 
The  result  was,  that  before  leaving  England  in  1822,  the  ageni 
received  a  promise  from  the  .Secretary  of  the  (Jolonies,  l,orfl 
Bathurst,  that  Iiis  complaints  should  be  redr.ssed  to  his  entire 
satisfaction.  Instruction'^  to  that  el  ict  were  actually  transmit 
tod  to  the  Coloniu)  GoverMnent,  th,  a  administ'Tcd  by  Sir  Pere 
grine  Maitland,  and  Ahyouwacghs  returned  to  liis  conntry  and 
constituents  with  the  well-earned  character  of  a  successful 
diplomatist. 

But  the  just  expectations  of  the  Chief  and  his  peopb  were 
again  thwarted  by  the  provincial  autb  ities.  The  reiiisal  ot 
the  local  government  to  carry  it. to  eiii  ct  the  instructions  froi.i 
the  ministers  of  the  crown,  ♦,!.  et-  -  ts  wh.ch  they  advanced, 
and  the  subterfuges  to  which  /  r^  rted  as  excuses  for  their 
conduct,  were  communicated  b_v  die  clnef  to  his  friend  the  Duke 
of  Northumberland,  by  letter,  in  June,  1823.  He  aLs>.  wrote 
simultaneously  to  Mr,  Bannister  upon  the  subject.  Acoi.  - 
spondence  of  some  length  ensued  between  the  Chief  and  those 
gentlemen,  and  repeated  efforts  were  made  to  compass  a  saus- 

♦  Mr.  Bannister  afterward  ticld  an  appointmrnt  in  New  Soutli  Wales,  and  sub- 
•equently  still  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  colony  of  Sierra  Leone,  wlicie  he  died. 


1821.J 


THOMAS    CAMPBKLL. 


525 


as  .hey  „  J  bee,;',',.";,';:,:;!;:;:!::"  °^  "■""--'•"' » "-  -^ 

mi.S'1:  "..dlet'l'T"  '""  '"'"'""■  "'»  y"""^  Chief  deter. 

'I-.  h  d  ™  :'"'■;:',;;"' "" '":'"'  '■'°"'  "■"  -i--™ 

'I-  l«n  puhlil,,ed  Sn  "tears    ■''t:  ,5-  '?""';"•""»" 
character  of  that  d,.h.rl„f,.  ,  '''J""'  "'"'  S™cral 

'cense  Mr.  CarnphoII  had  not  onl,  descr    ed  th     v  ,.'   '      ' 
little  if  any  inferior        .ho  '"l»''l"tants  as   being 

-nts,to  tL  5:;;:'  ,^'  ,:t:d"i:;r""'^'''  ^"'  ^"^-^^ 

ianocent,ffav    .  id  hmnu   1      T         !        '"  «"'«m"»ity  thus 

™...e'Sf>'i4';T.:-ttrrr^^^^^ 

..»..  purport-t.  f„r.„  T  "t:  i   T^,,  ^:  "J';™'- 
hero  of  I      tale  an  n.i,.l,i.,   nu-  r     ,    ''.   i''''''''"  oi  an  indian 

"  But  tl,.s>Bn«ul.e.i„u."_h,.  started  up. 
And  smote  his  heart  with  woe-donouncing  hand- 
ThKs  „„o  tune  to  (ill  th«  joyous  cup, 

"Will.  .>lli.;    1       ,','"•'"''>— """nonst.T  Brant.— 
With  dll  hiH  howluig,  desolatin.'  ha  ul  — 

Theso  eyes  have  .soe„  th.-ir  hia.l,,  ,,nd  b,.,„i„„  „i„^ 

Awake  at  once,  and  silence  half  your  land.  "  ^ 

Red  ,s  the  cup  they  drink-butni  with  w  no- 
"  Awako,  and  watch  to-night  t  or  see  no  morlgshinel 

••Scor„in|to  wi  !d  the  hatchet  for  his  tribe, 

Ga.n.t  Brant  hunseif  I  w.nt  to  buttle  Tor  h: 
JAccur.,pdBr«nt!  helefl„f„||n,y,ri.a 

No!  not  the  dog  that  watch'd  my  household  hearth 

All  pensh'd-I  alone  an,  left  on  earth  • 

To  whom  nor  rektive,  nor  blood  nmains. 

No  !-not  a  kindred  drop  that  run,  in  human  veins  !" 

This  paraphrase  of  the  celebrated  snoerh   nf  T . 
n-tcal,  „.  the  w,„,  t,™  the  on.i„„,__r  ilr^Xro'S 


^         ' 


1 

JWM| 

id 

!    • 
.11    • 


"I 
4*1 


626 


LIFi;   01'   JOHN    nUANT. 


[I82-.. 


Lsj"* " 


^k:^ 

^H 

r ,! 

^^^^^^^^■^**  «  w 

V 

^^^^B*'^  *  « 

^H!'^-^' 

■HK"-"'- 

^^Kf.;^ 

^^P^ :  1 

^^^^Km4     .     >« 

^■^^-^ 

^^^B 

i 

assortin<f  positively  tlmt  IJmiit  was  tho  Iiidiun  leader  nt  Wyo. 
niiiiir,  utid  |)rovin<r  'us  cool-blooded  ferocity  by  citing  tlio  anec- 
dote Iroiii  Weld's  'I'lavcls,  quoted,  l(>r  denial,  as  a  jiote  on  a  pre- 
cedinjj;  pai^e.  Joliii  IJrant  bad  previously  prejjared  liiuisell'  Willi 
documents  to  sustain  a  demand  upon  tbe  poet  for  justice  to  tbo 
memory  of  liis  fatber;  and  in  December,  ISlil,  liis  friend  Han- 
nister  waited  upon  Mr.  (,'ampbell,  with  an  amicable  message, 
opeiiintr  tbe  door  for  explanations.  A  correspondence!  eusucd, 
only  a  portion  of  wbicli  lias  been  preserved  amon<>-  tbn  pa|  ers  ot 
Jobn  Ikant ;  but  in  a  note  of  the  latter  to  tbe  poet,  diited  tbe  28tli 
of  December,  tbe  youn<,'  cbief  thanked  liim  for  tbe  candid  manner 
in  wbieb  be  bad  receiv(.'d  bis  reipu^st  conveyed  by  Mr.  IJannister. 
Tbe  documents  with  wbich  tbe  Cbief  bad  fiiriiisbed  himself 
for  the  occasion,  were  thereupon  enclosed  to  3lr.  Camp.bell,  and 
tho  result  was  a  long  explanatory  letter  Irom  the  poet,  wbicli 
has  been  very  generally  re-publisbcd.  Candor,  however,  must 
admit  that  that  letter  does  but  very  partial  and  (widen tly  reluc- 
tant justice  to  tbe  calumniated  warrior.  It  is,  moreover,  less 
magnanimous,  and  characterised  by  more  of  special  pleading, 
than  might  have  liecn  expected.*  In  adchtioii  to  this,  it  appears, 
by  a  communication  from  tbo  young  chief  to  Sir  John  Johnson, 
dated  January  22,  1822,  that  Mr.  Campbell  had  not  only  ex- 
pressed his  regret  "at  tbe  injustice  done  the  character  of  Ins 
father,  but  had  promised  a  correction  in  the  next  edition-theii 
soon  to  be  published.  This  correction,  however,  was  not  made, 
as  it  should  have  been,  in  tbe  text,  but  in  a  note  to  the  sul)so- 
quent  edition  ;  andaUhougb,  at  tlic  close  of  that  note,  Mr.  Caiup- 
bell  says,  for  reasons  given,  that  "  the  name  of  Brant  remains  in 
his  poem  only  as  a  pure  and  declared  character  of  fiction,"  yet  it 
is  not  a  fictitious  historical  character,  and  cannot  be  made  siuli 
by  an  effort  of  tbe  imagination.  The  original  wrong,  tberefdio, 
though  mitigated,  has  not  been  fnlly  redressed,  for  the  simple 
reason  that  it  is  the  poem  that  lives  in  tlie  memory,  while  the 
note,  even  if  read,  makes  little  impression,  and  is  soon  Ibr- 
gotten.1 

•  See  close  of  the  Appendix. ' 

t  The  note  referred  to,  is  as  follows: — "I  took  the  chnr.irtcr  of  Brant  in  the  poem 
•"of  Gertrude  from  the  common  iiistnries  of  England,   nl;       wliich  rcprrscniod  liim 
•'as  a  bloody  and  bad  man,  (ovm  nmonn;  s.wngci',)  and  ciiii  I"  a.cnt  in  llii'  lin- 
"  desolation  of  Wyoming.     Some  years  after  this  poem  appeared,  the  son  of  Brant, 


m^J 


t.i  --TT1— n,gji^ijjBpi^,,_ 


1822.J 


VISIT   TO   KNULANiJ. 


niirii!?  his  so,o„n,  in  Loi„lo„,  ,|,o  yonn-d.iof  soom.  ,o  I, 

Soao  y ;  «„d  ,,  ,„,  ,,,„.y  „„.,„.  ^,,^  ^^^^  ^n  fed.  ol 

Royal  College  of  l>|,y,si,,ians  a.ui  Siu-reons      n  T        k  . 

".t;Tcst  or  curiosity,  .Jlnch  aUracU    ^  ^.t^    ^j;  ^  Tl  1 

bei^;;- J        '«"-'%-'^tryKs  not  vory  ilatterin,  to  Untish 

'i  S  M.  P.  party,  to  heara  liltlc  niusic.     Thcve  were  t\vc.ntv 
n^h.dp -one  only  pretty-.  Cas^^^^^^^ 

V  oltn  player  in  Europe,  and  8olly,  cele(,rate,l  lor  the  .,  it 'r  .^ 
pu.no     I^et  a  gentlenmn  well  .cqt.uuted  will     uv  'i^^^^^^^^^ 
formerly  of  the  Queen's  Rangers."  ^       '^''~ 

But  his  attention  to  other  imtters  did  not  lead  him  tn  r       . 
^-'Inessof  the  moral  wants  of  his  people      T  1        T       ^'^'' 
United  States  and  Great  l^ritJi  J ru^^rincipar::.  "oTwK  T 
^vas  m  the  vicinity  of  the  Moha;ks'  tL  o  y  h  d  h-u  ! 

nnhoppyeirect  upon  their  social  condition.  T^it^r^t^  T 
neglected,  their  buildings  had  suffered  from  th^  ' 

also  had  tho.r  church  and  scho^s      it  i    I  1        """"I  '""'"'  '' 
ai^or  the  decease  of  Thayend^ljea  Jn^  ^  i^ 

y;^.n.B..t,  on  his  return  to  Ca:::;.;t:"t^^^^^^ 

the  schools  among  his  nation.    For  this  purpose  h;  proceed 

"  .ny  «en.,  of  honor  and   us.icc  „      i.  In  tr't;:    ^  TTT.     ""^  "'''''''''  '" 

"  -~y.  U.  then  .f..rr.  1  to  doZ  „  t  "h  "'"T'/,"*"' ':"'  °"  "'^  ''''"'^^'» 
'■c..n,mon  u.counts  of  Brant's  cruelt  eT  ar  W  "'       '^'  ''"''^'"^  ""'  "'"'  "-e 

"  of  .rav,.I.,  and  in  Adolph  '  n.  il  ^T'''^  Z""''  '  '""^  ''"""''  '"  '«>°'^« 
"an.  „.a,  in  point  of  f^Xr:t:'^T;:Z:^t:''  -- ^r.™  ; 
•    ♦     *     •    ♦     .<i„„.,.r(„i,    I     .       .u     ,       P™^"* '"*"'»*  scene  of  desoafion." 

".lecl-reJ  characer  o    Sn  ^  «™";.   herefoa.  ren,ai,.  in  ,„y  po.,.,  ,  p„,e  and 

and  tlK.n  desiring  that  .Cud  re.  ad  the  bl'"''''  '":"  ''""^''""''  ""«"  '^-". 
nation.  "  "  ''="''  "'"  '''^'^  «^  P"'-«ly  <»  pl-antasy  of  the  i.nagi! 


II    t 


m: 


528 


LIFE    OP   JOHN    BRANT. 


[1824. 


•"•lull!, 
ii"' 


an  appropriation,  in  1822,  from  tiie  New-England  Corporation 
for  tlie  civilization  of  Indians,  which  liad  been  chartered  as  far 
back  as  1GG2.  After  his  return  to  Grand  River,  the  young  chief 
entered  zealously  upon  the  work,  as  appears  from  an  active  cor- 
respondence maintained  lor  several  years  with  the  oHicers  of 
that  institution.  The  following  extracts,  from  a  mass  of  his 
letters,  are  given,  not  only  as  examples  of  liis  epistolary  style, 
but  for  the  purpose  of  shownig  the  extent  and  nature  of  the 
exertions  lie  was  making,  and  the  prospects  of  good  which  were 
opening  upon  him: — 

John  Bkant,  (Ahyouavaeghs)  to  Jamks  Gibson. 

"  Mohawk  Village,  Grand  River,  U.  C.    ) 

«  iVlh  June,  1824.  \ 
«  *  *  *  I  have  attended  to  the  subject  of  your 
letters  with  the  greatest  satislhction,  and  1  hope  that  the  report 
T  am  now  about  to  make  to  you,  will  be  equally  sutisfacto>-y 
to  the  humane  and  benevolent  members  of  the  New  England 
Corporation.  I  set  out  with  observing  that  the  appointed 
teaclier  conducts  himself  in  every  point  of  view  corresponding 
to  our  expectations.  The  children  are  particularly  taught 
religious  and  moral  duties  ;  the  hours  of  prayer  are  rigidly 
attended  to;  and  on  the  Sabbath  the  scholars  attend  divine 
service.  Cleanliness  is  strictly  enforced,  and  all  laudable  means 
are  resorted  to  in  order  to  excite  a  liberal  spirit  of  emulation. 
Corporeal  punishment  is  discountenanced,  except  in  cases  of 
flagrant  indifference.  Upon  the  whole,  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
announcing,  through  the  medium  of  you,  Sir,  to  the  Corporation, 
that  the  donation  so  liberally  applied,  will,  in  my  opinion,  bo 
attended  with  the  most  salutary  elfects.  It  is  an  agreeable  sight 
to  observe  the  rising  generation  of  the  aborigines  employed  in 
acquiring  knowledge,  and  in  a  spirit  of  true  worship  attending 
divine  service  on  the  Sabbath. 

"One  of  our  tribes,  the  Oneidas,*  are  very  anxious  to  have  a 
school  established  for  them.     Tlic  cliiefs  have  assured  me  diat 

*  A  section  of  the  Onoida  nation.  Aftpr  the  wnr  of  the  Revolution,  portions  of 
all  the  Six  Nations  emigrutcd  to  the  mwv  MohnwK  territory,  rtllhoiii;h  llir  tnnjority 
of  all  the  nutions,  except  the  Mohawks,  rem&inerl  within  the  ITniud  States— on 
their  ancient  territory. 


■.-■^SrSHE": 


1820.J 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


629 


bllT  '""  '''''"  ''"'""  ™^^  ^"^'^^  ^he  school  if  esta. 

*  ♦  »  * 

*  #  * 

"  Sovon  of  the  oldest  children  in  „„  sehool  r=ad  in  Ih'e  Mo 
■  "  rch.     1 1,0  others  me  our  pri.oe,^,  „„d  spell  yery  well  i„ 

;::;;:>.„:::" ""'  °''i"  ^■^'i""'^  i-"-  "•>'"^-  -f  --oiars  ■ 

"iU  .NM  .he  Corporation  have  'aZraffli'-^frT™ 

■■"■I' "1  by  the   Chiefs  of  „,y  tribe  to  relnm   ,'l,         • 

.l-«nk.  ,0  the  members  of  the  d^t^Z^Lr""- 
"  I  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  very  obedient  servant, 
"  J.  Brant, 
«  Jantfs  Gibson,  Esq.  "  Ahyouwaeghs 

"  7'.m*«;-er  Neio  England  Corporation- 

Thr  Samk  to  thk  Same. 
"  ''^^«/'«'tV.-  T7//a^e,  (?r««.i  ij^t-er,  U.  C.  f 
"DkakS.r,  19^/* /«///,  182G.    ^ 

^'l^';' I:::;"^  '"'"*.  '^  ^^'^^^'^  -^'^'^  -«  «"PPorted  by  the 
-'.'A'   ...jrland  Corporation,  where  more  than  sixty  children  ar! 

iu,ht  to  read  and  wr.te  in  the  Mohawk  dialect  and        E  "ush 

r'^;;/  '^^  *r  --numicute  to  you  the  state  of  t  ^^  ^^^ 

m  our  v.lla.r,.     It  beuio;  the  first  built  in  the  province  is  novv 

m  a  veryd  ap,dated  state,  and  we  have  not  tl.        d's  o      ! 

bm  d      Wo  hav.  made  an  allclment  of  two  hundroc^   .ces  of 

-     >r  the  use  of  a  resident  cle^yman,  and  fift/t^X  ,^ 

W      r'c     ,':    '  '"'  "^  '"^^  m^o^n.,^^  six  hundred  d  l! 

Ur  ,  o    C15()  province  currency,  toward  defrayin<r  the  exoenses 

f  ^u  dn^  a  par:.na,e;  and  although  that  sL  LI^ -^  S 


lie. 


.Its 


f,'. -^ 


in** 

"»   .HI 


'»? 


]t 


630 


LIFE    OP   JOHiV   BRANT. 


[1888. 


Jesus ;  to  visit  the  sick ;  nnd  always  to  evince,  not  only  hy 
preaching,  but  by  example,  his  devotion  to  the  church  of  Clirist. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  friend  and  servant, 

"  J.  BUANT." 


"%1 


"7 


Lktter  from  the  Same  to  the  Same. 

"  Mohaivk  Village,  Grand  River,  U.  C,  ) 
October  27,  1828.  \ 

"Dear  Sir, 

•'  I  have  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  your  communication  of 
the  I7th  August  last,  subjoining  copies  of  the  resolutions  of  \\u- 
New  England  Corporation  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  Bill  of 
]\Iarcli,  1825.  Permit  me  to  repeat  the  grateful  sentimentN  for- 
merly expressed  on  tlie  part  of  my  tribe  to  the  members  of  the 
Corporation  for  their  liberal  contributions,  as  also  for  the  fartluT 
support  they  have  now  i  fforded  to  the  most  efficient  and  i)ni(:li- 
cal  plans  of  promoting  education  and  the  difhision  of  knowledge 
among  the  Mohawks. 

"I  have  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  West,  dated  nt 
New- York;  but  have  not  as  yet  arranged  any  plans  with  that 
gfuitleman  relative  to  his  mission;  being  satisfied,  that  ul'tiT  u 
personal  conference  and  actual  observation,  we  can  in  a  much 
better  way  arrange  such  measures  as  may  appear  most  bene- 
ficial. 

"Mr.  West  mentions  that  he  will  visit  me  in  the  morilh  of 
May  next.  I  anticipiite  much  satisfaction  in  meeling  the  nivi.'- 
rend  gentleman.  It  is  undoubtedly  the  best  mode  of  ascertaining 
our  relative  situations,  circumstances,  &,c.  &c.  This  I  ardcnity 
desire  for  several  reasons.  It  will  enable  the  company  to  jiid'.'n 
how  far  if  may  be  useful  to  extend  the  means  of  education,  iitid 
of  the  probal)le  results ;  as  also  the  difficulties  in  which,  ihr 
very  many  years,  a  continuation  of  unfavorable  circumstan- 
ces has  involved  the  Five  Nations.  To  effect  a  complete;  chiitij^n 
in  manners  and  customs,  that  have  been  long  established,  will 
indeed  be  an  arduous  task.  Let  not  the  difficulties  terrify  m 
from  the  attempt.  The  more  arduous,  the  more  animatinj(— 
inasmuch  as  if  the  attempt  succeed,  the  reward  will  Ije  great. 
Not  that  those  who  commence  this  work  of  humanity  afi'  to 
flatter  themselves  with  the  hope  of  seeing  the  coinfilefc  « tfrrt  nf 


I 


■wagaea 


*^  ■•IW  Wl. 


1828.1 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


531 


«!ss,„„  pennano,,,,  „r  r„,W,-  a=.rf  place,  „f  J    ^ "' '"  ^t 

of  colloc.i„;,  ,„„teri  I,  t        *'"■■"  """'"y  '"  ""=  >™y 

pleasure  to  be  acquainted.  ^  ^''''"'  *'^<^ 

"larn,  very  truly,  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"J.  Brant. 
"James  Gibson,  Esq.,  "  Ahyouwaeghs. 


In* 

t44   0 


532 


LIFE    OF   JOHN   BRANT. 


[1829 


ern'-affed,  and  the  difficulties  to  be  encountered ;  an  I  he  had  the 
sagacity  to  perceive  the  only  practicable  method  of  accomplish- 
ii,ff  it — a  knowledge  of  the  only  means  that  could  be  success-- 
fuily  adapted  to  the  end.  The  society  of  which  he  was  the 
judicious  almoner  appreciated  his  worth,  and  in  the  year  1829 
presented  him  with  a  splendid  silver  cup,  bearing  the  following 
inscription : — 

Presented  by  the  New  England  Corporation, 
Established  in  London  by  charter,  A.  D.  1602,  for  the  civiliza- 
tion of  Indians, 
To  JOHN  BRANT,  Esa., 
Ahyouwaeghs, 
One  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Mohawk  Nation, 
'i3*  acknowledgement  of  his  eminent  services  in  promoting  the 
objects  of  the  Corporation.     A.  D.  1829. 

In  the  year  1827,  Ahyouwaeghs  was  appointed  by  the  Earl 
cf  Dalliousie,  then  Commander-in  Chief  of  the  British  Anicri- 
cjn  provinces,  to  the  rank  of  Captain,  (md  also  Superintendent 
of  the  Six  Nations.  It  was  early  in  the  same  year  that  the 
Chief  heard  that  a  liberty  l^  been  taken  with  his  name  in  the 
American  newspapers,  wh'iSri  kindled  in  his  bosom  leelings  of 
the  liveliest  indignation.  Those  familiar  with  that  deep  and 
fearful  conspiracy  in  the  western  part  of  New- York,  in  the  Au- 
tumn of  1826,  which  resulted  in  the  murder  of  William  Mor- 
gan by  a  small  liody  of  over-zealous  freemasons,  will  probably 
remember  that  the  name  of  .John  Brant  appeared  in  a  portion  of 
the  correspondence  connected  with  that  melancholy  3tory.  The 
circumstances  were  these :  It  was  well  ascertained,  that  in  the 
origin  and  earlier  stages  of  tliat  conspiracy  no  personal  injury 
was  designed  against  the  unhappy  victim  ot  Masonic  fatiaticisiii. 
The  immediate  object  of  the  conspirators  was  to  send  Morrraii 
out  of  the  country,  uiKfcr  such  circumstances,  and  to  so  great  a 
distance,  as  to  ensure  his  cofiMnued  absence.  But  they  had  ad- 
justed no  definite  p^'y*)3  for  Uj€  execariou  of  that  purpose,  or 
distinct  views  !jf/>n  the  subject  of  his  de**ifiy.  Jliving  abduct- 
ed and  illegally  carried  hvm  away.  tJjose  entrusted  with  his  safe- 
keepuig  foimd  him  npon  their  hands,  *»id  knew  not  what  to  do 
with  or  whither  to  send  him.     In  tlm  dilerwna,  on.;  of  their  pro- 


T     jj 


lis27.] 


THE    MORGAN   COXSPIRACY. 


r>33 


mid  would  of  co.irsn  ^ml,-,,!  freemason  himself, 

ven.  ,he  d^clo:   ^o     h^  L  "eZfr* '™''^  ^="^™  '»  P^ 
gnn  was  L„  ilM  act  of  mil  T  ,  '"^"'■'^""'■y.  which  Mor- 

*o„,d ,„kc ct,:  'o  hep  '::ri°?='"?'.""^' "-" «-" 

Indians  .0  ,he  No^raMvestf/X  c^^^^^^  h.s  transfer  by , he 

for  the  banisliment  of  fh^  nnK  ^"'"Pany.     But  every  device 

a.  .he  .olem;:::::*;   1    «;'-\'^f_^»'>  '-^^-iod 
Ni;io"in     'ri.„  •      .  "^'".-."L  III   tne  locky  caverns  of  the 

The  h.p,„a,i„„  was    nosr^mi^s,        ,  ™"  "»"-•'""'■'■ 

spirit  hecLin,  ,he  -na    a  d         1''  f  J™  "^^'f  -'"'  » 

lowing  letter :-  '  '  ''PP'^'^'*  ^^  ^^e  fol- 

To  THE  Editor  op  the  York  Observer. 
"  Sir,  '  ^Vellinfflon  Square,  Feb.  29,  1827. 

"  I  h;ive  read  a  paragraph  in  the  New-Vnrlr  a^    ,  . 
18,h  ins,„„,,  wherein  iris'sta.ed  L,  I  f^toXT^h 

a  barbarous  proposal  been  made  ,n  me;  nor  do  i  belie  ; Tho  '  a 
™.  who  would  dare  ,o  wound  „,y  fo„ii„gs  in  snch  :  helZ 

"I  know  nolWnj  of  ,he  man,  nor  of  any  transaction  relatin. 
t  5;:ii™'  '  ""'  """  '''""''^'  ''■"'  ">■ "-™  has  been  called 

"  I  am,  Sir,  your's  respectfully, 

"J.  Urant." 
In  the  year  1S32  John  Hrant  was  returned  a  member  of  the 
Provencal  parhament  for  the  county  of  HaldiuK.nd.  col  ! 
hendmg  a  good  portion  of  the  territory  originally  .ranted  to  the 
Mohawks,  The  right  of  the  Indians  to  ^his  torn.orv  yJ^d" 
ponded  upon  the  origiual  proclamation  af  Sir  Frederiek^UaUi: 


k     -I*  , 


1»t« 


IS'* 


fill  1 


*.■' 


534 


LIFE    OF   JOHN   BRANT. 


[1829. 


,1 


mand,  which,  according  to  the  decision  of  the  courts  of  Upper 
Canada,  conveyed  no  legal  title  to  die  fee  of  the  land.  The  In- 
dians had  heen  in  the  practice  of  conveying  away  portions  of 
tlieir  lands  by  long  leases— for  the  term  of  nine  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  years— and  a  large  number  of  those  persons  by 
whose  votes  Brant  was  elected,  had  no  other  title  to  their  real 
estate  tlian  leases  of  that  description.  As  the  election  laws  of 
Upper  Canada  very  wisely  require  a  freehold  qualification  for 
county  electors,  Mr.  Brant's  return  was  contested'  by  the  oppos- 
ing candidate.  Colonel  Warren,  and  ultimately  set  aside,  and 
the  Colonel  declared  to  be  duly  chosen.* 

It  was  of  but  small  moment  to  either  candidate,  however, 
which  of  the  two  should  be  allowed  to  wear  the  parliamentar; 
honors.  The  desolating  scourge  of  India— the  cholera— was 
introduced  upon  the  American  continent  in  the  Sumuicr  of  that 
year,  commencing  its  ravages  at  auebec  ;  and  among  the  thou- 
sands who  fell  before  the  plague,  as  it  swept  fearfully  over  the 
country  of  the  great  lakes,  were  John  Brant— Ahyouwaeghs 
— and  his  competitor. 

He  was  a  man  of  fine  figure  and  countenance,  and  great  dig- 
nity of  deportment,  though  by  no  means  haughty— liaving  the 
unassuming  manners  of  a  well-bred  gentleman.  "  The  first 
"  time  I  ever  saw  him,  was  at  a  court  at  Kingston,  wliere  he  acted 
'  as  an  interpreter  on  the  trial  of  an  Indian  charged  with  mur- 
•'  der.  Another  Indian  was  a  witness.  One  of  the  Indians  was 
«  a  Mohawk  and  the  other  a  Chippewa,  of  the  Mississagua  tribe. 
« It  was  necessary,  therefore,  that  the  questions  should  be  inter- 
"  preted  to  the  witness  in  one  language,  and  to  the  prisoner 
« in  the  other,  which  afforded  me  an  opportunity  to  compare 
"  the  sounds  of  the  one  with  the  other ;  and  the  harsh  and 
«  o-uttural  lan-rnase  of  the  Mohawkt  was,  ind-inl,  singularly  con- 
"U-asted  with  the  copiousness  and  smoothness  of  the  Chippewa. 
«  But  what  impressed  m-  most  on  the  trial,  was  the  noble  ap- 
",iearimce  of  Bnmt,  and  tiie  dignity  and  composure  with  which 
"  he  discharged  his  duty."t 

*  Letter  lo  the  author  from  the  lion.  M.  S.  Bi.lwel!,  who  sat  in  Parliament  will, 

the  Moliawk  Chief.  <-  t„  ,.,», 

t  Not  "harBh  and  guttural,"  when  spokon  by  the  youny-st  daughter  of  Jo«ph 

Brant.  , 

t  LeUor  to  tlie  aullior  from  the  Hon.  M.  S.  Bidwell. 


I  ) 


=i«!ia»aidu.Ki»>ai 


1836.] 


DAUGHTER    OP   JOSEPH    BRANT 


535 


Ahyouwaoghs  was  a  member  of  the  Church  of  Pn  ,  , 
though  not  a  communicant.  A  number  of  f  I.:  s  JZ'' 
Mons  were  with  him  when  he  die.]  nil  .*•  "'^ '"o'hIs  and  rela- 
death  was  that  of  a  hnnrl       i       '  ^  '''''°"'  ^'^''^^^^  his 

the  present  im^^^^^^^^^^  C,""«^^--     ''^  closin, 

but  -ust  attaineYtte  ;    :f  of  m^^  "^""'  ^^o  had 

weren.  the  dawn  of  a'carel  bwr  W  h 'h  ^tr^"--       "  f 
promise,  the  Christian  nhU-^ntufn  Z        ^     """  uruuant  v.nth 

pag«,  ^™s  married  .even.l   years  a.„  ,„  w.lLa,,  f'    "* 
1>..:ki.,  Esq.  so,,  of  ,l,o  late  Dr.  Robcrl  Kerr  of  V  '"T" 

gr„„,lso„  of  Sir  Willi„,„  J.hnson     J^^Ljl'^  »''^,  " 
'm>i  Irave  i„fcrrcd  from  wh,,.  has  bee„  ,.r;vionsir,-,  ,1  ' 

i:i:r  I""!-,  Wiis  educated  with  mat  enre  i      m      '^         "^'P°'^'- 
;.».....  o„,tt,re  as  her  persotld':!"    L^,  I    '"  S" ,  '■^' 

™lho    ran  ce  ^(t  fl^^moo  ""l  ""  "         '""""°"'  •"  '""^ 
v.,.,iuy  iiom  peisonal  observation      T'lmnrrK   4-  u 

oo.,sc,ot,s  of  the  delicacy  due  to  a  lady  H,C]n  u  S,  i    ' 

oeiore  ttie  pubhc— more  especaUvasit  slvill  i.^    i         -^    , 
.a.gua,e^of  .,e  of  the  fair  L,„p„L;;  onl ';:,':';..':  '"^ 

-i.r  more  ^:: '::^^':i:::;t:!>ifrt::r' 1 

"  l.et  my  reader  mark  th.,  keet.,  penotratinsj  olance  of  th.t 
dark  eye,  ,t.  now  it  rests  upon   the\strnn|rer  whl  L 
interest  m.crht,  W^  deeme.!  .,bir,i.siveness  or  .»;,!,.       a     '"^'' 

or  .eiuu,  expression,  When  .t..^::;:r;::t::Lrt; 

•  Miss  Ann  Elizabeth  \Va^|u„j. 


§m-' 


.J* 

in. 

4U  * 


Mr'  - 


N 


1^ 


536 


LIFR    OP   JOHN    BRANT. 


[1836 


brother,  is  cast  upon  her  fatlier's  miniature,  or  bides  upon  her 
children. 

"  Let  hitn  mark  tlie  haughty  curl  of  tiiat  lip  as  she  speaks  ol 
those  who  depreciate  her  people,  its  sarcastic  curve  when  she 
alludes  to  the  so-called  delineations  of  he;  ather's  character,  or 
its  fond  smile  as  she  looks  upon  her  husband;  let  him  have 
before  him  a  being  in  whom  mind  rules  every  actii  n,  and  pre- 
dominates above  all ;  and  let  him  attach  this  idea  to  one  who 
glories  in  the  fact,  that  the  blood  of  the  Mohawk  courses  in 
her  veins ;  and  he  will  know  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Brant. 
But  no  ;  he  must  yet  learn  that  this  mind  and  these  energies 
are  devoted  not  alone  to  her  immediate  circle  ;  but  have  been 
exerted  most  faithfully  for  the  improvement  and  well-being  of 
her  race.  She  has,  within  a  few  years,  translated  portions  of  the 
New  Testament  into  her  vernacular,  and  is  devising  various 
means  for  the  elevation  of  the  Indian  character." 

Colonel  Kerr,  her  husband,  is  the  eldest  of  three  brothers, 
William  Johnson,  Walter,  and  Robert,  all  of  whom  bore  com- 
missions, and  fought  the  Americans  bravely  on  the  Niagara 
frontier  during  the  last  war.  They  were  likewise  all  wound- 
ed, and  two  of  them  taken  prisoners,  uid  brought  to  Greenbush 
and  Pittsfield,  whence  they  escaped,  striking  first  u  pon  Schoharie, 
and  thence  acro.ss  the  country  from  the  Mohawk  Valley,  through 
the  woods  to  the  St.  Lawrence — though,  it  is  believed,  not  both 
at  the  same  time.  AV alter  was  accompanied  in  his  escape  and 
flight  by  a  fellow-prisoner  named  Gr»'gg.  In  the  course  of 
their  travels  through  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence,  they  fell  in 
with  a  courier  going  from  the  American  commander  at  Sackett's 
Harbor  to  General  Wilkinson,  then  below,  on  his  unsuccessful 
approacli  to  jMontrc-al.  The  fuffitives  had  the  address  to  pass 
themselves  off  for  Yankees  lookmg  for  lands,  and  obtained  from 
the  express  such  information  as  they  desired.  Gregg  was  dis- 
posed to  rob  jiim  of  b.s  dispatches,  but  Walter  Kerr  would  not 
consent.  He  subsequently  dial  tVom  t%<'  effects  of  his  wound 
in  London.  Inhtriting  a  >hare  of  Indian  blood,  frorr  their 
prandinother,  Molly  Rraut,  the  young  Kerrs  have  been  repre- 
sented to  tK.' author  by  an  American  gpntlem{\.n,  wlw  has  known 
ther.i  well,  "as  ^leincr  alike  fearless  in  battle,  a»U  full  of  strata- 
Ifeni," 


837.J 


CONCLUSION. 


637 


ij  b^  ?r  7  "'"■  ""'""'"y-  "'»  sever,,,,,™,  is  ..,t. 

Her  age  was  78  years.  ^  ^        '  "^'  '^'°'"  *'"^  '^'-"''"'  "«"  ''^r  huaband. 

NOTE  TO  THE  FOURTH  EDITION. 

V...,  those  of  Captains  Wool,  Malco.n  an,l  Ar„,s,rol   tLI  «°"'Pan.es. 

by  the  British,  but  were  seen  and  fin.  ''"'  f™"=-  ^''^^  «^"o  "ot  undiscovered 
-"..  Lowever.  .ied  as  Z^ r'  ^  ^Ze^t;:  ^^^^^  '"^  """^-  ^"^ 
•^  bunk  and  forn.ed  in  line  fronting  the  hedtsC  1  w  ,"''"""'  """"'*^'' 
•bo  senior  oilicer.  A  few  mon.ent:  ufterw  ifa"  W  ^  '-""-"l'"=^  as 
Col.  Van  Rensselaer's  landing,  and  ordered  to  Jren^rT  ""'  '"'"™^^^  "^ 

and  soon  the  con.n.and  was  b  ought  „o  ar"f  T f  >  T""  ""  '"'='"^- 
.0  .i.e  base  of  the  heights,  whereat  was"o'rd:;:d  ,  a^'  idt  rc^  '"  T' 
selaerto  holt:  and  in  a  few  rnin,if«>=  ,,  ,     .  "'•      ^"  Rens. 

Q..ensto„.  wLieh,afl\tho:;:  t  rl^r:!!  was'"  P-y  of  BrU.h  fro. 
Lieut.  Wallace  and  Ensign  Morris  were  kil  d  f  l'  C  "'tf'  ^"  '^"'  "«■"''' 
Armstrong,  and  Lieut.  Lent,  woundld  '  ''"'"'  ''^°°''  ''^"'="'»  °«'l 

U.e  bank  of  the  river.     CrZn  t     re  LJtt  007  °^'  ""'^  T  ^^'"^"  " 

-.-.erAoZ:;s  bytirr:r :-—;:-;  t  ^^--- 

probably  the  severe  wounds  of  Col  Van  Ren  seller  ffSL J.  '  """''' 
Captain  Wool,  .„  the  official  accounts,  for  ^rl'^Sh""  "p ''"r 
paiac  tn.  narrative  a  correct,  aa  it  proceeds  on  pa^e  507  ''       ""'  "^ 


:   * 


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*'«•:: 

APPENDIX. 


No.  I. 

[Reference  from  Page  96.] 

DESCRIPTION  OF  FORT  PLAIN. 

The  fonowing  is  said  to  be  a  correct  drawin-  of  Fort  PUin 
t.mes  erroneously  called  Fort  Plank.*  '  ^°'"" 


I 


and  tho  rise  of  ,l,e  J '  T  r         'T"'"^  *"  '^^'"  '''"''  "'"  '^e  valley, 
hence  it    L.  ,e  ^  SZ  '  ^"  -vera  In.iles  i„  any  direction;  an'd 

co.nKanded  :r;/j;::  1;';;'^'''  ^'^'^''"-  "-^  ^--if-'"  location 

erected  by  the  i     1 .  '^    ^^"rrounding  country.      It  was 

gion.     Its   ZT    ^        '         ""=  '^"  settlements  of  this  whole  re. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.V.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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APPENDIX. 


^^^^■^^  .' 

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sond,  forty  feet ;  the  third,  fifty  feet ;  the  last  two  stones  projecting 
five  feet,  as  represented  by  the  drawing  aforesaid.  It  was  construct, 
cd  throughout  of  hewn  timber  about  fifteen  inches  square ;  and,  be- 
side the  port-holes  aforesaid,  the  second  and  third  stories  iiad  per- 
pendicuhir  port-holes  through  those  parts  that  projected,  so  as  to 
afford  the  regulars  and  iniiitia,  or  settlers  garrisoned  in  the  fort, 
annoying  facilities  of  defence  for  themselves,  wives,  and  cliildrcn, 
in  case  of  close  assault  from  tlie  rolenthss  savage.  Whenever 
scouts  came  in  witli  tidings  that  a  hostile  party  was  approaching, 
a  cannon  was  fired  from  tiie  fort  as  a  signal  to  flee  to  it  for  safety. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  war  there  was  built,  by  the  inhabitants 
probably,  at  or  near  the  site  of  the  one  above  described,  a  fortifica. 
tion,  of  materials  and  construction  that  ill  comported  with  the  use 
and  purposes  for  wliich  it  was  intended.  This  induced  government 
to  erect  another,  (Fort  Plain,)  under  the  superintendence  of  an  expo- 
rlenced  French  engineer.  As  a  piece  of  architecture,  it  was  well 
wrought  and  neatly  finished,  and  surpassed  all  the  forts  in  that  re- 
gion. After  the  termination  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Fort  Plain 
was  used  for  some  years  as  a  deposit  of  military  stores,  under  the 
direction  of  Captain  JJ.  Hudson.  These  stores  were  finally  order- 
ed  by  the  United  States  Government  to  be  removed  to  Albany. 
The  fort  is  demolished.  Nothing  remains  of  it  except  a  circum- 
vallation  or  trench,  which,  although  nearly  obliterated  by  the  plough, 
still  indicates  to  the  curious  traveller  sufficient  evidence  of  a  forti 
fication  in  days  by-gone. — Fort  Plain  Journal,  Dec.  26,  1837. 


No.  II. 


[Reference  from  Page  153.] 

Copy  of  another  paper  in  the  same  hand-writing,  taken  vsUh  the  letter  to 
General  Haldimand  from  Dr.  Smith. 

"April  20, 1781. 
•'  Fort  Stanwix. 
"This  post  is  garrisoned  by  about  two  hundred  and  sixty  men, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Courtlandt.  It  was  supplied  with 
provision  about  the  14th  of  last  month,  and  Prant  was  too  early 
to  hit  their  sleys ;  he  w^p  ♦h":re  on  the  2d  ;  took  sixteen  prisoners. 
A  nine-inch  mortar  '.■-  ordered  from  Albany  to  this  fort,  to  be  sup- 
plied against  the  latter  end  of  May.  The  nine  months'  men  raised 
are  to  join  Courtlandt's. 


APPENDIX. 


Ll 


541 


.he  aoldie,,  done  it  on""',- "3  ''    "'  "  "»°""™".v  M,,,,,,.!,. 

John's  'I'owx. 
"  At  this  place  tliere  is  a  captain's  guard. 

nme  months'  nen  are  raised,  they  will  erecrfn  Hfi  '      "  ""^ 

this  place  and  its  vicinage  .nan/J  LTiI  "l^t.'Z     •'''-' 
andU  .  thought  .nore  will  follow  the  example  thil  ;;;;,,;!'"  """^"•• 

"SCHKXKCTADY. 

inis  town  IS  stron<T|v  nickptpfl -ill  ,.«■.„ J     u 
na„ce,  »i,  po„„de.,,  blolrh!    e       „ "     'j  ""  r. "?","/•","'• 
by  .lie  inhaliilanls;  (cv„ont  al,„,„  ,  ^    ^;  b« 'lofondod 

grain  stored  here  for  tl,e  a,e  »f  life  Z  j    ^      ^  °"'  ''""'""^  "' 
convey  heavy  „«.!  and  si  J  .oV^r.  sZwL     °"     "'""  '""•""»  "■ 

"Albany. 

.0  »bn,issi„„,  and  carry  '„/a  .ri  J  :n':::di.rier    ™  '"  '""«  " 
"Washington's  Camp. 

ProXilfj-^iritv^^rsetrwr'"™*^-""'""^'"""-- 

p-a-here-^u^'iid-rrrrdr*:;^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

May  Slh.     They  .ay  Washington  is  collecting  troop,  Cmt. 
,_     ,  "SouTHKRN  News. 

at  gS  '^jf^-^^rT  '"'f:'  '"-''  '"- 
.l.»  I  /^        ,  no  ise,  m  Worth  Carolina,  and  defeated  him  with 

li:;hi^Ser;*„i;f'""''""*=^'"°" '•''''•'• -'"'m 


■•  St 


>  4 


ft* 


f,* 


:.  k 


542 


APPENDIX. 


»«♦• 

'^:i 


It! 
r  ■  ' 


iii 


"Eastkrn  Nkws. 

"The  inhal)itants  between  All)any  and  Boston,  and  several  pre- 
cincts,  drink  the  King's  health  piil)licly,  and  seem  enchanted  witlj 
the  lute  proclamation  from  New-York.  By  a  person  ten  days  ago 
fronr.  Rhode  Island,  we  have  an  account  that  the  number  of  land 
forces  belonging  to  the  French  does  not  amount  to  more  than  three 
hundred  ;  that  when  lie  left  it,  lie  saw  two  of  the  French  vessels  from 
Chesapeake  much  damaged  and  towed  in ;  that  several  boats  full 
of  wounded  were  brought  and  put  into  their  hospitals,  and  that 
only  three  vessels  out  of  the  eight  which  left  the  island  escaped,  the 
remainder  brought  into  York.  Out  eastward  of  Boston  is  acting 
on  tiie  Vermont  principle. 

"  State  of  Vermont. 

"The  opinion  of  the  people  in  general  of  this  State  is,  that  its 
inhabitants  are  artful  and  cunning,  full  of  thrift  and  design.  About 
fifteen  days  ago  Colonel  Allen  and  a  Mr.  Fay  was  in  Albany.  I 
made  it  my  particular  business  to  be  twice  in  their  company  ;  at 
which  time  I  endeavored  to  find  out  their  business,  and  on  inquiry  I 
understood  ^rom  Colonel  Allen  that  he  came  down  to  wait  on  Gove- 
nor  Clinton,  to  receive  his  answer  to  a  petition  which  the  pe  of 
Vermont  had  laid  before  the  Assembly;  that  he  had  been  at 

the  Governor's  lodging,  and  that  the  Governor  had  refused  to  see  or 
speak  to  him.  Allen  then  said  he  might  be  damned  if  ever  he  would 
court  his  favor  again :  since  that  time  they  have  petitioned  the 
Eastern  States  to  be  in  their  Confederacy,  to  no  purpose.  I  heard 
Allen  declare  to  one  Harper  that  there  was  a  North  Pole  and  a 
South  Pole ;  and  should  a  thunder-gust  come  from  the  south,  they 
would  shut  the  door  opposite  to  that  point  and  open  the  door  facing 
the  north. 

"  8th  May.  By  this  time  it  is  expected  they  will  be  friendly  to 
their  King  ;  various  opinions  about  their  flag. 

"  Saratoga. 
"  At  this  post  there  is  a  company  belonging  to  Van  Schaick's 
regiment,  lately  come  from  Fort  Edward ;  which  garrison  they 
left  for  want  of  provision ;  and  here  they  are  determined  not  to 
stay  for  the  same  reason.  A  fort  erecting  here  by  General  Schuy- 
ler.    Two  hundred  and  fifty  men  at  this  place. 

"  Fort  Edward. 
"Evacuated.     Now  is  the  time  to  strike  a  blow  in   these  parts. 
A  partv  toward  Johnstown,  by  way  of  Division,  and  a  considerable 
body  down  here,  will  efiect  your  wish. 


APPENDIX. 


548 


,  „  .  ^  ENEHAi.  Intelligence. 

Sv   o  do  tM       7"     '''  '"''  "''  ^"'^"y  ^"d  south-east,  are 
ready  to  do  the  hke.     Governor  Trumbull's  son  was  hanged  in  Lon 
don  for  a  spy:  he  had  several   letters  from  Dr   Pmnt"     V 
iords.  Which  were  found  upon  hi..*     No^Intn'    t^^t  Z^ 

Arrived  1;  i^l  ""^  f  ^  •,°^"P^-'^  ^^-^  hundred  sail,  are  safely 
of  Canada  '        '""' ""  ^""'  ^^ainst  the  Provinca 

val"  Ta^  ^^;  .  'f ''  ""'"''"''^  ^  ''""  ^'■''"'  T.  H.  but  before  his  arri. 
val  I  despatched  a  courier  on  the  point  of  a  sharp  weapon,  to  wh  h 
I  refer  you;  and  est  that  should  miscarry.  I  send  youlZn^^^^ 
from  wh.ch,  and  the  extract  sent  forward,  you  mav   ifl^^  T 

something  interesting.     For  God's  sake  Tnda^igrr' 'Z 

ing  of  whth  .h    rT'   "^""  '"°""^  P^P«^  '"  *he  same  hLd-writ. 
«ng,  at  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

"  Y-  H   is  disobedient,  and  neither 'regards  or  pays  any  respect  to 
h.s  parents  :  if  he  did.  he  would  contrib.Ue  to  thefr  disqufet  bylm 
.ng  down  contrary  to  their  approbation  and  repeated  r'eque  ts! 

1  lie  necessaries  you  require  are  gone  forward  la<,t  Tn«  a      u 
person  which  the  bearer  will  inform  you  oi    T^h te  wal  ".f    '" 
company,  an.l  you  all  safely  returned.  o.c.  '  ""  ^""'' 

"  My  hie  IS  miserable.     A  flag— a  flag,  and  thaf  im«  a-  ,  ,     • 
the  sincere  wish  of  ^  immediately,  ,s 

"  H.  Senior." 

fully  in  a  high  civil  capacity  since  the  w-ir  nP  .h„  n  i  .  't  '  V  *"'J  success- 
Btill,  by  his  ^ontributio'n s  t/.he^t  U  ITiU^^T'  "''  7"  '"  '''  ^'^^^ 
writer  of  the«c  memoranda,  Colonel  TrumJu  I 'Jl  in  T  H  'fr"^  '"  ''^  ""^ 
•hither  to  study  thedivine  aA  which  he  haZnll  i  '^°"-    ^^"  '"'''  ''P''"'* 

the  instruction'of  hi*  co^ryman  Wet  a  S'jJrt"^"'""^*'""'^'''^'''  ""'^•^' 
tish  ministers.    Owin.,  however  tolheiiirl  r  l-'  P^^'"'^^'''"  of  the  Bri- 


•  i» 


*  '■  ^ 


'S?f 


?1: 


t] 


w 


r 


il 


i:,. 


l"ij 


54-4 


AFPENBIX. 


No.  III. 


[Refbrence  from  Page  165.] 

1. 
A  FIRM  fortress  is  our  God,  a  good  defence  and  weapon  : 
He  helps  us  free  from  all  our  troubles  which  have  now  befallen  us. 
The  old  evil  enemy,  he  is  now  seriously  going  to  work ; 
Great  power  and  much  cunning  are  his  cruel  equipments, 
There  is  none  like  him  on  the  earth. 


With  ourown  strength  nothing  can  be  done,  we  are  very  soon  lost : 
For  us  the  right  man  is  fighting,  whom  God  himself  has  chosen. 
Do  you  ask,  who  he  is?     His  name  is  Jesus  Christ, 
The  Lord  Jehovah,  and  there  is  no  other  God  ; 
He  must  hold  the  field. 


And  if  the  world  were  full  of  devils,  ready  to  devour  us, 
We  are  by  no  means  much  afraid,  for  finally  we  must  overcome 
The  prince  of  this  worlo',  however  badly  he  may  behave. 
He  cannot  injure  us,  and  the  reason  is,  because  he  is  judge ; 
A  little  word  can  lay  hira  low. 

4. 

That  word  they  shall  suffer  to  remain,  and  not  to  be  thanked  for 

either : 
He  is  with  us  in  the  field,  with  his  Spirit  and  his  gifts. 
If  they  take  from  us  body,  property,  honor,  child  and  wife. 
Let  them  all  be  taken  away,  they  have  yet  no  gain  from  it, 
The  kingdom  of  heaven  must  remain  to  us. 

[The  above  is  from  a  hymn  book  A.  D.  1741.    In  one  printed  in  1826,  and  now 
la  use  in  Pennsylvania,  the  following  is  added :] 

Praise,  honor  and  glory  to  the  Highest  God,  the  Father  of  all 

Mercy. 
Who  has  given  us  out  of  love  His  Son,  for  the  sake  of  our  defects, 
Together  with  the  Holy  Spirit.     He  calls  us  to  the  Kingdom : 
He  fakes  away  from  us  our  sins,  and  shows  us  tho  way  to  heaven ; 
May  He  joyfully  aid  us.     Amen. 


1:1      h 


fr'f^   ■:  r 


APPBIfOU.  ..- 

545 


No.  IV. 
[Rbfeurnck  fuom  Paok  167.] 

[Regtinontul  Orders.]  . 

..T„r.n  1      1  u  •      .  '' Saratoga,  Dec.  .30th,  1780. 

zeal,  which  it  affords  him  n^T'  VT  ""''^^^  cheerfulness,  and 
so  rre,uent,y  evS  ^th^e  o":.!:' t't  '^'f^^l'^y  ^^^ 
stations  required  them  to  dincharffe  "  „d  fo  Th        T  "'■"'  ^'"" 

orders,  whicu.  as  it  ever  meri  od,'  IvLs  ha  ^"  '""!""  ^°  '''^ 
tion.  '  always  Had  his  warmest  approba- 

to  submit  without   ejinint  to  a  .         ",^'^«°'^«<^'  ^e  will  endeavor 

have  a  tendenc/toTo^L^:  rZ'ts"r,,o:J'^';- ^'^"^"^  ''  ""'' 
the  councils  of  the  states  ImveSlclurod  would  "''"'  "'"  '°''" 
public  weal.  a«olarod  would  be  promotive  of  the 

"In  whatever  situation  of  life  hn  mnv  K„  .,1       j    . 
wi.l.  pl«as„e  che,W,  .he  r.l  IV   „c7„n,,    rf'  '"■  """  "'"'"■ 
have  with  him  been  share™  «r  ,1.      .  ,     deserving  men  who 

military  Hfe.     As  hVi^rn^::  l!  2^^^^^^^^^^  -.^ 

zens  whence  his  country's  service  at'an  Ly  «; L  Jtl""" 
drew  him,  he  cordially  wishes  the  day  mav  not  L  T  ' 

a  happy  peace  will  put  them  in  the  Si  oy  nt  ii^Jir"?!''  '''''' 
forthe  attainment  of  which  they  huvo  n^Z:t^Z^:::'' 
ven.ence  and  braved  many  dangers.  ^  "*'°"' 

"  P.  Gansevoort." 
An  Address  to  Colonel  Peter  Gansevoort,  by  the  Officers  of  his  R.  ■ 
..  SxB  "  Saratoga,  Dec.  31,  1780. 


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546 


APPENDIX. 


rienced  therefrom,  to  declare  our  sentiments  with  a  warmth  of  affec. 
tion  and  gratitude,  inspired  by  a  consciousness  of  your  unvvcnried 
attention  to  the  welfare,  honor,  and  prosperity  of  the  Third  New- 
York  Regiment,  while  it  was  honored  by  your  command. 

"  We  should  have  been  peculiarly  happy  in  your  continuance  with 
us.  From  our  long  experience  of  your  invariable  attachment  to  the 
service  of  our  country,  your  known  and  approved  abilities,  and  that 
affable  and  gentlemanlike  deportment  by  which  (permit  us  to  say) 
you  have  so  endeared  yourself  to  officers  and  soldiers,  that  we  can. 
not  but  consider  the  separation  as  a  great  misfortune. 

"Although  your  return  to  the  class  of  citizens  from  whence 
our  country's  cause,  at  an  early  period,  called  you,  it  is  not  a  mat- 
ter  of  choice  in  you,  nor  by  any  means  agreeable  to  us ;  yet  it  can- 
not  but  be  pleasing  to  know  that  you  retire  with  the  sincerest  affec 
tion,  and  most  cordial  esteem  and  regards  of  the  officers  and  men 
you  have  commanded. 

"  We  are,  with  the  utmost  respect, 
"  Sir, 
"  Your  most  humble  servants, 
Jas.  Rosekhans,  Major,  B.  Booardvs,  'Lieutenant, 

Cohn's.  T.  Gansen,  Captain,        J.  Bagley  do. 

Chrs.  Hatton,        do. 

W.  Magek,  do. 

Prentick  Bowen,   do. 

Saml.  Lewis,  do. 

John  Elliot,  Surgeon's  Mate^ 

Benj.  Hekking,  Ensign, 

Gerrit  Lansing,    do. 


J.  Gregg, 
Leonard  Bleeker, 
Geo.  Sytez, 
Henry  Tiedout, 


do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


HuNLOKE  Woodruff,  Surgeon, 
J.  Van  Rensselaer,  Paymaster, 
Douw  T.  FoNDAY,  Ensign, 


No.  V. 


[Reference  from  Page  236.] 

At  a  meeting  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the  Mohawk  District,  t» 
Tryon  County,  Colonel  Joseph  Throop  in  the  Chair, 

Taking  into  consideration  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  this  coun- 
try! relating  to  its  situation,  and  the  numbers  that  joined  the  enemy 
from  among  us,  whose  brutal  barbarities  in  their  frequent  visits  to 
their  old  neighbours,  are  shocking  to  humanity  to  relate  : 

They  have  murdered  the  peaceful  husbandman  and  his  lovely  boys 
about  him,  unarmed  and  defenceless  in  the  field.  Tliey  have,  with 
a  malicious  pleasure,  butchered  the  aged  and  infirm  ;  they  have  wan- 


AIM'E.VDIX. 


547 


tonly  sported  with  tho  lives  of  heloless  wom„„      a     u-.^ 

bers  they  have  scalped  alive,  sh,  t  te     7.7nT\  ''"'^""  ''  "'""• 

them  to  death      Sovpr.l  nl,i  i  ,  ^       ""'"'  ''""''*'«•  ""'J  '"""t 

'."veheen  snaichfd^Z^tlT.iu  fdi  ^^fl'rr  °^,  r^\^''-^^' 
and  scalped,  are  still  living  amon.  u  ll'v  f  "^''^'"'''^^"'*^'' 
three  hundred  widows.aadlbove  wo  ho    aL  o7„^  7"  ''''^" 

tl.ese  merciless  fiend,  are  creeoint  In  °'''^''  ""^  ""^^ 

privilege  of  fellow  citlL       7^  """^'  "'  "="'"'  '"  <='^™  '^e 

an  injared  and  determined  ^If^""'  '"  '"'  "^  >""  '^'«"'-°'  °f 

against  treason  or  confiscation  of  traitor,'  ZT        f  ®' 

ne.  acts  for  the  return  or  restitution  oTtS'  '  "      '"^"^  "^ 

May  9,  178,  %  order  of  the  fleeting, 

JosiAH  fuKoop,  Chairman. 


.  '■ 

'♦ 

A   4^: 

m 

<■■• '     1 

w,  ' 

it- 

r^:   ■. 

1^ 

Hj^^ii: 

! 

1 

i 

T''     ^ 

■'*" 

^^  i 


548 


APPENDIX. 


il 


I 


a> 


ss*. 


At  n  mnetinp  of  the  frcoholderg  nnd  inliahitants  of  Ciiniijoliarie 
District,  in  tlin  County  of  Tryon,  held  at  Fort  Plain  in  tlio  same 
district,  on  Saturday  tlio  7th  day  of  June,  1783,  the  following  re- 
solves  were  unanimously  entered  into.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Samuel 
Clyde  in  the  Chair : 

Whereas,  In  the  course  of  the  late  war,  large  numbers  of  the  in. 
habitants  of  this  county,  lost  to  every  sipnse  of  the  duty  they  owed 
their  country,  have  joined  tl"  »nemies  of  this  state,  and  have,  in 
conjunction  willi  the  Hritish  troops,  waged  war  on  the  people  of  this 
state;  while  others,  more  abandoned,  have  remained  among  us,  and 
have  harbored,  aided,  assisted,  and  victualled  the  said  British  troops 
and  their  adliorents ;  and  by  tlieir  example  and  influence  have  en- 
courngod  many  to  desert  the  service  of  their  country,  and  by  insults 
nnd  threats  have  discouraged  the  virtuous  citizens,  thereby  indue- 
ing  a  number  to  abandon  their  estates  and  the  defence  of  their  coun. 
try  :  and  whereas,  the  County  of  Tryon  !<ath,  in  an  especial  manner, 
been  exposed  to  the  continued  inroads  and  incursions  of  the  enemy, 
in  which  inroads  and  incursions  the  most  cruel  murders,  robberies, 
and  depredations  have  been  committed  that  ever  yet  happened  in 
this  or  any  other  country  ;  neither  sex  nor  age  being  spared,  inso- 
much  that  tho  most  aged  people  of  each  sex,  and  infants  at  their 
mothers'  breasts,  have  inhumanly  been  butchered;  our  buildings  (the 
edifices  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God  not  excepted)  have 
been  reduced  to  ashes ;  our  property  destroyed  and  carried  away ; 
our  people  carried  through  a  far  and  distant  wilderness,  into  cap. 
tivity  among  savages  (the  dear  and  faithful  allies  of  the  merciful  and 
humane  British!)  where  very  many  still  remain,  and  have  by  ill 
usage  been  forced  to  enter  into  their  service. 

And  whereas,  Through  the  blessings  of  God  and  the  smiles  of  in. 
dulgent  Providence,  the  war  has  happily  terminated,  and  the  freedom 
and  independence  of  tho  United  States  firmly  established: 

And  whereas,  It  is  contrary  to  the  interests  of  this  county,  as  well 
as  contrary  to  tho  dictates  of  reason,  that  those  persons  who  have, 
through  tho  course  of  an  eight  years' cruel  war,  been  continually  aid- 
ing  and  assisting  the  British  to  destroy  the  liberties  and  freedom  of 
America,  should  now  be  permitted  to  return  to,  or  remain  in  this 
county,  and  enjoy  the  blessingsof  those  free  governments  establish, 
ed  at  the  expense  of  our  blood  and  treasure,  and  which  they,  by  every 
unwarrantable  means,  have  been  constantly  laboring  to  destroy. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  riW  suffer  or  permit  any  person  or  per. 
sons  whatever,  who  have  during  the  course  of  the  late  war  joined 
the  enemy  of  this  state,  or  such  person  or  persons  remaining  with 


APPENDIX. 


fi49 


Resolved,  That  nil  other  persons  of  disafr,.o»n^  •         .    , 

.1,0  .,™e  „,,.„  one  ^...'I'Xt  Xz':;";":-"""  '"^"' 

/fCTO/verf,  That  no  person  or  persons,  of  any  (lenominnfmnc     v  * 
ovpr  sliiiii  i>«  o.,fl*      1  i.  •^  "''''ominations  what, 

ever,  snail  be  sufTered  to  come  and   rp«;r1o  ;„  fi  •      ,■  .  • 

tlieir  moral  characters,  and  of  their  f.ill    PnhV„        a       """^^  "'^ 

/&»!«*  Tl,a.  ,hi,  district  d„,.s  hereby  i„sl,ue.  .he  member,  in 
.U  .e  co..prehe„.e.  ...  .he  „„.  a„a  j:': C™  ZX: 

Samdel  Clyde,  Chairman. 


No.  vr. 

[Reference  from  Page  288.] 

JuL'll  Uml  °'  '''  ^'''''''''  ^"'  '^^"^^^  °^  '^"-^^  College. 

"  W,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Corporation  be  presented  to  Co 
.onelJoseph  Brant,  Chief  of  the  Mo'hawk  Nation',  for  hi  poHte" 

ent.on   to  tins  University,  in  his  kind  donation  *;  its  .  bra'  '    f 
the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  of  the  Church  of  England,  with  th 


I 


If 


550 


APPENDIX. 


In.b'  [t 


h  i 


\ 


n 


felt ," 


tHi 


Gospel  of  Mnrk,  translated  into  the  Mohawk  language,  and  a  Primer 
in  the  8umu  lunguago. 

"  Attest,  JogRpu  WiLLAiiD,  President.** 


No.  VIE. 

[Rkference  from  Paok  312.] 

SAINCLAIRE'S  DEFEAT. 
'TwAs  November  the  fourth,  in  year  of  ninety-one, 
We  had  a  sore  enfjagcment  near  to  Fort  Jefferson  ; 
SincJairc  was  our  commander,  wiiich  may  remei';hered  be, 
For  there  we  left  nine  hundred  men  in  t'  VVest'n  Ter'tory. 

At  Bunker's  Hill  and  Quebec,  where  many  a  hero  fell, 
Likewise  at  Long  Island,  (it  is  I  the  truth  can  tell,) 
But  such  a  dreadful  carnage  may  I  never  see  again 
As  hap'ned  near  St.  Mary's  upon  the  river  plain. 

Our  army  was  attacked  just  as  the  day  did  dawn. 
And  soon  were  overpowered  and  driven  from  the  lawn : 
They  killed  Major  Ouldiiam,  Levin,  and  Briggs  likewise, 
And  horrid  yell  of  savages  resounded  thro'  the  skies. 

Major  Butler  was  wounded  the  \ery  second  fire ; 
His  manly  bosom  swell'd  with  rage  when  forc'd  to  rctiro; 
And  a'  he  lay  in  anguish,  nor  scarcely  could  he  see. 
Exclaimed,  "Ye  hounds  of  hell,  O!  revenged  I  will  be." 

We  had  not  been  long  broken  when  General  Butler  found 
Himself  so  badly  wounded,  was  forced  to  quit  the  ground ; 
"  My  God !"  says  he,  "  what  shall  we  do ;  we're  wounded  every  man 
Go,  charge  tiiem,  valiant  heroes,  and  beat  them  if  you  can." 

Ho  leaned  his  back  against  a  tree,  and  there  resigned  hia  breath, 
And  like  a  valiant  soldier  sunk  in  the  arms  of  death ; 
When  blessed  angels  did  await,  his  spirit  to  convey; 
And  unto  the  celestial  fields  he  quickly  bent  his  way. 

We  charg'd  again  with  courage  firm,  but  soon  again  gave  grou'id, 
The  war-whoop  then  re-doubled,  as  did  the  foes  around  ; 
Tliey  killed  Major  Ferguson,  which  caused  his  men  to  cry, 
♦*  Our  only  salety  is  in  flight,  or  fighting  here  to  die." 


AP1'E.\DIX. 


651 


Our  CHn„„„  ,,„ll,  cxliaul^    "  r    n,"'       '"""'  ''°'"" 

!■". .--« .ha.  ..„  v.,i:r:;;„!L^7;;'„';  -  ''""'"^'^' 

"''°" 'Sr-"  *""'"'^  "'*"'*. 'h«"  «.ey  .houia  „„i.  .,. 

fly  ;  ®     "^  *'"°'^''  '''^«  >vo!ves  and  sheep  they 

Dir^T"'"''''^  "'">''  ^'^°'  »>"'  ^  'Jay  before 
Defied  and  braved  all  danger,  had  lil,.  „    .  ' 

^    '  ^"""^  ''"^^  "■  c!ouii  pass'd  o'er. 

Some  had  a  thi..h  and  s  Ji  !  .'       """"^  "«  '^'•«"ght ; 


\. 


1*1 


"h. 


t 


4  . 


."!*' 


No.  VIII. 
[Reference  from  Pa^b  314  ] 

^erW  y,Uh  the  Murder  o/lt  "^Srlt  "-^  ^^'**«'-^A.  ^o. 

On  the  return  of  my  hustnTf       n     ^'^  """*  ^*'^«^'''  '^c. 

«oned  in  a  preceding  c^hL:.  an  "if ' ''  '''"'^'^  ^^^-^'  -- 
received  in  the  battle,  he  wa  Jade?" '■'^"^r>'  ^''"^  ^he  wound  he 
o-duty.  about  the  22d  omJok%\7''rf  "'"^'  ^'^ '"«  ^^^^ 

'  *  ^^-     T^^e  appointment  of  gpie> 


tat 


I* 


528: 


552 


APPENDIX. 


to  watch  the  movements  of  the  savages  was  so  conscnant  with  the 
desires  and  interests  of  the  inhabitants,  that  the  frontier  now  resum- 
ed the  appearance  of  quiet  and  confidence.  Those  who  had  for 
nearly  a  year  been  huddled  together  in  the  block-house  were  scat- 
tered to  their  own  habitations,  and  began  the  cultivation  of  their 
farms.  The  spies  saw  nothing  to  alarm  them,  or  to  induce  them  to 
apprehend  danger,  till  the  fatal  morning  of  my  captivity.  They 
repeatedly  came  to  our  house,  to  receive  refreshments  and  to  lodge. 
On  the  15th  of  May,  my  husband,  with  Captain  Guthrie  and  other 
spies,  came  home  about  dark,  and  wanted  supper ;  to  procure  which 
I  requested  one  of  the  spies  to  accompany  me  to  the  spring  and 
spring-house,  and  Mr.  William  Maxwell  complied  with  my  request. 
While  he  was  at  the  spring  and  spring-house,  we  both  distinctly 
heard  u  sound  like  the  bleating  of  a  lamb  or  fawn.  This  greatly 
alarmed  us,  and  induced  us  to  make  a  hasty  retreat  into  the  house. 
Whether  this  was  an  Indian  decoy,  or  a  warning  of  what  I  was  to 
pass  through,  I  am  unable  to  determine.  But  from  this  time  and 
circumstance,  1  became  considerably  alarmed,  and  entreated  my  hus- 
band to  remove  me  to  some  more  secure  place  from  Indian  cruelties. 
But  Providence  had  designed  that  I  should  become  a  victim  to  their 
rage,  and  that  mercy  should  be  made  manifest  in  my  deliverance. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st  of  May,  two  of  the  spies,  Mr.  John 
Davis  and  Mr.  Sutton,  came  to  lodge  at  our  house,  and  on  the  morn- 
ing  of  the  22d,  at  day-break,  when  the  horn  blew  at  the  block-house, 
wJiich  was  within  sight  of  our  house,  and  distant  about  two  hundred 
yards,  the  two  men  got  up  and  went  out.  I  was  also  awake,  and  saw 
the  door  open,  and  thought,  when  I  was  taken  prisoner,  that  the 
scouts  had  left  it  open.  I  intended  to  rise  immediately ;  but  having 
a  child  at  the  breast,  and  it  being  awakened,  I  lay  with  it  at  the 
breast  to  get  it  to  sleep  again,  and  accidently  fell  asleep  myself. 

The  spies  have  since  informed  me  that  they  returned  to  the  house 
again,  and  found  that  I  was  sleeping;  tliat  they  softly  fastened  the 
door,  and  went  immediately  to  the  block-house  ;  and  those  who  ex- 
nmined  the  house  after  the  scene  was  over,  say  both  doors  had  the 
appearance  of  being  broken  open. 

The  f  st  thing  I  knew  from  falling  asleep,  was  the  Indiana  pulling 
me  out  of  the  bed  by  my  feet.  I  then  looked  up,  and  saw  the  house 
full  of  Indians,  every  one  having  his  gun  in  his  left  hand  and  toma- 
hawk  in  his  right.  Beholding  the  dangerous  situation  in  which  I 
was,  I  immediately  jumped  to  the  floor  on  my  feet,  with  the  young 
ciiiM  in  my  arms.  I  then  took  a  petticoat  to  put  on,  having  only 
the  one  in  which  I  slept ;  but  the  Indians  took  it  from  me,  and  as 
many  as  I  attempted  to  put  on  they  succeeded  in  taking   from  me. 


APPENDIX. 


553 


«o  that  I  had  to  go  just  as  I  had  been  i„  bed      Whil.  r 
gling  with  some  of  the  savages  for  cWl  .1  '  "^^^  ^*'"S- 

took  the  two  children  out  of  a„o    "  t  h"°'  ^  "^  *'""  "'"'  ""^ 

two  feather  beds  to  the  door  and  t^S't^e":^  ""t^'^^^^'^  ''''  "'° 
diutely  began  their  woric  of  plunder  7nH  5  *  ^^^^'^^"Ses  .mme. 
were  unable  to  cany  with  the m  fh  f  '^''^««*^t'«n-  What  thev 
at  their  work  I  r^JetoteZ;  and  T'"  '^'^''^  ^^ey  were 
one  child  in  .y  ar.s  an^al!:,:;.;";  :;':^'  ^f  ^f"  ^;-^'  ^^ith 
boy  was  so  much  displeased  hv  U.\J  .'.  ^''^  ""'^'"  ''"'« 

in.,  that  he  would  not  cofne  7o  tuXT'' ''''^''^'  '"  ''^  ™-' 

When  I  got  out,  I  saw  Mr.  Wolf,  one'cf  th«  sn.^- 
spnng  for  water,  and  beheld  two  or  three  of   h«"'  ^""«"*°*''« 
o  get  between  him  and  the  hlock-ho  s       b  t  Mr   wT  '"""^^'"^ 
scious  of  his  danger,  for  the  savn„^«  h  a     7  Wolf  was  uncon. 

then  gave  a  terrffic  sere  "m    bTwh  I  't^^^^  I 

his  danger,  and  started  to  ru^flt^  rr, '''■■  ^°'^  ^^-vered 
Indians  fired  at  him.  but  the  n,y  „  l'  ^  1  °"" !  ^^^  ^  -ght 
his  arm,  which  broke  it.     He  succeJIT  r"^"*  """^  ^  ''""«'  i° 

biock.hou.se.     When  I  raised  the  !  '"  "'^     "  '"'  '''''^'  ''^  '^e 

to  .e  with  his  tomaha^wTat  t!  :u  2^^^^^^^  ^  .'J? '"f-  -me  up 
came  and  placed  his  hand  before^mrrouranH?  M  ''  '  '^'""^ 
when  a  third  came  with  a  lifted  tomahTl  .  '^  '"'  '°  ''"«''. 
-  a  blow;  but  the  first  tha  ^1  "JIT^  L  T'T'^'  *°  ^'^« 
the  blow,  and  claimed  me  a.  hisTquaw  '"^'^  and  averted 

th:^:^=T-;:r^::::^^^^^ 

the  door  to  sec  what  was  tlio  m„w       ?1  .        ""'  «""».  «»me  to 

w«  i"  n,,.,  his  .soap,  •«  ITclrl'"  "„ ^Z  ""th"""^"  '' 

discovered  by  the  Indians  ««u»,  i    r     ■       '  "*''  without  beinff 

.1..  bullets  wLt  .h  I  ;xiir  r  I""  ■"  "'"••  *"" »""  °f 

lead,  .„d  took  otf  so^e  .   h  s  hi  °  ThVll""!  '""■  *'»"'  "- 
-I  b„„e,  holes  in  it,  he  .fterwardgLve™  „e  ""'"''•  "'"■  ''"■ 

fell  dead  by  the  door.  The  Zll„,  "°""°''  ""*  I""*  «■"! 
lou.  «„d  terrifying yells'lndlTd  f  I"'  """"f 'l»i'  "emen. 
■he  man  (hey  had  kiS  b„,  I  "^'  ""''  '""■»?«  '»  »««'P 
'beirdiaboliLlp„r„rbvthlh    '^"r  '"^™"'"'  f™™  «™«ing 

»nrr:;::x;:sr,':;:;i":]ireTt;:r;'°''  7  -»- 

dians  from  me,  and  to  Rx  it  on  .h     u     ,         """"w""  of  the  In. 

0"-;J.ucceoJ  in  .hi,:  f  tld™^  1  f'-T '  """""-"S^' 'f  • 
voi,.  u.  37  ^^ "  subicrraneau  rocit  with 


ii 


mi  ^- 


•t 


tj  ■» 


!. 


I* 


? 


3[t 


I  St.       '   ,  .  t  s 


ni 


ii 


•"IK, 


654 


AFPUNDIX. 


^  T I 


which  I  was  acqiiaintod,  which  was  in  the  run  near  where  we  were. 
For  this  purpose  I  bogaa  to  converse  with  some  of  those  wiio  were 
near  me  respecting;  the  strength  of  the  block-house,  the  number  of 
men  in  ir,  &;c.,  and  beinjr  informed  that  there  were  forty  men  there, 
and  tiiat  they  were  excellent  marksmen,  they  immediately  came  to 
the  determination  to  retreat,  and  for  this  purpose  they  ran  to  those 
who  were  besieging  the  block-house,  and  brought  them  away.  They 
then  began  to  flog  mo  with  their  wiping  sticks,  and  to  order  me  along. 
Thus  what  I  intended  as  the  means  of  my  escape,  was  the  means  of 
accelerating  my  departure  in  the  hands  of  the  savages.  But  it  was 
no  doubt  ordered  by  a  kind  Providence,  for  the  preservation  of  the 
fort  and  the  inhabitants  in  it ;  for  when  the  savages  gave  up  the 
attack  and  retreated,  some  of  the  men  in  the  house  had  the  last  load 
of  ammunition  in  their  guns,  and  there  was  no  possibility  of  procur- 
ing  any  more,  for  it  was  all  fastened  up  in  the  store-house,  which 
was  inaccessible. 

The  Indians,  when  they  had  flogged  me  away  along  with  them,  took 
my  oldest  boy,  a  lad  about  five  years  of  age,  along  with  them,  for  he 
was  still  at  the  door  by  my  side.  My  middle  little  boy,  who  was  about 
three  years  of  age,  had  by  this  time  obtained  a  situation  by  the  fire 
in  the  house,  and  was  crying  bitterly  to  me  not  to  go,  and  making 
bitter  complaints  of  the  depredations  of  the  savages. 

But  these  monsters  were  not  willing  to  let  the  child  remain  behind 
them:  they  took  him  by  the  hand  to  drag  him  along  with  them,  but 
he  was  so  very  unwilling  to  go,  and  made  such  a  noise  by  crying, 
that  they  took  him  up  by  the  feet  and  dashed  his  brains  out  against 
the  threshold  of  the  door.  They  then  scalped  and  stabbed  him,  and 
left  him  fo.^  dead.  When  I  witnessed  this  inhuman  butchery  of  my 
own  child,  I  gave  a  most  indescribable  and  terrific  scream,  and  felt 
a  dimness  v.ome  over  my  eyes  next  to  blindness,  and  my  senses  were 
nearly  gone.  The  savages  then  gave  me  a  blow  across  my  head 
and  face,  and  brought  me  to  my  sight  and  recollection  agnin.  Daring 
the  whole  of  this  agonizing  scene  I  kept  my  infant  in  my  arms. 

As  soon  as  their  murder  was  effected,  they  marched  me  along  to 
the  top  of  the  bank,  about  forty  or  sixty  rods,  and  there  they  stop. 
ped  and  divided  the  plunder  which  they  had  taken  from  our  house; 
and  here  I  counted  their  number,  and  found  them  to  be  thirty. two, 
two  of  whom  were  white  men  painted  as  Indians. 

Several  of  the  Indians  could  speak  English  well.  I  knew  several 
of  them  well,  having  seen  tliem  go  up  and  down  the  Alleghany 
river.  I  knew  two  of  them  to  ho  from  the  Seneca  tribe  of  In- 
dians,  and  two  of  them  Munsees ;  for  they  had  called  at  the  shop  to 
get  their  guns  repaired,  and  I  saw  them  there. 


I:  : 


APPENUIX. 


555 


I  was  put,  started  with  me  on  fh'  T    '''°  °^  "'"'"•'""' ^vlm.o  custo.lv 

^i.ineL;a„d  t..^  o~::etroi^::r::r'\;?''«  f  ^• 

can:e  to  the  bank  that  descended  toward  he  4  I  .  •  .  '""  "'"'^ 
-  very  steep,  and  there  appeared  sJ^r  d  t  ilf  d""  ''f  ^^"^ 
on  horseback,  that  I  threw  myself  offthn  h        "  'bonding  ,t 

will  and  command  of  the  savagel  '"  ''^'•°^'''""  '«  "'« 

My  horse  descended  without  falling,  but  thi,  nn„ 
dian  rode  who  had  mv  little  bov  . „  i  ,         °  °"  '^''"''^  ^^e  In- 

repeatedly,,  and  my^  ,      o'S;"  tk"      T ''^'''  ""''  ■'''"^^  -" 

got  to  the  bank  of  the  river  wh^r^  fh    V  ,  IntliftHH.nnd  we 

.l-.ho  Uland,  a„,|  ,h,„  „,,,  ,„„",,";  ^^^  »'  "»c«noo.  .0  .he  pom. 
Here  I  beheld  another  hard  scpmp   fnr  »  ' 

hr>.tlier,  anil  wl,„  comnlainod  .1,1m,.        '"™"""S  "I"""  l"«  IL.Io 

"  teing  under,  and  i.,  li.lle  hand,,  i„   he  17  '         ,  "  7  """'' 
ion.  .  ren.ai.ed  in  .hi,  „a.e  of  in»„:i,',!h„l;Tl,l;'I  """•     "°"' 

.™.;r.nd  :rrL,l;7n;:re:::d;::,;ttf„z :-  --  ■- 

cast  my  eyes  around,  and  saw  the  sch,  of  ST    I  '"''''•     ^ 

'>'eeoing  from  his  head,  in  the  h!:d  of  nl'^'V;:: v!'"  '''\  ''"' 
rfown  to  the  earth  again  upon  my  .nfant  ch  Id  '  T'  T  '""^ 
remen.bor  after  witnessing  this  spectacle  of  wo"  '''  "''"^  ' 

Di":rp':::r:!,'";;thT ''j,t:'': ':'™""  '»'"^""''-  »f 

dcredme!     Whal  a  .Zd„  ,h       "°";  "'"■>' ""fih' "ley  have  m„r. 

"I     Bu.,  ins.ea  ?f :  :       'iX"     'b       ""',"«'"'«"» 'Tec. 
...i_,  me  scalp  ox  my  boy  was  hid  from  my  view 


r 


!■<■ 


It 


J  I 


M 


I     « 


p 

Ik 

Ij      '■ 


■.  m 


556 


APPENDIX. 


and,  in  order  to  bring  me  to  my  senses  again,  they  took  me  back  to 
the  river  and  led  me  in  knee  deep ;  this  had  its  intended  effect.  But 
"the  tender  mercies  of  the  wicked  are  cruel." 

We  now  proceeded  on  our  journey  by  crossing  the  island,  and 
coming  to  a  shallow  place  where  we  could  wade  out,  and  so  arrive 
to  the  Indian  side  of  the  country.  Here  they  pushed  me  in  the 
river  before  them,  and  had  to  conduct  me  through  it.  The  water 
was  up  to  my  breast,  but  I  suspended  my  child  above  the  water,  and, 
through  the  assistance  of  the  savages,  got  safely  out. 

From  thence  we  rapidly  proceeded  forward,  and  came  toBig  Buf- 
falo ;  here  the  stream  was  very  rapid,  and  the  Indians  had  again  to 
assist  me.  When  we  had  crossed  this  creek,  we  made  a  straight 
course  to  the  Connequenessing  creek,  the  very  place  where  Butler 
now  stands ;  and  from  thence  we  travelled  five  or  six  miles  to  Little 
Buffalo,  and  crossed  it  at  the  very  place  where  Mr.  B.  Sarver's  mill 
now  stands,  and  ascended  the  hill. 

I  now  felt  weary  of  my  life,  and  had  a  full  determination  to  maka 
the  savages  kill  mie,  thinking  that  death  would  be  exceedingly  wel. 
come  when  compared  with  the  fatigue,  cruelties,  and  miseries  I  had 
the  prospect  of  enduring.     To  have  my  purpose  effected,  I  stood 
still,  one  of  the  savages  being  before  me  and  the  other  walking  on 
behind  me,  and  I  took  from  off  my  shoulder  a  large  powder  horn 
they  made  me  carry,  in  addition  to  my  child,  who  was  one  year  and 
four  days  old.     I  threw  the  horn  on  the  ground,  closed  my  eyes,  and 
expected  every  moment  to  feel  the  deadly  tomahawk.     But  to  my  sur- 
prise  the  Indians  took  it  up,  cursed  me  bitterly,  and  put  it  on  my 
shoulder  again.     I  took  it  off  the  second  time,  and  threw  it  on  the 
ground,  and  again  closed  my  eyes  with  the  assurance  that  I  should 
meet  death  ;  but,  instead  of  this,  the  savages  again  took  up  the  horn, 
and  with   an  indignant,  frightful  countenance,  came  and  placed 
it  on  again.     I  took  it  off  the  third  time,  and  was  determined  to 
effect  it  •  and  therefore  threw  it  as  far  as  I  was  able  from  me,  over 
the  rocks.     The  savage  immediately  went  after  it,  while  the  one  who 
had  claimed  me  as  his  squaw,  and  who  had  stood  and  witnessed  the 
transaction,  came  up  to  me,  and  said,  "  well  done,  I  did  right,  and  was 
"  a  good  squaw,  and  that  the  other  was  a  lazy  son  of  a  b— h  ;  he  might 
«  carry  it  himself."     I  cannot  now  sufficiently  admire  the  indulgent 
care  of  a  gracious  God,  that  at  tiiis  moment  preserved  me  amidst  so 
many  temptations  from  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife. 

The  savages  now  changed  their  position,  and  the  one  who  claimed 
me  as  his  squaw  went  behind.  This  movement,  I  believe,  was  to 
prevent  the  other  from  doing  me  any  injury  ;  and  we  went  on  till  we 
struck  the  Connequenessing  at  the  Salt  Lick,  about  two  miles  above 


APPENDIX. 


657 


1  i.e  camp  was  made  of  stakes  driven  in  th7  .    .     • 

covered  with  chesnut  bark,  and  appeared       ^  -^'T^  ''"P'"^'  ^"'^ 
•nen.     The  camp  appeared  to  h.ve  h.  '""^'  '"""  ^°^  ^^y 

was  very  much  beat'en,  and     r':  be    eVoT"'  '"^"""^  ''™«  '  '' 
different  directions.  ^  °"  P*"""^  ^«n'  out  from  it  in 

That  mgnt  they  took  me  about  three  hunHr»^       4  . 
"P  a  run,  into  a  lar^e  dark  hottlT   u         [^'''^'^'''"'^^^  <=«'"P. 

tl.icket,andplaced:b:l°  °I"'"%*'''^>^-^  ''^^ '"•-''  ^-^ 
down  with  my  child.  Tht;  then  „!„"";''  '"'  ^""""^^  -«  '^  sit 
a  .ittle  liberty,  so  that  it  tZ  w  th  S  u Uy  ZtY'"^  '''':  ''"'^  ^'^^ 
Here,  in  this  dreary  situation   wUhTl  ""a^aged  my  child. 

an  infant  to  take  car  If  nj  "a  f  Z  ^^^^^^ment,  having 
ing  a  savage  on  each  L  of  Z  whThari  ,,'f "'  '"^'  ^"^  ^-* 
chUdren  that  day.  I  had  to  pass  the  fistnlltf      "'  "^  "^'  '^" 

Ye  mothers,  who  have  never  losi  a  c  fl  "^  ''^P^'^''^^' 
or  endured  the  almost  indescribable  m'  u^  ^"  '"''""'^"  ^'^^^g^' 
theless  think  a  lUtle  (tho  gh  t  Je  ZTZ^TT'l'''  "^^^  — 
hence,  now  you  are  enjoyif!  vee^  ren^  ^^  Tl  ^  '"'"'^'''  ^"^ 
peaceful  and  weli.repienisLdVaZ/'^  '"^  '^°  ''°'"^"^'«  «f  a 
as  one  who  was  a  piLeer  in  the  wll  r'  V'""'''  "''^  "'^  ^  ''"'«' 
But  the  trials  a,  d  ding  Jof  2  ^^'^f'''"  ^"'^  --''-tion. 
Pletely  exhausted  nature.!     t  no  withsT  H     '  ''*""'  ^'"^^  ««  '=°™- 

asleep,  and  repeatedly  dreamed  nf        "^  ^         ^'  '  '"^^n^'bly  fell 

Patsburgh,a„d^everal    h^rrelaLTtoT       '"'  "''^  ""^«'  '» 
nothing  at  the  time,  but  found  toT?^       u    *°'"''  "^  ^^ichlknew 

first  night  passed  IwaraTd  ^17:;''^"  '  "f^'^  *h--    The 
savages  kept  watch  the  whole  of  the  It      "?  °^  "'^^P^'  ^"^  ^^o 

In  the  morning,  one  of  t^lrL^us"  f  l^^^;:  Z^'''\. 
had  come,  to  see  if  any  white  people  wpr«  n  °'"  P''^''  ^« 

absenceofthefndian.  who  wasLon  Tu.  '^"''"'"^  "''  ^uringthe 
remained  with  me,  ad  who  Ja'  hT  ^  '""r' '"'""^'^^'''^'^^ 
from  his  bosom  his  scalp    a^H  ""  ""^  ""^  '^^'  ''°V,  took 

-alp  upon  it.  To  mother  17T  "  '"''''  '^"^  ^^•"^^^^'^'l  ^^e 
one  of  'the  scalps  of  t  ,eTown  hi^d  '?1  T"  ""  '''^^  ^«-  ^^ 
so  much  misery  to  endure  WvillM'  ^"'1  ^"''  '^  ^"^^  «^-  ^ad 
the  feelings  which  tl^enh'       I       ""^'^  '"  ^"'■'"  ''"^  *'^'"t  ideas  of 

While het:  n^'r  e;vTcr  zrri- ' ™^^''^^^^ ^--^«' 

which  hung  by  his  side    nd     ^L  oT  t        '"  'f  ''^  *"™^'^^^^'^' 

succeeded,  and  was  -is  I  hi  H     u  ^'■°""^'  ""''  ^^^  "ear'y 

,  uim  was,  as  1  thought,  about  tn  r»i„p*K„f„*.i  u,  ,     -^ 

aias !  i  was  detected.  " "  o'"'' "'^ta-.al  ubw;  when, 


»"!■"'■, I 


M: 

•  !    ' 

' 

^1 

f 

n 

i'    ':     ' 

'J 

J 

«iil,.u-_ 

JM 

a 

It 


i 

I" 


,1       ('-1 


Ititr    ;^ 


»«ai 


558  APPENDIX. 

The  savage  felt  me  at  his  tomahawk  handle,  (urncd  round  upon 
me,  cursed  me,  and  told  me  I  was  a  Yankee;  thus  insinuating  he 
understood  my  intention,  and  to  prevent  me  from  doing  so  again, 
faced  me.  My  excuse  to  him  for  handling  his  tomahawk  was,  that 
my  child  wanted  to  play  with  the  handle  of  it.  Here  again  I  won- 
dered at  my  merciful  preservation,  for  the  looks  of  the  savage  wore 
terrific  in  the  extreme ;  and  these,  I  apprehend,  were  only  an  index 
to  his  heart.     But  God  was  my  preserver. 

The  savage  who  went  upon  the  look-out  in  the  morning  came  hack 
about  12  o'clock,  and  hud  discovered  no  pursuers.  Then  the  one  who 
had  been  guarding  me  went  out  on  the  same  errand.  The  savage  who 
was  now  my  guard  began  to  examine  me  about  the  white  people, 
the  strength  of  the  armies  going  against  them,  dec,  and  boasted 
largely  of  their  achievements  in  the  preceding  fall,  at  the  defeat  o» 
General  St.  Clair. 

He  then  examined  into  the  plunder  which  he  had  brought  from 
our  house  the  day  before.  He  found  my  pocket-book  and  money  in 
his  plunder.  There  were  ten  dollars  in  silver,  and  a  half  a  guinea 
in  gold  in  the  book.  During  this  day  they  gave  me  a  piece  of  dry 
venison,  about  the  bulk  of  an  egg,  and  a  piece  about  the  same  size 
the  day  we  were  marching,  for  my  support  and  that  of  my  child; 
l)ut  owing  to  the  blows  1  had  received  from  them  in  my  jaws,  I  was 
unable  to  eat  a  bit  of  it.     I  broke  it  up,  and  gave  it  to  the  child. 

The  savage  on  the  look-out  returned  about  dark.  This  evening, 
(Monday  the  23d,)  they  moved  me  to  another  station  in  the  same 
valley,  and  secured  me  as  they  did  the  preceding  night.  Thus  I 
found  myself  the  second  night  between  two  Indians,  without  fire  or 
refreshment.  During  tliis  night  I  was  frequently  asleep,  notwilh- 
standing  my  unpleasant  situation,  and  as  often  dreamed  of  my  arri- 
val in  Pittsburgh. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  a  flock  of  mocking  birds  and 
robins  hoverd  over  us,  as  we  lay  in  our  uncomfortable  bed,  and  sung, 
and  said,  at  least  to  my  imagination,  that  I  was  to  get  up  and  go 
cff.  As  soon  as  day  broke,  one  of  the  Indians  went  off  again  to 
watch  the  trail,  as  on  the  preceding  day,  and  he  who  was  left  to 
take  care  of  me,  appeared  to  be  sleeping.  When  1  perceived 
this,  I  lay  still  and  began  to  snore  as  though  asleep,  and  he  fell 

asleep. 

Then  I  concluded  it  was  time  to  escape.  I  found  it  impossible  to 
injure  him  for  my  child  at  the  breast,  as  I  could  not  effect  any  thing 
without  putting  the  child  down,  and  then  it  would  cry  and  give  the 
alarm  ;  so  I  contented  mysRlf  with  taking  from  a  pillow-case  of 
plunder,  taken  from  our  houso,  a  sliort  gown,  handkerchief,  and 


1' 


AI'PKNDIX. 


559 


.t'll'l-T^t""'  '"  ™""  "'"^'<'"  "-""  ".en  being  ab.„.„«,r 

I  took  a  direction  from  homo  nf  fi  ■  » 
before  mentioned,  and  in  order  .!,l    ";"'•  "'""^  g"'^'^^  by  'he  birds 
ti.e  l.ill.  and  struck  the  cl :'::'::'''"  'fr^  "^"  ^"^'^  ^^^ 
^vhere  I  crossed  it  with  t,,o  J,  I.  "         '^  "'''^  ""^""^  '''^  "'"•^^^'-om 

a-t  two  o'clock  in  th';';:,w:  t :;:  ir^r ''-  ^'t  ^^" 

'--rs,  d:c.,  with  my  bare  foot  and  loJs  Tthe^j''''":  ""^"'' 
sun,  and  the  running  of  the  «tr«am  th^'r  '  "''"  *^'«'=«^«'''''d  by  the 
and  .oing  f,om,  in:tead  oVri'  ^  iLM^^V^Vr"^^""^^^' 
my  course,  ascended  a  hill  nn.l  «,.f  i         J„  ^  "'*="  changed 

star  made  its  appearance;)       I     '  .  '""''*'  ^"^  ^'>«  -«"'"& 

and  havin,  marLd  ou    't    '     r      ;r7'!    ''T^  '  ^"^'^  '-- ' 

morning,  I  collected  some  loa,r,r  ''^'  ''*'  "^^^ 

and  slept,  though  my  feet  l^rnr    ''''""''  '""'  '"y^^l^'down 

mentioned,  which  still  conin  ^  'i  l''"  *  ?  ''"^''  ^'^  •^-'^^  before 
me  through  the  wilderness.  A  ZTaTit  '""""  "^^'"  *°  ^-'^^ 
-o.dmyway..ta.d.wZri:^^^^^^^^^ 

ledge,  towards  the  Alleghany  riv«       'inZ'  "?  '°  ™^'^"°^- 

down  of  the  sun,  a  n.odorato  r  lou,  ^n  o^       Tfl  '""•'  ''^  ^'^'^^ 

for  my  bed  by  collecting  some       ..      toLt'l  'tT"  *°  P'^P"« 

nigiU  before;  but  could  not  c      ct  «  5.1"'  T'  ''''  ^""^  *''« 

setting  my  little  boy  on  the  grou    I     ,,ut    I  so         'r"'''^  "•''^°"* 

my  arms  he  began  to  cry.  FourfdoV   h  "'  ^P"'  ^""  °"^  "^ 

tbis  situation/l  took  him  i./mv    1  trrr'"?"^ ''^  """  ^" 

mediately,  and   he  became  J^  I'tT^,       "" ''^ '^'' ^''''' '"'■ 

'i-'^ncti,  heard, he  footsZ7Lan^^^^^^      "^'  '"'   "^*^"^'^'  -^ 
direction  I  had  come  •     TlL'L       7  ^'^  "^^'^  '"^  '"  *''«  ^^^e 

Hngwasgood,a:dTheni  V  ;,;:7.:a''r^^'^^^^^^'■ 
marks,  and  thus  exposed  my  sol  rto  a  LJT  """'  ''^'  "^^^"°^- 
my  perilous  situati  n.  IloS  aro  17^  T"''"'  ^'^^"^''  ^* 
.ro„/...iaZ/,discover;da,  ;  Zwu^  ^' T''^'^'  ^"^ 
of  which  I  crept,  with  my  ch'd  r^ry  at  'd  Ih'  u'^'  '""'^ 
securely  under  the  limbs       'n,«  J    .    '           '     ^  ^^^'''  hid  myself 

came  to  the  Very  spot  wi.ere  the  child  cried,  and 


U 


I         St 


fll' 


^:        'it 


660 


APFBNDIX. 


*«»n 


Si 


If^ 


t 


there  he  halted,  put  down  hi«  gun,  and  was  at  this  time  so  near  that 
I  heard  tiie  wiping  stick  strike  against  his  giin  distinctly. 

My  getting  in  urjder  the  tree,  and  sheltering  myself  from  the  rain, 
and  pressing  my  boy  to  my  bosom,  got  him  warm,  and  most  provi- 
dentially  he  fell  asleep,  and  lay  very  still  during  the  time  of  my  dan- 
ger  at  that  time.  All  was  still  and  quiet,  the  savage  was  listening 
if  by  possibility  he  might  again  hear  the  cry  he  had  heard  before. 
My  own  heart  was  the  only  thing  I  feared,  and  that  beat  so  loud 
that  I  was  apprehensive  it  would  betray  me.  It  is  almost  impossi- 
ble  to  conceive  or  to  believe  the  wonderful  effect  my  situation  pro- 
duced upon  my  whole  system. 

After  the  savage  ..ad  stood  and  listened  with  nearly  the  still 
ness  of  death  for  two  hours,  the  sound  of  a  bell,  and  a  cry  like 
that  of  a  night-owl,  signals  which  were  given  to  him  from  his  savage 
companions,  induced  him  to  answer,  and  after  he  had  given  a  most 
horrid  yell,  which  was  calculated  to  harrow  up  my  soul,  he  started, 
and  went  off  to  join  them. 

After  the  retreat  of  the  savage  to  his  companions,  I  concluded  it 
unsafe  to  remain  in  my  concealed  situation  till  morning,  lest  they 
should  conclude  upon  a  second  search,  and  being  favored  with  the 
light  of  day  find  me,  and  either  tomahawk  or  scalp  me,  or  otherwise 
bear  me  back  to  my  captivity  again,  which  was  worse  than  death. 

But  by  this  time  nature  was  nearly  exhausted,  and  I  found  some 
difficulty  in  moving  from  my  situation  that  night ;  yet,  compelled 
by  necessity  and  a  love  of  self-preservation,  I  threw  my  coat  about 
my  child,  and  placed  the  end  between  my  teeth,  and  with  one  arm  and 
my  teeth  I  carried  the  child,  and  with  the  other  arm  groped  my  way 
between  the  trees,  and  travelled  on  as  I  supposed  a  mile  or  two,  and 
there  sat  down  at  the  root  of  a  tree  till  the  morning.  The  night  was 
cold  and  wet ;  and  thus  terminated  the  fourth  day  and  night's  diffi- 
culties, trials,  hunger,  and  danger. 

The  fifth  day,  Saturday,  26th  May,  wet  and  exhausted,  hungry 
and  wretched,  I  started  from  my  resting-place  in  the  morning  as 
soon  as  I  could  see  my  way,  and  on  that  morning  struck  the  head 
waters  of  Pine  Creek,  which  falls  into  the  Alleghany  about  four 
miles  above  Pittsburgh  ;  though  I  knew  not  then  what  waters  they 
were,  but  crossed  them,  and  on  the  opposite  bank  I  found  a  path, 
and  discovered  in  it  two  mockasin  tracks,  fresh  indented,  and  the 
men  who  had  made  them  were  before  me,  and  travelling  on  the  same 
direction  that  I  was  travelling.  This  alarmed  me  ;  but  as  they  were 
before  me,  and  travelling  in  the  same  direction  as  I  was,  I  concluded 
I  could  see  them  as  soon  as  they  could  see  me ;  and  therefore  I 
pressed  on  in  that  path  for  about  three  miles,  when  I  came  to  the 


'K 


:i.* 


APl'KNDIX. 


561 


forks  where  another  branch  emntif^  intr.  »i.  i 

a  h,.n.er'.  ca.p,  where  the  tlT^n/: ^o       r^t'l  Z,  iT  T 
covered  and  followed,  had  heen  and  kinT  .      «  "    ""^  '^"• 

and  had  left  the  fire  burning  '  '"''  ^^«'''^''^«^->. 

I  here  became  more  alarmed  nnd  /.o.«„  *  i 

leave  the  path.     I  then  aJn"  d  .hill   an    1'  f  ""^  "''^'-  *° 
Squaw  run,  and  came  «p„„  a    ra H  o    pati       H        r  "'°'  '^"'"^ 
..editated  what  to  do;  Ld  while  iTv^ls  "rin.    l""'^' ^^ 
deers  coming  toward  me  in  full  «peed  •  tlev  tnlTf ' ,    T""  '^''^ 
pursuers;  1  looked  too  with  all  a^tentiot^n        w  ^  "^1  ^'r 
sun,  and  then  heard  the  report  as  soon  a's  tie  gun  w  s  firtd      I 
saw  some  dogs  start  after  them,  and  began  to  look  aboTrfn/     k  , 
ter.  and  immediately  made  for  a  large  lot  and  h.d   ™/^'''  '^'^' 
but  most  providentially  I  did  not  J c  ^        he  o^h  r/'"'  ''' 
I  might  have  lost  my  life  by  the  bites  of  ratfir  ?'      .     ''°"''"' 
my  hand  to  the  ground  to  rai  e  my    ,f  t  It  "mT  T '"  '"  T  '  ''"' 
become  of  the  hunters  and  who  They  ve  el       ^      T  "'^'^  "^' 
rattlesnakes,  and  the  top  one  was  ve  l     '       ''"^  '    ^'^"  '""''  "' 
near  my  face,  and  ,uite  Vdy  l  brme '"'^ThTs     '""1  7  "'"^ 
leave  this  situation,  let  the  coLe.uelcest  ^JT.^lt  ""'  '' 

In  consequence  of  this  occurrence  I  a^afn  lof.  " 

ing  to  the  left,  and  came  upon   .he  head  fvat"  r    ofT  ""'"'  '"'• 
kept  down  the  run  the  remainder  of  that  dat  ''""'  '"'^ 

Durmgthedayitrained.andlwasinavervdpnlnrnH     •*     .• 
80  cold  and  shivering  were  my  limbs,  that  f  equen  r  ^         '"  ' 
to  all  my  struggles,  I  gave  an   involunt    v  g  oa;"^'/  sX";'" 
tensely  .his  day  from  hunger,  though  my  jaws';::r:\o'far  tTver:! 
from  the  injury  they  sustained  from  the  blows  of  th.  iL  1 

;vberever  I  could  I  procured  grape  vines.  ^:i:^^J:^^ 
tie  sustenance      In  the  evening  I  came  within  one  mile  of  the  lie 
ghany  river,  though  I  was  ignorant  of  it  nt  th.  .  . 

«,  my  6f,h  nighf,  lodging,  ;.„,,,„  „i„  ,„  Jf,'  ""  "' ' '»°'' 

In  lis  almost  helpleas  condition,  I  had  „„,  g„„o  ,•„  ^(^^  ,«  ^^ 
.0  .  P«.l.  where  (hero  had  to.  o..Ue  „a,elU„g,  I  .ookThe  pi! 


■    t» 


\, 


i 


;-■* 


562 


APPENDIX. 


•"  L 

!• 


m 


undnr  the  iinprcMion  that  it  would  lead  mo  to  tho  nbodo  of  some 
wiiUo  |)oo|)lo,  nnd  by  travelling  it  about  one  mile,  I  camo  to  an  im- 
inbabitr.'dciibin;  and  tliough  I  was  in  a  river  bottom,  yet  I  knew  not 
wbore  I  wng,  nor  yet  on  what  river  bank  I  bad  come.  Here  I  was 
Bcized  with  the  feelings  of  despair,  and  under  those  feelings  I  went 
to  the  throNlioid  of  tho  uninhabited  cabin,  and  concluded  that  I 
wouhl  enter  and  lie  down  and  die;  as  death  would  have  been  to  mo 
an  anijel  of  mercy  in  such  a  situation,  and  would  have  removed  mo 
from  all  my  misery. 

Such  were  my  feelings  at  this  distressing  moment,  and  had  it  not 
been  for  tho  recollection  of  those  Kufierings  which  my  infant  would 
endure,  who  would  survive  for  some  time  after  I  was  dead,  1  should 
have  carried  my  determination  into  execution.  Here,  too,  I  heard 
the  sound  of  a  cow.holl,  which  imparted  a  gham  of  hope  to  my  de. 
sponding  mind.  I  followed  the  sound  of  the  bell  till  \  came  opposite 
to  tho  fort  at  tho  Six  Mile  Island. 

When  I  camo  there,  I  saw  three  men  on  the  opposite  hank  of 
the  river.  My  feelings  at  the  sight  of  tlirdo  were  better  felt  than 
described.  I  called  to  tiie  men,  but  they  seemed  unwilling  to  risk 
the  danger  of  coming  uiler  me,  and  requested  to  know  who  I  was. 
I  replied  that  I  was  one  who  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  the  In- 
dians  on  tho  AlloKliany  river  on  last  Tuesday  morning,  and  had 
made  tny  escape  from  them.  They  requested  me  to  walk  up  tho 
bank  of  tho  river  for  a  while,  that  they  might  see  if  the  Indians  were 
making  a  decoy  of  me  or  not ;  but  I  replied  to  them  that  my  feet 
were  so  soro  that  I  could  not  walk. 

Then  one  of  thom,  James  Closier,  got  into  a  canoe  to  fetch  me 
over,  and  tho  other  two  stood  on  the  bank,  with  their  rifles  cocked, 
ready  to  fire  on  tho  Indians,  provided  they  were  using  me  as  a  decoy. 
Wlien  Mr.  Closier  came  near  to  the  shore,  a  id  saw  my  haggard  and 
dejected  situation,  he  exclaimed,  "  who,  ir  the  name  of  God,  are 
you  ?"  This  man  was  one  of  my  neares  neighbors  before  I  was 
taken  ;  yet  in  six  days  I  was  so  much  alt  .red  that  he  did  not  know 
me.  either  by  my  voice  or  my  countenance. 

When  I  landed  on  the  inhabited  side  of  the  river,  the  people  from 
the  fort  camo  running  out  to  the  boat  to  see  me :  they  took  the  child 
from  mo,  and  now  I  felt  safe  from  all  danger,  I  found  myself  unable 
to  move  or  to  assist  myself  in  any  degree :  whereupon  the  people 
took  me  and  carried  me  out  of  the  boat  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Cortus. 

Here,  wlii'n  I  felt  I  was  secure  from  the  ravoges  and  cruelties  of 
the  barbarians,  for  the  first  time  since  my  captivity  my  feelings  re- 
turned  with  all  their  poignancy.  When  I  was  dragged  from  my 
bod  and  from  my  home,  n   prisoner  with  the  savaees :  when  the  in- 


APPENDIX. 


5G3 


or.  .lo,oor...|I..,ncl  altervvanl  .seal,.,.!  him  l.oC.re  my  eyc-s  •  wlJn 
ly  took  a„<I  to,„ahawk..l,  soalpn.l.  „a,|  .,,,1..!  ano"^,  o'cV        ,n 
'"•'<'-'3n.eo„,!,o,.lan.|;  ami  whon.  with  s.il,  more  l.arbTrous  fco 
.n,s.  thoy  aforu-nr..  ma.lo  a  hoop.  .....l  sfnUcho.!  hi.  ..     o        •  t; 

yet.  wh.m  I  endure.!  hunger,  col.l.  and  nearly  nakednosJ  L  /t  th. 
-ne  .une  my  .nHu.t  mucking  my  very  hh  J  to  Z^:;  1 

:r  he  "•;.;;::::.::; '"-If;;"--  r-^  ^^---^ 

„         a  luxury.     And  it  is  more  than  probable,  that 
.earn  at  .heso  sea-ons  of  distresH  would   have  bee,  fata    in  tb         In 
scjuoncos;    ,.r  savages  despise  a  tear.     But   now  that  my  dan" 

the  t.,a>H  (I  no    Ireely,  an.l  imparted  a  happiness  beyond  what  I  evc.^ 
experienced  before,  or  ever  expect  to  experience  in  thi«  work. 

VVhen  I  was  taken  into  the  house,  having  been  so  Ion.  from  fire 
and  having  endured  so  much  from  hunger  fo^r  a  long  peri.^!.  the  Iil' 
of  t  e  fire,  and  the  smell  of  the  victuals,  which  thl-  kindn  ss  of  t"o 

S  Ze'oTf '"'"f  """  *°  "^^^'^'^  Tor  me,  caused  me  o 
faint.  Some  of  the  people  attempted  to  restore  me  and  some  of 
th-n  put  so.ne  clothes  upon  me.  i'ut  the  kindness  of  tlie.e  fr  end 
would  in  all  pro  ability,  have  killed  me,  had  it  not  been  ^t. 
prov.den  lal  arrival  (rom  down  the  river,  of  Major  M'CuIIey,  who  then 
comman  ed  the   ine  ah>ng  the  river.     When  he  came  d      w 

my  situation,  and  the  provisions  they  were  making  for  me.  he  I  eT 
came  greaUy  alarmed,  and  immediately  ordered  me  out  of  the  house, 
from  the  heat  ano  smell ;  prohibited  my  taking  any  thin,  hut  the 
whey  of  buttermilk,  and  that  in  very  small  quantifies,  wind 
ministered  wit  his  own  hands.  Through  Ls  judicious  ma.  ! 
ment  of  my  almost  lost  situation.  I  was  rnerci.ully  restored  aoaiu 
to  my  senses,  and  very  gradually  to  my  health  and  strength. 

Two  of  the  females,  Sarah  Carter  and  Mary  Ann  Crozier,  then 
began  to  take  out  the  thorns  from  my  feet  and  legs;  and  Mr.  Felix 
Negley  who  now  lives  nt  the  mouth  of  Bull  Creek,   twenty  mil  s 

ttrou;  ;t ' ''''' ''  ^"'  '^"""'^^ '"« ^•'--  -  ^'-  ~n"'  ^ 

them  out.  and  t  ere  were  one  hundred  and  fifty  drawn  out,  though 

Pi  M  t  ";  "''"''''  "'  ^'^^^  *''"^'  ''-  ^^''  --'  evening,  ^t 
Pittsburgh,  there  were  many  more  taken  out.    The  flesh  was  ma  igled 

slTn  ^'r^^"""^'^^^^--"  "'^^  ^^''^'^  ^-^  a  considerable  time. 
Some  of  the  thorns  went  through  my  ieet  and  came  out  on  the  top. 
For  two  weeks  I  was  unable  to  put  my  feet  to  the  ground  to  walk 

heat  of  the  sun,  to  which  my  almost  naked  body  was  exposed  by  day, 


.•»i^. 


m 

• 

1 

J 

1 

m 


ATr»rt*inx. 


ir  •'! 


^' 


im* 


TO 


togflth«f!f  with  my  carrying  my  child  so  lorij?  in  my  arms  wUhout 
any  relief,  und  any  shelter  from  the  heat  of  the  day  or  the  Htorms 
of  the  night,  caused  nearly  all  the  skin  of  my  body  to  come  off,  «o 
that  my  I  ody  was  raw  nearly  all  over. 

The  news  of  my  arrival  at  the  station  spread  with  great  rapidity. 
The  two  spies  took  the  intelligence  that  evening  as  l.ir  as  Coe's  sta- 
tion, and  the  next  morning  to  Reed's  station,  to  my  husband. 

As  the  intelligence  spread,  the  town  of  Pittsburgh,  und  the  coun- 
try  for  twenty  miles  round,  was  all  in  a  state  of  commotion.  Aboirt 
sunset  the  same  evening,  my  husband  came  to  see  me  in  Pittsburgh, 
and  I  was  taken  back  to  Coe's  station  on  Tuesday  morning.  In 
the  evening  I  gave  the  account  of  the  murder  of  my  boy  on  the 
island.  The  next  morning  (Wednesday)  there  was  a  scout  went 
out,  and  found  it  by  my  direction,  and  buried  it,  after  being  murder, 
ed  nine  days. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  John  ConnLv,  a  Baptist  Minister,  to  his 
friend  in  Philaih.^ ■  hia,  dtUed 

Muddy  Creek,  Ponn.  Sept.  I,  1702. 
"Dear  Sir, 
••  The  following  are  the  particulars  of  the  destruction  of  my  un- 
fortunate family  by  the  savages:— On  the  lOlh  May  last,  being  my 
appointment  to  preach  at  one  of  my  meeting  houses,  about  a  mile 
from  my  dwelling-house,  I  sot  out  with  my  loving  wife  and  five 
children  for  public  worship.  Not  suspecting  any  danger,  I  walked 
behind  a  few  rods,  with  my  Bible  in  my  hand,  meditating.  As  I 
was  thus  employed,  on  a  sudden  I  was  greatly  alarmed  by  the  shrieks 
of  my  dear  family  before  me.  I  immediately  ran  to  their  relief  with 
all  possible  speed,  vainly  hunting  a  club  as  I  ran.  When  iiiu  u 
few  yards  of  them,  my  poor  wife  observing  me,  cried  out  ,  ok  If. 
make  mv  escape.  At  this  instant  an  Indian  ran  up  to  ah>.ot  me.  I 
had  to  strip,  and  by  so  doing  outran  him.  My  wife  had  an  infant 
in  her  arms,  which  the  Indians  killed  and  scalped.  After  which  they 
srr"  ;;<  my  wife  several  times,  but  not  bringing  her  to  the  ground,  the 
liid.-  V.  ho  attempted  to  shoot  me  approached  her,  and  shot  her 
thioio.v.  ,1-.  ody-  t  fter  which  they  scalped  her.  My  little  son,about 
BIX  veil  r.i  'm  ''  V  dispatched  by  sinking  their  hatchets  in  his  brains. 
My  i't.iy  ;."Jg liter,  four  ^  ■;  -p  old,  they  in  like  manner  tomahawked 
and  scalped.  My  eldfest  daughter  attempted  an  escape  by  concealing 
herself  in  a  hollow  tree,  about  six  rods  from  the  fatal  scene  of  action. 
Observing  the  Indians  retiring,  as  she  supposed,  she  deliberately 
crept  from  the  place  of  her  concealment,  when  one  of  the  Indians, 
who  yet  remained  on  the  ground,  espying  her,  ran  up  to  her,  and 


\U 


Ari'KNDIX. 


r,Q5 


God  IZ  '^""'^'T'  ''"""  ""•'  -«'n«'J '--     »•'<.  Moss...!  IK, 

f  od  she  yet  ,„rv.ve.  u«  dooH  her  little  nistcr  whom  the  sava...  in 

I    e  n.  ..nor  torna  awked  and  sculped.     They  arc  n.angleS  to  a 

Jhock.,  .-^r-.^  hut  the  doctors  think  there  are  son.  hope'of  tl^i^ 

"  Wh.n  I  m.pposod  the  Indians  gone.  I  returned  to  sec  what  had 
become  ..f  ,„y  unfortunate  family,  whom,  alas  !  I  foundTn  "      itu 
.on  above  descr.  ed.     No  one.  my  dear  friend,  can  form"  tel 

nTtrhfZf ''"^r'  '''  '""'"°"''     ^  --f-eene  ^sho I" 
iOK  to  h  .mamty  qu.to  overcome  me.      I   fainted,  and  was  uncon 

scou^  V    orneon-hya  friend,  who  at  that  instant  a;rivod  ;",": 

:  ^h"f.  dear  s.r.  have  I  given  you  a  faithful,  though  a  short  na 
at.ve  of  the  fata  catastrophe  ;  amidst  which  my  lift  is  spare  ,1 
for  what  purpose  the  Great  Jehovah  he.t  knows.'  Oh.  m  y  I  nd 
to  the  pra.se  and  glory  of  His  grace,  who  worketh  all  things  Iter 
t  e  counsel  of  h.s  own  will.  The  government  of  the  world  L  t 
church  .s  .„  h.s  hands.  I  conclude  with  wishing  you  every  bles ZT 
and  subscr.be  myself  your  affectionate  though  atilictedSe„rZ 
unworthy  brother  in  the  gospel  ministry,  '     "'' 

"  John  Cobbiy  ' 


No.  IX. 


[Reference  from  Page  376.] 

Miamis  Rapids,  May  7th.  1794. 
Two  Depufe.  fro,n  the  Three  Nations  of  the  Giaize  arrived  here 
yesterJ...  w.th  a  speech  from  the  Spaniards,  brought  by  the  Dela 
wares  residing  near  their  posts,  which  was  repeated  in  a  council 
held  this  day,  to  the  following  nations  now  at  this  place,  viz  :— 
Wyandots,  Mingoes. 

Ottawas,  Munseys, 

Chippawas,  Nanticokea. 

GrAND-CHILDHEN  and  BRETHSE^f, 

We  are  just  arrived  from  the  Spanish  settlements  upon   the  M\b 
siss.ppi.  and  are  come  to  mform  you  what  they  have  said  to  us  in  a 
late  council.     These  are  their  words  : 

Children  Delawares.  Six  Strings  White  Wcmjmi, 

0:>-  "  Pointing  to  this  country."     When  you  first  came  from  that 

country  to  ask  my  protection,  and  when  you  told  me  you  had  escap. 

e<.  from  the  heat  of  a  great  fire  that  was  like  to  scorch  you  to  death 

I  took  you  by  the  hand  and  under  my  protection,  and  told  you  to 


5GG 


APPENDIX. 


IW 


^K^*^ 

^V'" 

^k:> 

B.. 

^H:^*« 

^^■":-«i 

■B^'-' 

^■kj^ 

^B-:'} 

^m"< 

i'! 


look  about  for  a  piece  of  land  to  hunt  on  and  plant  for  the  support 
of  yourselves  and  families  in  this  country,  which  the  Great  Spirit 
had  given  for  our  mutual  benefit  and  support.  1  toM  you  at  thesamo 
time  that  I  would  watch  over  it,  and  when  any  thing  threatened  us 
with  danger,  that  I  would  immediately  speak  to  you  ;  and  that  when 
I  did  speak  to  you,  that  it  would  beiiove  you  to  be  strong  and  listen 
to  my  words.  Delivered  six  Strings  White  Wampum. 

The  Spaniard  then,  addressing  himself  to  all  ttie  nations  who 
were  present,  said, — 

Children,  These  were  my  words  to  all  the  nations  here  prespn*, 
as  well  as  to  your  grand-fatiicrs.  the  Dclawares.  Now,  Cliildren,! 
have  called  you  togetlierto  communicate  to  you  certain  intelligence 
of  a  la  r^e  force  assembling  on  the  Shawinoe  river  to  invade  our 
country.  It  has  given  me  very  great  satisfaction  to  observe  the 
strong  confederacy  formed  among  you,  and  I  have  no  doubt  of  your 
ready  assistance  to  repel  this  force. 

CiiiLDRKN,  You  see  me  now  on  my  feet,  and  grasping  the  toma. 
hawk  to  strike  them. 

Childken,  We  will  strike  them  together.  I  do  not  desire  you  to 
go  before  me,  in  the  front,  but  to  follow  me.  These  people  have  too 
lone  disturbed  our  country,  and  have  extinguished  many  of  our 
council. fires.  They  are  but  a  trifling  people  compared  to  the  white 
people  now  combined  against  them,  and  determined  to  crush  them 
for  their  evil  deeds.  They  must  by  this  time  be  surrounded  with  ene. 
mil's,  as  all  the  white  nations  are  against  them.  Your  French  Fa- 
ther also  speaks  through  me  to  you  on  this  occasion,  and  tells 
you  that  those  of  his  subjects  who  have  joined  the  Big-knives,  are 
only  a  few  of  his  disobedient  children  who  have  joined  the  disobe- 
dient in  this  country  ;  but  as  we  are  strong  and  unanimous,  we  hope, 
by  the  assistance  of  the  Great  Spirit,  to  put  a  stop  to  their  mischie- 
vous  desif^ns.  Delivered  a  bunch  Black  Wampum. 

CiiiLDJiEX,  Now  I  present  you  with  a  war-pipe,  which  has  been 
sent  in  all  our  names  to  the  Musquakics,  and  all  those  nations  who 
live  toward  the  setting  of  the  sun,  to  get  upon  their  feet  and  take 
hold  of  our  tomahawk  ;  and  as  soon  as  they  smoked  it  tiiey  sent  it 
back,  with  a  promise  to  get  immediately  on  their  feet  to  join  us  and 
strike  this  enemy.     Their  particular  answer  to  me  was  as  follows: 

"  Father,  We  have  long  seen  the  designs  of  the  Big-knives 
"  a<Tainst  our  country,  and  also  of  some  of  our  own  color,  particularly 
"  the  Kaskaskies,  who  have  always  spoke  with  the  same  tongue  as  the 
"  Bi<r-knives.  They  mu.st  not  escape  our  revenge  ;  nor  must  you, 
"  Father,  endeavor  to  prevent  our  extirpating  them.  Two  other 
•  tribes  of  our  color,  the  Piankishaws  and  the  Cayaughkiaas.who  have 


APPENDIX. 


667 


tions  who  have  so  Ion.  been  st  nil     "■  '  ^^"''^  "'"'^'''^^  "'■»■ 

now  sit  attheGlaixe      Tell  tl       f     ',    ''  "'"''  "^"""•-^'  ■'^"'^  -''« 
it  to  all  the  Lake   n  lians  "      ""?''-  "''^  '•'•'^^'  ^^  ^«  ^--rd 

will  be  wantin,.  to        .  ^I      ;''"  ""'"""  '"•^"'-" '  ^^en  notl.in,. 

the  blow  wo  are  .oin.  to  „X  ^^-'^y  to  add  strength  to 

C.ULDRK.v,  I  now  deliver  vn,'.      Yr  ^'^"'^'•''^ '^  War.Pipe. 

l^ees.  and  Choctaw:  a^^  CI  a  .^^1;:  f'?^  '^  ^-'-'  ^hero. 
i"   uniting  yourselves;  and  tell    „u"t  '  f"  '°  '"  '*^'""» 

hear  you  have  been  so  unanim  us  „  i  '"'""  *'"'"  "'^"'^"^'^  ^° 
tber;  and  they  acquaint  yo  latTh  ,"'""  ^«  y"""- ^P'-^'^h  Fa- 
and  that  there  are  eleven  naionf    T   ''^^'''^ '^'•^^  J-'-^d    to  ours. 

their  .et,  with  the  haX:::z:;::,r::s^^ 

mon  enemy.  '  "  ^^  ^'tnke  our  corn- 

The  Deputies  of  the  Three  NationstftW?'"'  of  Wampum. 
the  above  speeches  fron.  the  Spall^  I^  1    T  h'  '"^"T  ^P^"'^'"» 
several  nations  in  council,  in  the  fo^otinT^r  '^"'"'^^^  '^  ''^ 

-n  as  theyheardTll^L'r  S^rptT"''';'^'""'^  "^ 
giad,  and  they  determined  to  step  to  ward  and  f  •"'  '""''  ^'^'"^ 
the  advice  sent  them.     They  deL  v^  o  f       ^1  T""  '''^'="^'«" 

striking  them.  '"  ^'"^  "^  «"  opportunity  of 

BKOTH.ns.  Our  Grand-fathers  thp  n  l         ^"^''"^'•^^  '^«  ^'/'e- 
late  council  at  the  Glaize  o„   h  1 1     ^^'l^^^^^^^^P^ke  first  in  our 
painted  Black  Wan.num   anH  '^      f        P"'"'"'^  ''''^"'^^«  ^"''  '"is 

lue  vvyandots,  that,  a.s  thevarp  niircM^,  ■       u  - 

uie^  are  our  elder  urcthren,  and  took  the  lead 


An, 


*.M 


1« 


568 


APPENDIX. 


in  all  our  affairs  last  summer,  it  was  thought  strange  that  none  of 
them  were  now  there  to  put  the  resolution  then  formed  into  exe- 
cution. It  is  true,  some  of  th  m  went  last  Fall  when  it  was  thought 
too  late,  and  the  assemhiing  of  the  nations  put  off  till  spring  ;  hut 
the  spring  is  now  far  advanced,  and  none  of  them  have  yet  come. 

Delivered  the  Tobacco  and  Wampum. 
Egouchouay  answered  for  all  the  nations  present : — 
Brothers,  I  am  happy  at  the  good  news  you  have  told  us,  and 
we  will  immediately  go  and  collect  all  our  people,  and  be  with  you  as 
soon  as  possible. 

(Signed)  A.  McKee,  D.  A.  I.  A 

A  true  copy,  Thomas  Talbot. 


No.  X. 


2> 


It** 


111 


l|U 


'h 


^iS'ifi 


w 


[Reference  from  Page  406.] 

The  Chiefs  to  Sir  John  Johnson. 

«  Grand  River,  Feb.  6,  1802. 
"  Our  Dear  Friend, 
«  We  take  the  opportunity  of  Moses  Johnson's  going  to  Canada, 
to  trouble  you  with  this  the  easiest  method  that  the  distance  of  our 
situation  from  each  other  allows  of,  to  communicate  our  sentiments 
to  you.  We  wish  to  acquaint  you,  that  last  Fall,  at  our  usual  meet, 
ing  at  the  beach,  we  made  a  speech  to  Captain  Claus,  which  he  has 
not  yet  fully  answered.  It  was  principally  respecting  the  letter  you 
wrote  to  Captain  Brant,  when  you  was  at  Niagara  last  summer, 
which  we  were  sorry  to  find  so  severe  ;  and  as  we  are  sensible  that 
he  has  never  attempted  any  thing  to  the  detriment  of  the  British  in- 
terest,  we  were  much  surprised  to  find  that  his  conduct  seemed  to 
give  umbrage  there.  As  to  the  uneasiness  you  mentioned  prevailed 
at  Grand  River,  we  are  entirely  ignorant  of  any  such  thing  among 
us  who  manage  the  alTuirs  of  the  tribes  living  here  ;  and  as  lie  is 
our  aj)pointed  agent,  he  yet  never  acts  without  our  approbation  in 
whatever  regards  the  public;  consequently,  if  any  of  his  transac- 
tions have  given  offence,  we  are  all  equally  culpable.  Therefore,  if  cus- 
toms are  so  much  changed  with  you,  that  the  following  the  tracks  of 
our  predecessor  gives  umbrage,  we  hope,  from  our  ancient  friendsln'p, 
you  will  inform  us  wherein  it  injures  the  interests  of  our  brethren, 
for  then  our  regard  for  their  welfare  will  cause  us  to  desist ;  and  if 
there  is  a  change  in  politics,  don't  let  us  remain  ignorant  of  it ;  for 


but 


APPENDIX. 


5G9 


Ignorance  might  cause  us  unwittinelv  fn  aiv^  ^<r 

that  not  long  ago  a  friendiv  cZ  a    ^  "'°*     ^'  >"«"  '^"«"' 

rentnationsiLd     liv^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

of  the  same  sentimentsfforv^cldnr'    •'>'""'  ""  ^"  '""''" 
much   pains  to  be-^in    7nJ!  ° '^'^ '^'"'^  ^''"'' ^^«  t«»k«o 

hope  you  will  do  us  the  favor  f„llv  f„  /  "  *'"^'''  ^« 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be 

"  Your  humble  and  most  obed't  servt., 
,,_    ,  .  "Aaron  Hill. 

"In  behalf  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Mo. 
hawk,  Oghkwagn,  Onondaga,  Cayugu, 
and  beneca  Nations,  living  on  the 
Grand  River." 


(Signed) 


V' 


No.  XI. 
[Reference  from  Page  411.] 
Governor  Clinton  to  Captain  Brant. 
"  Dear  Sir,  "  Greenwich,  U:  December,  1700. 

«  On  my  return  from  the  country  about  a  mnnM.  „        t 
vored  with  your  letter  of  the  4th  of  S  pteUer  T"  ^''' 

fied  by  the  determination  you   express  oftn  ".I  '     "'m '"""''  *-"''^^'- 
with  H,e  information  he  r/questedT.ou   ^^^ul  "^  '""" 

for  which  it  is  wanted  is  pVsin^:  l^   iV    ^j^ 
soon.     I  ,,        fi,         ,^  ^^.„  ^^^^  ^  ^^.^  ^_^^  bono     r  1  Vf  it 

ns  requested,  to  Mr.  Peter  w!  Yates  of  IZT     U^^^  ^rZ^ 
you,  I  presume  you  will  find,  from  the  copy  I  now  incW    i  u 

have  been  satisfactory;  but  as  a  particu  L  S  ^l ,' ,7 
between  the  Coghnawagoes  and  me"  respecting^  r  I  :T 

« In  the  Winter  of  1792-1793.  our  Legislature  being  in  «es..on  i„ 
^OL.  11.  88 


;4 


In 


p 
6..:j 


570 


APPENDIX. 


Albany,  a  committee  from  the  seven  nations  or  tribes  of  Lower 
Canada  attended  tberc,  witli  wliom  I  li'id  sevenil  conferences. 
They  complained  that  some  of  our  people  had  seitled  on  their  lands 
near  Lake  Cliamplain  and  on  the  River  St.  Lawrence,  and  request, 
ed  that  Commi-isioniirs  misfht  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  matter, 
and  treat  with  them  on  the  subject.  In  my  answer  to  their  speeches 
I  mentioned  that  it  was  difficult  to  define  their  rights  and  their  boim. 
daries  ;  that  it  was  to  be  presumed  that  the  Indian  rights  to  a  con. 
siderablo  part  of  the  lands  on  the  borders  of  the  lake  had  been  ev 
tinguished  by  the  French  Government  before  the  conquest  of  Canada, 
as  those  lands,  or  the  greater  part  of  them,  had  been  granted  to  indi- 
viduals by  that  government  before  that  period.  In  their  reply,  they 
described  their  southern  boundaVy  as  commencing  at  a  creek  or  run 
of  water  between  Forts  Edward  and  George,  which  empties  into 
Sruth  Bay,  and  from  thence  extending  on  a  direct  line  to  a  large 
meadow  or  swamp,  where  the  Canada  Creek,  which  empties  into  the 
Mohawk  opposite  Fort  Hendrick,  the  Black  and  Oswegalchie  Rivers 
have  their  sources.  Upon  which  I  observed  to  them  that  *:his 
line  would  interfere  with  lands  patented  by  the  British  Government 
previous  to  the  Revolution,  and  particularly  mentioned  Totten  and 
Crossfield's  purchase  and  Jessup's  patent ;  but  I  mentioned,  at  the 
same  time,  that  I  was  neither  authorised  nor  disposed  to  controvert 
their  claims,  which  I  would  sulimit  to  tlie  Legislature,  who  I  could 
not  doubt  would  pay  due  attention  to  them,  and  adopt  proper  mea. 
sures  to  effect  a  settlement  with  them  upon  fair  and  liberal  terms. 
This  f  accordingly  did  ;  and  some  time  after  Commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed  to  treat  with  them  in  the  presence  of  an  agent  of  the  United 
States,  the  result  of  which  I  find  you  are  informed  of.      • 

»'  I  believe  you  will  readily  agree  that  no  inference  could  be  drawn 
from  any  thing  that  passed  on  the  above  occasion  to  coimlenance 
the  charge  made  against  your  nations.  The  mentioning  and  inter- 
ference  of  their  boundaries,  as  above  stated,  with  tracts  patented 
jnder  the  British  Colonial  Government,  could  certainly  have  no  allu- 
sion to  the  cessions  made  by  the  Six  Nations,  or  either  of  them,  to 
the  state ;  especially  as  (if  I  recollect  right)  those  cessions  are  of  the 
territory  of  the  respective  nations  by  whom  they  were  made  without 
defining  them  by  any  particular  boundaries,  and  subject  only  to  the 
reservations  described  in  the  deed. 

«'  I  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  transmit  you  copies  of  their  speeches 
and  my  answers  at  full  length  ;  but  it  is  not,  for  the  reasons  men- 
tioned in  my  former  letter.  Should  they,  however,  be  deemed 
necessary  by  you,  I  will  endeavor  to  procure  and  forward  them.    In 


fi  i 


APPENDIX. 


r.71 


hi 


"I  am,  with  great  regard  and  esteem, 

"  Your  most  obed't  servant, 
**  Col.  Joseph  Brant."  "  ^^°'  ^wnton. 


No.  xir. 

[Reference  from  Page  416.J 
CERTIFICATE  OP  GENERAL  CFIAPIN 

i^een  with  him  in   tr  a  L     I'd  Tz  *''"''"''  '"^^  ^'^^-^^'^Y 

ti.e  United  State,  a^t  e  Fit    C"^  "^*--  '^e  people  o'f 

ti-  aforcud.  mv  father.  Isra  Ch  ,  i„  F  "L  J"'^' ^-'"«'he 
Indian  nflairs  for  the  Five  ZtL  7  '.  "^^  ^'^'^  '^'  "^^^^  «f 
of  the  United  State   -ami  d     r   .  '""''  '""'''  *''«  ^^^''^-t 

■several  times  .n  the  St  te  i  .t  '  .'''""'-"'  ^"'^'"'"  «-"^  -«« 
At  one  time,  in  partie  a  r'w  ;  ru^;!  ^'""^  ^'  ""^"*•^^"^- 
of  the  United  States  for  the  „m,  .        r        ^'  '""  "^Government 

-storing  the  Indians  tn'oTtfe  UnT d's7  T  "^^'^"^  ^- 
peace;  which  visit  occasion^r       '^'^^""^'^  States  to  a  general 

Captain  Brant  by  certa  Z  "t  '''''T"''"'  '^^'^'^''^^  ^^^-^ 
he  belonged.  That  hrom'h  tV  '  '''"•''"^  '"  '''^  ''''-'"-«  -here 
lousies  have  arite  no  o  ,V  "  '"'"'^""  "'  '"'""  P— 'J-- 
'-  own  also.  Tiit  t  .e  i'fa  oT"'  '  rT-  "'"'^  '"°P''''  ^"'  '--« 
awakened;  and  solelv  uoon  H     ""  '^  '^"^  "^"  P^'^P'«  ««•«  easily 

Indian  .r^s  to  t:::z  iiris^)^  ^'^;i,:;T  7'-'i  -  ^^ 

with  some  others  residino- „;;,K-    *,  /"'"*"«  Seneca  Indians, 

-ho  have  had  -he  c^^  ^  I  't  co  V  "' M  ^'  of  the  United  States 
tions' lands,  and  have'Ii  ,  Lrd:  titr'"'  °^ '^^^^- ^- 
the  people  of  the  United  States  anmnl Iv  •  \  '"''  '""""'''  '"'"'" 
principal  actors  in  deposin.  I  m  T^^  L  "  '  T '?  '"^"  ''^^"  ^''« 
succeeded  him  in  thp  nffl  "  I-  ^'  "'^  ''<'^'''  o<'  "'y  father  I 

inclining  to  alienate  himself    omfhB       i'"  """'' " '"  '"-"  ^"^'^ 

'  "  ^^^  ^'  '^'»''  govoriiment,  or  in  doing 


ii\ 


.''■» 


H.i4 


i 


572 


APPENDIX. 


any  tiling  that  might  be  prejudicial  to  the  Indians ;  on  the  other  hand, 
he  has  frankly  avowed  that  he  would  stiiMiuously  adhere  to  the  Go- 
vernment  and  interest  of  the  people  to  which  he  belonged  ;  that  his 
honor  and  friendship  for  the  Indian  nations  were  so  near  his  heart, 
that  nothing  should  occasion  him  to  do  any  thing  incompatible  with 
Iiis  duty  ;  and  that  his  own  time  and  troul)le  have  been  expended  and 
greatly  prolonged  in  doing  every  thing  in  his  power  to  promote  the 
interest  of  his  nation  and  those  allied  to  tliem.  And  Captain  Brani 
having  called  on  me  to  certify  my  opinion  as  aforesaid,  I  am  free  to 
declare  to  any  who  may  be  concerned,  that  from  a  long  and  inti- 
mate acquaintance  I  have  good  reason  to  make  the  remarks  as 
aforesaid. 

Israel  Chapin, 
Agent  of  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Five  Nations, 

Canandaigua,  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State  of  N.  Y.,  Oct.  28th,  1805. 


in 


No.  XIII. 


""•» 
''%» 


[Refkrenck  from  Page  417.] 

CERTIFICATE  OF  CAPTAIN  LEONARD  AND  OTHERS. 

We,  the  subscribers,  certifv,  that  in  the  month  of  April  last  there 
came  to  Fort  Niagara  about  forty  Seneca  Indians,  among  whom 
were  the  Farmer's  Brother,  Red  Jacket,  Jack  Berry,  and  other 
Chiefs.  While  at  Niagara,  detained  l)y  ice,  we  heard  them  say  in 
public  and  private  conversation,  that  they  were  going  into  Upper 
Canada  for  the  express  purpose  of  breaking  Captain  Brant,  a  Mo- 
hawk  Chief.  We  also  certify  that  the  Seneca  Chiefs  above  named 
reside  within  the  United  States. 

Given  under  our  hands  at  Fort  Niagara,  this  20th  day  of  Octo. 

her  1805. 

W.  Leonard,  Capt.  U.  S.  Artillery, 
G.  Armistead,  Lieut.  U.  S.  Artillery, 
H.  M.  Allen,  Lieut.  U.  S.  Artillery, 
Robert  Lee,  Col.  of  the  Revenue. 


Jl 


APPBNDIX, 


573 


No.  XIV. 
*ga.,  Cny„„„as,  S,..„ec„.  ,,n,l  •'!  '"»''"'l'».On»ydas,  Onon. 

«»".-Tu,„,re„  i>.ia:::,",::;d  Nr:;:;:-  °"' "-'"""''"''  '""'■ 

Present, 

Lieut.  Col.  Brock,  49t|i  »-„'/    n 

Willinm  PI         r.         1[     ^      Commanding, 

Lieut.  Stretton,  40th  Rcgimcnl. 
VVilliain  Dickson,  Esq. 
Richard  Beasksy,  E^^, 
Alexander  Stewart,  Esq. 

Mr.  W.  I.  Chow,  Slorelheper  and  CI.  i.  r  ^• 
Benj.  Fairchild,  i  ^       ^  ^^"*  ^«''^««  ^e/J 

J.  B.  Rousseau,  J  ^"^^n^rctera  Indian  Dep 
^,^  The  Deputy  Superintendent  Genera,  addressed  the  Chiefs  as  foi 

p.a!:r r  :^L7jrz^:;;T;;^  -  -t  ^ou  at  this 

tins  day,  to  renew  our  as^uZZ/f.^fr^^^ 

continue  uninterrupted  as  lo.^::^  ^^^^^  '''^''  ^  '-P«  -^ 

I  d.spel  the  darkness  which  hangs  over  you  hv 
many  losses.     I  most  heartily  wish  vr...  ^       ^  '■''•''^°"  °^  y^""" 

sicy;  so  that  vou  may  he  ablo  to  ! '  "'''/'T^'''  «e'ene and  clear 

ing  to  the  sun.settmg.  '°"  ^  ""'"  ^'''^'^'^  ^ron,  the  sun-hs- 

Bkkthre.v,  I  must  admonish  nn,»  „vi     4. 
times,  but  more  especially"      LL;"'  '?  /''^^  >°'^  -'"  "t  all 
and  cast  away  all  discords,  jea  1  ?;  l"'",'  '''"'  >'"-  '--ts 

-.y  subsist  among  you,  o/i,;  '7  ^^'n  ^Zf"'^  ''''^^' 

raise  in  your  breasts.  ^  '^'"'^  ^^^  endeavor  to 

I  therefore,  with  this  Wampum,  make  thi  ■  r        •, 
from  every  thing  offensive,  und^oeThat  you  wm  :"""",''"" 
snake  may  creep  in  amonir  >.«  J        ?.  ^  '  ''*''''  *="'"^  that  no 

harmony.  ^  "«  "'*'  ""'  ""y  """ff  that  n>ay  obstruct  our 

Bkethrkn,   I  have  but  a  f^w  wonl«  f.         f"'""^  ""^  Tram;>ttm. 
said  the  easier  you  will  unde r^t^n         .  "'''"''■  "'  ''''  ^'''''  ^^at  is 
about  the  time  yo',.  co  „  T./"  '    '^  T^  7'"P-''end.     Last  year, 
.T   J.  tujii  was  getting  hard,  I '  - '   ■ 


had  the  pleasure  of  see- 


In*' 


■fif    if 


f  ^ 

1  Ii 

r  i 

♦t 


"»••, 


11' 


::? 

'.'I 


574 


APPENDIX. 


ing  you  at  tie  Kin^,  your  Great  Tatlicr's  council-firc  at  Niaga- 
Yiu  I  then  addressed  you  on  the  business  of  your  land  transactions. 
I  i'nl^jrmed  you  tlu-n  tliat  (Joneral  Hunter  had  taiion  your  alVairs 
into  his  most  dcUherate  consideration,  and  what  tlie  result  cf  those 
considerations  were. 

Since  that  time  some  people  have  come  forward  to  pay  for  the 
township  which  was  sold  to  Mr.  Beasley  and  his  associates;  and 
tlie  only  thinj,' which  now  remains  upon  tiie  minds  of  your  trustees, 
and  which  they  cannot  answer  for,  (unless  you,  in  the  most  puhl'c 
manner,  express  your  satisf\iction,)  is  the  statement  made  hy  Mr. 
Beasley  of  monies  said  to  have  been  paid  on  your  account  to  your 
agent,  Captain  Brant, 

I  will  here  explain  to  you  the  sums  said  to  have  been  paid  ;  and 
if  you  are  satisfied,  the  necessary  discharges  will  then  be  given,  and 
your  business,  I  hope,  carried  on  in  future  more  to  your  satistaction, 
and  also  of  the  others  concerned. 

Brethren,  The  following  sums  arc  stated  by  Mr.  Beasley  to  have 
been  paid  by  hin),  and  boards  delivered  by  his  order. 

[Here  follows  the  statement  of  the  pecuniary  transactions  of  Cap. 
tain  Brant,  as  the  agent  of  the  Mohawk  Nation,  which  there  is  no 
occasion  to  transcribe  in  this  place.] 

If  you  wish  to  consult  among  yourselves  before  you  give  your 
anssver,  as  I  wish  you  to  do,  I  shall  wait  until  you  are  ready,  as  it 
is  necessary  that  this  business  should  come  to  a  close ;  but  do  not 
let  us  hurrv,.  take  time  and  weigh  tiie  matter  well ;  if  you  are  satis- 
fied  that  tiie  statement  of  the  account  is  just,  I  will  lay  before  you  a 
paper  to  sign,  which  shall  be  explained  to  you,  that  you  may  per- 
fectly  comi)rehend  and  understand  it. 

I  must  farther  inlorm  you,  that  I  hope  every  man  that  attends 
for  the  purpose  of  executing  the  above  papers  may  keep  from  liquor, 
as  1  am  determined  no  name  shall  appear  there,  unless  the  whole 
council  are  perfectly  sober.  ,       ,     rr-     . 

Before  we  cover  the  fire  to-day,  I  must  inform  you  that  the  King  s 
Council,  with  the  approbation  of  General  Hunt-jr,  have  given  th(>m. 
selves  a  great  deal  of  pains  in  inquiring  and  seeing  that  jastice 
should  be  done  to  the  Six  Nations  in  this  business,  for  which  I  am 
confident  you  will  acknowledge  yourselves  sensible. 

I  have  further  to  mention  to  you,  that  the  Governor  in  Council 
have  thought  it  for  the  advantage,  benefit,  and  interest  of  the  Six 
Nations,  that  Sir  John  Johnson  should  be  added  as  a  Trustee  for  the 
Six  Nations,  but  it  is  left  for  you  to  consider  and  say  whether  he  is, 
or  is  not,  to  be  added  to  those  who  are  now  acting  for  you. 


APPKNinX. 


575 


I  shall  now  retire,  and  uhon  vo„  h-^vo  fin"  ,    i 
be  ready  to  attend  you.     [LaJe  nZ"  ,7^""^  '"""'"'"^''  '  «'"^" 

f "''  ^-.  Present  tuL:::;:j^;^j^"^^"'^'^ 

I  am  ,„uch  paused  that  vou  have  sn  o,      ,* 
f  «a.d  to  you  yesterday,  and  as  vo  ■  an  ^^^  '^"'"Prohended  «hnt 

or  tl.e  account  as  justfthe  ZZr^ZT'^'T'  '"  """"•' 
necessary  for  your  principal  peonlo  tl  .^"'"""  "'"'"^  '^  ^*'"'    ^'^ 

In>-ttell   you  that  your  eej^^"  V     ''"'*"'»'' '"^ 
f-.n  ,„e  the  warmest 'sense  o7ti:::  ^V^'^f '"f  <•-  -draws 
preserve  your  esteem  and   regard  ami  v  """■  '"^'''°'"  *° 

rr.y  constant  exertions  shall  l>e  for  ^oTr  in^       T''T'  "■^"'"''^^  "'^'^ 
.  VVe,  the  Sachems  and  princi  Tl  W        Sf  W  '  '^^""^•^•^• 
C'pal  women  of  the  Six  Nations  h..       T         *  Warriors,  and  prin. 

-tion  the  said  account,  frdTrv^  ^  liTtl""  ""7  ^""^•'^- 
entries  therein,  and  the  wholp  U  •  7"'"^^  *''«  several  items  and 
dullest  .nanner.'deela  at  :";::,?  ^^^^^  ^'--^  '«  -  in  the 

I'end  the  same  ;  do  hereby  unanL^^^  understand  and  cornpre. 

-e ;  and  do  fully  adt:?::;:^:^;:: r--' --r  -' 

money  set  down  and  charged  in  th^      7"  ''^  '''^''™'  ^'^'"^  «f 

by  Mr.  Beasley,  to  and   I  the  use  IftCTt  "'  '"^^''"^"'^  "'^'^ 
and  truly  made;   and  that  the  bo-,rd,  n  "^  "''  '"^''^  '"''^"y 

-me  accounts  were  actuall/fuLi "ht  h     ^^^'t'^'^  ^'""^"^'^  '"  "'« 
for  the  use  of  the  Six  NatioL.  ^  ^''  ^^"'^'^•^'  "'««  '«  and 

In  testimony  whereof  fho  or  • . 
Chiefs.  Warriors,  and  pri^p  Tot  'TT'^  ^^""'^'^"'  ^^" 
behalf  of  the  Body  of  the  sa  d  L  V T"  ''''  ^^'^  ^^''^'°"'^'  '" 
(done  in  tripuiate)set  our  hands  and  !ffiT'  "'"  '°  ^'"^^^  P''^««"'^ 
House  at  the  Mohawk  Vill  „  o„  "iII^'^h  p'  "'^'^  ^'  ^'^^  ^°""-' 
June,  in  the  year  of  our  Urd  isil  "'7^'^'^-'  '^is  iiOth  day  of 
Majesty's  reign.  '    ®°^'  ""'^  forty.fourth  year  of  his 


Tekarihoken 
Thaweyogearat 
Oghnaongoghton 
Ologlisoronge 


his 

X 
mark 
his 

i>< 
mark 
his 

X 
mark 
his 

mark 


Gonesseronton 
Shagogeaseronni 
Ojageghte 
Waorighonti 


his 

mark 

his 

X 

mark 

bis 

mark 
her 

mark 


Hi 


r  M 


576 


:":* 

i;'l» 

^'"O. 


APPENDIX. 

hii 

hi* 

Aonghwir.joga 

H 

mark 

his 

Tekaenyongh 

M 

mark 

his 

Otyogliwawagon 

mark 

Ogongksancyont 

X 
mark 

his 

his 

Aghstugwaroiwra 

X 
mark 

Tliaosonnenghton 

X 
mark 

her 

his 

Tekahontakwa 

mark 

Teghsitaasgowa 

X 
mark 

his 

his 

Oghsonwalagette 

X 
mark 

Arenghoot 

X 
mark 

her 

his 

Yoghstatheagh 

X 
mark 

Nihaweanaagh 

X 
mark 

his 

his 

Araglikwonto 

X 
mark 

Karrhageayato 

X 
mark 

his 

her 

Oghgwarioghacta     X 
mark 

Kaweanontye 

X 
mark 

We  do  certify  that  tlie  within  proceedings  were  held  in  our  pre. 
sencc,  and  that  the  accounts  and  different  items  were  explained  to 
the  Sachems,  Wur  Chieft,  and  principal  Women  under  the  direction 
of  the  Deputy  Superintendent  General  of  Indian  Affairs;  that  they 
seemed  perfectly  to  understand  and  comprehend  the  same,  and 
acknowledged  that  they  did  so,  and  were  perfectly  satisfied  there- 
with. Wo  do  also  certify  that  those  wh"--  lames,  marks,  and  seals 
are  hereunto  affixed,  as  well  as  the  whole  Council,  were  perfectly 
sober  when  they  executed  the  witiiin. 

Council  Room,  Grand  River,  ^iOth  June,  1 804. 
ISAAC  BROCK,  Col.  49<A  Regt. 
Commissioners. 
William  Carey,  Lieut.  49(/t  Regt. 
William  Stratton,  Lieut.  iHth  Regt. 
After  finishing,  the  usual   cen  niony  of  taking  leave  was  pone 
through, and  l^  large  bunch  of  Wampum  delivered.] 


IN 


I 


AfVKTiDlX. 


an 


>ii 


No.  XV. 

[REFUnENCE  FROM  PaGE  41^3.] 

COUNCIL  HELD  AT  NIAGARA 

W.  J.  Keur.] 

^.  y  the  .ean.  taken  to  oh.ruct  the  j.,st  de:;^::f '  ^i^^^ 
R^ht  Honorable  Privy  Council  on  the  subject  ^     ^ 

{HOT„KR,-I„  the  year  1775,  when   hostilities  had  commenced 
t.  Mohawks,  always  faithful  to  the  royal  interest,  brought  off  the  I, .' 

h  vk  R*::!  tTr'  'TTr  ""'  "'^  «Sl.kuagas. 'from  the  M  . 
hawk  R.ver  to  Canada.  Upon  our  arrival  there,  this  condur-t  was 
approved  of  by  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  who,  in  a  publi    Counc  1,  delird 

ZVt  "'.    '  ':'''':'  ""'  '^''^"'^  °"^  ^-"''>''  -d  that      ye 
W  "  ?k"  '^  '^'  "'^'  ^'  P^°'"'«°^  «h-'J  "e  replaced 

When  the  support  given  the  Americans  by  the  various  European 
powers  gave  us  reason  to  apprehend,  that    the  war  might  take  su 
an  u„,avorab  e  conclusion  as  to  deprive  us  of  the  l.ppines   " 
return  to  our  lK.mes,  and  to  the  re-enjoyment  of  our  forsa  enTa„l 
we  apphed  to  S.r  Frederick  Haldimand,  then  Governor  and   C,    .' 
mander-m  Chief,  for  a  confirmation  of  General  Carleton's  promi     • 
this  he  readily  granted  us,  and  we  have  it  now  in  our  posslssi         ' 
When    he  line  drawn  at  the  peace,  and  the  manner  in  which  that 
was  concluded  Jeft  us  no  hopes  of  regaining  our  former  po  sessions 

Tth!  R      'ro'^  f:""^"'''^  '''^  ^'-^^^"^^  Haldimand  for     g    nt' 
Jn  tlie  Bay  of  Quint6.  ° 

C.?"/!t"  '"^r'"f  J^"""'"  t«  the  Senecas  and  others  at  Buffalo 

Creek,  hey  upbraided  us  with  having  treated  them  unfairly,  after 
aving  een  t  e  most  forward  to  engage  in  the  royal  cans  .and 
av.n,  drawn    hem  into  the  contest,  now  to  abandon  them  i;  the 

pre  ent  er.t.cal  situation,  to  he  exposed  alone  to  such  retaliation  a 

revenge  might  i  rge  the  Americans  to  attempt. 


♦■,-" 


-1; 


I- 


SI      I' 


■vli 


678 


APPENDIX. 


Wc  were  struck  with  the  justness  of  their  nrpunicnt,  and  in  con- 
soquenco  rehnqiiishcd  tlio  phice  wc  hiid  lirst  clmsen,  and  a|)|)li((l  Cor 
tlio  Gnind  River  in  lieu  of  it ;  ns  tlierc  beintJ!  more  convcni'.ntly 
situiitod  eitlier  to  givo  assistance  to  our  hrctliren,  if  ussislance  mum 
wanted,  or  to  aflbrd  them  a  comfortahhi  nsyhmi  should  superior 
numbers  oblige  them  to  retreat.  His  Excellency  exprcHsed  his 
satisfuction  at  our  detcrininution,  and  the  terms  of  liis  graiit  will 
confirm  the  accuracy  of  this  assertion. 

In  a  little  time  the  Senecas  were  relieved  from  their  apprehen. 
flions,  they  remained  on  their  lands,  and  sold  them  gradually  to  the 
Americans;  for  wliich  they  receive  annually  six  thousand  tive  him' 
dred  dollars,  besides  four  thousaml  five  hundred  dollars  which  they 
get  in  common  with  others  of  the  Six  Nations  inhabiting  within  the 
territories  of  the  United  States,  from  whom  also  several  of  their 
Chiefs  receive  pensions  ;  with  these  arrangements  they  have  appeared 
to  remain  contented  on  the  reserves  they  htve  retained. 

General  Ilaldimand  was  on  the  eve  of  embarking  for  Europe 
when  lu!  executed  the  grant.  This  we  may  suppose  to  have  been  the 
reason  why  it  was  not  registered  at  Quebec  ;  and  from  this  circum- 
stance, shortly  after  the  formation  of  the  Canadian  government,  an 
attempt  was  made  to  curtail  our  land. 

After  we  came  to  a  proper  understanding  on  this  head,  from  the 
consideration  that  the  animals  were  becoming  scarce  for  the  hunters, 
we  proposed  leasing  a  part  of  our  lands,  not  in  our  power  to  occupy, 
to  receive  therefrom  an  atmual  income  ;  the  leasing  was  objected  to 
by  the  Executive,  but  they  were  sold  with  the  s.'nction  of  the  Cana- 
dian  Government,  and  morlgag(;d  for  the  payiuent  of  the  interest ; 
the  incumbrances,  however,  annexed  to  these  arrangements,  have 
prevented  us  as  yet  deriving  the  benefit  therefrom  we  had  reason  to 
expect. 

We  have  asked  for  a  confirmation  of  the  remaining  lands,  thut 
our  posterity  might  enjoy  in  security  tlie  benefits  of  our  industry, 
and  of  their  own ;  but  this  request  has  never  yet  met  with  an 
answer. 

What  we  asked  for,  seemed  to  be  of  such  a  nature  as  not  to  ren- 
der it  necessary  to  apply  to  higher  authority  than  there  was  in  this 
country,  (providing  the  inclination  should  be  favorable  to  grant  us 
our  requests,)  was  the  reason  we  persevered  in  entreating  for  a  satis- 
factory  decision  of  the  Executive  for  many  years  ;  notwithstanding 
repeated  retardments  in  our  business,  we  were  reluctant  to  trouble 
his  Majesty's  Government  in  Britain  with  so  trifling  an  affair. 

However,  at  the  lime  my  nephew  TeyoninhokSir^wen  desired  to 


AIM'ENDIX. 


579 


occur  ;r    \""^'"  '"  "•'"•'  ""  ''"'-^''  ^'-''''  «n  "Pportnni.v 

Cl.i    •        t,^        i,:  •  O     ^-•— f'-'o.  who  acuainted  the  other 
'  <"  tli..t  tulH.  Oko.hsan.yonto,  tlmt  Tevonin|.oka,awen  hud 

gotto  my  h.ghest  and  would  soon  fall ;  that  the  .net  u>d   lu'    1  .     o 

I  he  Chiefs  of  the  Grand  River  would  not  listen  to  this  but  manv 
of  the  common   p.-opio  were  therehv  ..r....,ll  ,1  ^ 

Creek  en  the  Aoleriian  «ide.  T^.i '",";?  '*' 1"  """"" 
Seneeas  and  others  of  the  Five  N::t;:nl  i  't  ,^:;:;\:;';  '"« 
>nado  now  chiefs  contrary  to  ,„„•  established  ^us  ^  .     :  v  ''' 

^;wa  eo,n,.l,ed  in  every  r-spect  wi.h  vour  .les  n^  ^^^  ^i^'"" 
d.ctt  e  application  of  Teyoninla,KAn^:w.M,no„:|;hf:^^"^^^^^ 

:r:::2:r.:'--;:-' « t  wh.:';;:";!;:-; 

Frede.ek  Haldimand.  Grant;  neitl^^ld^l^^'^::^':  l^ ^ 
7  :cr  V  '""^  conduct  since  we  settled  "there;  t  at  s  eer:^ 
of  these  C  .efs  were  pens.oners  to  the  United  States ;  t  ,at  the  ZZl 
o  many  who  were  not  Chiefs  were  sent  to  England  and  t  a t  ^  no 
of  the  pnnc.pal  men  from  the  Grand  River  wer^  the  e.  Those  who 
were  ma  e  ch.efs  at  Burtalo.we  cannot  allow  of,  as  bein.  cont    rv 

oa„  authonty  and  custom,  as  well  as  their  ignoranc^of  p  bl  I 
afra,rs  rendenng  them  absolutely  unfit  for  such  a  situation.     ' 


•  ii 


%' 


■1 


I  N 


580 


APPENDIX. 


'<«». 

""«> 


The  Farmer's  Brother  and  Red  Jacket,  two  of  these  Chiefs,  pen- 
sioners to  the  United  States,  a  few  years  ago  at  Hartford,  in  tho 
Assembly  of  the  Connecticut  State,  declared  "  that  they  were  suhjects 
to  the  United  States,  and  would  never  cross  the  river,  kissing  the 
medal  of  General  Washington  in  token  of  their  steady  attachment 
to  the  United  States,  vowing  that  they  would  ever  remain  united." 

Is  it  such  men  as  these  you  should  represent  a^being  the  proprie- 
tors  of  the  Grand  River?  No  ;  they  were  granted  to  us  as  loyalists, 
that  had  fought  and  lost  our  lands  in  support  of  his  Majesty's  inte- 
rests;  and  the  love  we  bear  our  Great  Father  the  King,  and  the 
desire  we  have  of  living  under  his  protection,  is  the  reason  we  set 
so  great  a  value  on  these  lands,  and  persevere  to  obtain  a  confirma- 
tion  of  them.  Neither  is  there  any  reason  why  you  should  prefer  the 
title  or  claims  of  the  opposite  party  of  our  own  dialect,  inhabiting 
at  present  the  same  village  with  us  ;  but  who  have  joined  those  peo- 
pie  in  opposition,  to  promote  anarchy  among  us.  Before  the  war, 
they  lived  at  Fort  Hunter,  and  had  sold  the  most  of  their  lands  before 
hostilities  commenced  ;  what  they  lost,  therefore,  is  more  to  be  im 
putcd  to  their  imprudence  than  to  their  loyalty.  This  was  not  the 
case  with  us  of  Canajoharie  or  Oghkwaga.  When  we  took  up  the 
hatchet,  our  lands  remained  almost  entire  and  unbroken,  like  those  of 
the  tribes  to  the  westward. 

Bkotiikr, — We,  the  principal  Chiefs  of  that  part  of  the  Five  Na- 
tions  inhabiting  the  Grand  River,  who  obtained  the  grant  from 
General  Kaldimand  in  consequence  of  our  services  and  losses,  now 
affirm  that  we  approve  in  every  respect  of  the  representation  of  our 
aflhirs  made  by  Teyoninholdriiwen  in  England ;  and  also  of  his 
request  in  our  behalf;  but  so  much  having  been  said  on  the  subject 
for  these  many  years  past  renders  so  necessary  a  discussion,  that 
we  entreat  the  Government  to  direct  an  inquiry  to  be  made  into 
the  conduct  of  those  concerned. 

HuoTiiKR, — Since  we  appointed  Trustees  by  the  direction  of  the 
Executive  in  this  province,  we  have  found  the  appointment  very 
insulBcient,  both  as  to  the  speedy  execution  of  our  business,  as  also 
to  the  giving  us  the  proper  security  for  the  property  which  may 
pass  ihrough  their  hands.  The  confidence  we  ever  entertained 
of  being  protected  in  all  our  rights  by  our  Great  Father,  caused  U9 
to  remove  to  the  place  we  nov/  occupy  within  his  dominions.  We 
therefore  petition  that  his  Majesty's  Government  appoint  such  other 
medium  for  the  transaction  of  our  business  as  to  their  wisdom  may 
appear  proper,  and  which  to  us  may  be  more  satisfactory  and  secure. 

BROTirEK, — You  know,  that  some  years  ago  our  Council-fire  was 


"niiiiiwi  III   I  mil 


APPENDIX. 


681 


Great  Fathor;i7c::  ^  ^  ^  1X"''"1  ''-'''''''  ^^^ 
tl.e  effect  the  CouncU  Ldl  e  at  sn"LT  ■  '''''''''T'  "'" 
England.  ^''""S  twelveinontli  had  in 

Wo  Lave  delayed  somo  time,  in  hopes  to  have  had  nr^v'      , 
fa.r  d.scuss.on  of  the  aft-air  ut  our  General   Con,     1     ^'^^      f -"^  "^ 
convinced  the  dcodIp  nC  R,.fl- i      „^;"*"'^'   Council,  and  to   have 

f-alIeninto.i^h£;tLttf    .    r'  "'  ''"  '"'^'^^''«  ^'^^  '-^ 
Counci,.«rl  whieh^h^i:    ^i  ^.^  h:d'r  Ihe^T^^'"^  ^^  '^ 

as  mostlii.  l.of  du  a  ionth°VK.r  ?:^^-^''""'*^^  ^'^'^  preference, 
of  our  Great  Faler  he  Kin;  F  T'  °' ''''' '"''  ^'^  -PP-' 
forn:od  the  conf  deracv  ft  ht  h  ""  V""'  ""'  ""^  ^"^'''''h-s 
Council  F.re-plaei::b;;':::7''\f^^^  ^'-^"-  «-ral 
to  the  welfare'of  the  whorhl^^te;  e^  :^^^^^^^^^ 
was  regarded  by  all  the  neighboring  nations  '  '"'' ""'  "^''  '^ 

the  application  of  hi   an'e      '  I"  Z  'T  "''^'^'^^^'-^  "•^'=-"'  «^ 

you  have  forfea       ouT     t^;,:;    '",f  ^"  ^°"^'"*^^'^  "^^ 
Great  Father  will  aonoint  ^"'^^  «°»fi'l<^nce,  that  we  desire  our 

afiiurs,  and  r  nd      us  tl  I    iusT'        ",  ''"""  '"  '^"P"'"^-'^  -' 

alty  and  attaehInT         ufG^Lt^F: t^  '''''l  ''''''^''  ^"  '">- 
faithfully  deserved.  "'  ""^  ^^'^  ''^  '°"g  ""d 

The  A     f^'^f'^'^^/'/J^^orarda,  by  Captain  Brant.] 

,  out  as  this  had  never  been  the  case  before,  nor  the 


,|f* 


■iU 


f. 


11;     i? 


jf^ 


•t 

<•- 

t* 

•  » 

MM* 


Si 


582 


APPENDIX. 


attendance  of  Mr.  Selhy  required  at  any  former  council,  the  chirfs 
resolved  to  deliver  their  sentiments  in  the  house  built  by  his  iMajesiy 
for  that  purpose,  where  they  were  asseml)led  in  the  presence  of 
several  officers  of  the  garrison,  o.'  Judge  Thorpe,  Mr.  Weeks:,  Mr. 
Addison,  Mr.  Edwards,  and  several  other  gentlemen  of  the  place. 

Okogiisenniyonte,  a  Chief  of  the  Cuyugas,  then  rose,  and  expressed 
the  general  approbation  of  what  was  said,  alleging  it  was  the  sen- 
timcnt  of  the  whole  ;  that  the  satisfaction  thev  had  felt  on  havin"- 
the  lands  granted  them  according  to  the  promise  of  his  Majesty's 
representatives,  was  greatly  weakened  and  disappointed  by  the 
disputes  raised  against  their  title,  and.  the  right  to  make  the  use  of 
it  they  desire. 


No.  XVI. 


J"- 


in. 

Si. 


h  -  -"i« 


."II'* 


[Reference  fkom  Page  453.] 

"NeiD.York,  1st  Dec.  1837. 
"Dear  Sir. 
"In  the  year  1797,  I  visited  Col.  Brant  on  his  return  from  Phila- 
delphia to  his  home  on  Grand  River,  seventy  miles  north  of  Niagara, 
in  company  with  Doctor  Dingly  and  Doctor  Priestley,  at  iJie  Hotel 
kept  by  Mr.  James  Batten,  corner  of  John  and  Nassau  streets.  He 
appeared  to  be  in  good  health  and  spirits,  rather  inclined  to  corpu. 
lency,  of  the  middling  stature,  his  dress  that  of  a  private  citizen  ;  was 
very  communicative.  In  tiie  course  of  our  interview  he  told  us  of  his 
reception  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,  spoke  of  our  revolutionary  war, 
and  tiie  active  part  he  took,  assisted  by  the  English,  which  he  now 
had  reason  to  regret  ;  would  never  again  take  up  the  tomakawk 
against  these  United  States  ;  gave  us  a  pressing  invitation  to  call 
and  see  him  at  his  residence  on  Grand  River  ;  stated  that  he  liad 
large  possessions,  and  could  make  his  friends  very  comfortable; 
that  he  had  many  black  slaves,  which  he  had  taken  prisoners  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  who  appeared  to  be  happy,  and  entirely  willing  to 
live  with  him  ;  pleased  with  the  In<lian  hal)itsand  customs,  and  never 
expressed  a  wish  to  return  into  civil  society,  where  they  were  sure 
to  be  slaves  to  the  white  people,  as  they  had  been  before  the  war. 
He  seemed  to  be  pleased  with  the  attention  he  had  recei-ed  from  the 
citizens  of  New. York.  We  took  leave  of  hiin,  and  proiriisi-d  if  either 
of  us  ever  visited  that  part  of  Canada,  we  would  call  and  see  him 


APPENDIX.  gyg 

"Respectfully,  your  ob'tserv't, 
"  William  L.  Stone,  Esq."  "Jeuouvh  Johnson. 


& 


■I 


No.  XVII. 
[Rkfehence  fkom  Page  480.] 

"Mv  OEAK  Co..  Joseph  Bkant,"  '^°"^""'  "^^''^  ^'^'  ^''^' 
••  Years  may  have  banished  tm  out  of  thn  t       i       . 
but  I  have  not  yet  forgot  you,  Sir  W  h  m     7      '' r"  '"'''"->'' 
children.    Vou  will  gn^^^iously  re    i  I     '" .'"''"T/    ''«  '-^y  and 
you  that  I  esteem  and  reverence     hi        /'  '''^'°''  ''  '"  •'"'°'-'" 

your.,f  and  those  of  theXr. :::.:::;  ::,::;7  "-'''-ie^ 

do  not  admire  the  policy,  humanitv  „n^  '^""'•'•"  ^^'''l«  ' 

towards  the  Mohawks  a;rtrr  All  L"  in  '■'  "'  "'"  ''"'^^^  "'''-" 
enemies  to  rob  them  of  t  e  Zwt ty'  :;it"V"'  ""''""^^  '''- 
tl.e.n  to  seek  shelter  and  lands  am  nit  tlfe  Or''  """  '^""''""'"^ 
sagas,  formerly  their  enemies  b.  he  a°rf  "'"  ^'^";^'^^^««  »"'!  Missis. 
Ti.eChristian%ulesareg  danV;^^^^^^^^ 
Roman  and  Protestant  kind  love ri^/:'"^ 
ren...kab,e  to  me  is,  that  Pope,  Z    tl^ii::  "'r^.  ""'''  '"^ 

'nade  laws  to  deprive  the  m     itu        /'  ?.'""="'""  H^'^'a<ors  ; 

"ecause  the  Pop,,  was  bv  l^H  "^  ''>' ^''°  ^'"""l"".  ""d 

God  had  given'  t  ei  e^'  „  ttrT"  "'  ^^"^'^''  ' '"  ^^•''- 
P-.S  of  the  earth  for  hi.  o  es  „  '  u'TT  ""'  "'"  ^^•^'^'-» 
"•-    Bishops,  for    the  firtsri";dre.  "''''"''"''"''''  ^^'''•'■»- 

^-rds,'I  have  other  .bee,  whic  y''"-.  ""'lerstood  Christ'^ 

M- would  have  not  been  content  with  hia  tri,M, 


1: 


Jf; 


584 


APPENDIX 


^^^ 


13- 


.•:.  f 

i 

^ 

m 

1 

r 

i 

W.    1 

b  ' 

•!«» 

■:;     s 

si 

1 

crown,  which  represents  Asia,  Africa,  and  Europe,  out  would  havo 
put  on  ii  qiiiidru|)le  crown  to  iiiclud«  \merica. 

'•It  is  evident  that  Christ  commissioned  his  twelve  Apostles  to 
teach  and  baptize  the  people  in  Asia,  Africa,  and  Europe,  l)ut  not 
in  America;  for  Christ  said  to  tiiem,  '  I  have  otiier  sheep  which 
are  not  of  this  fold,  them  I  will  fjather  in,'  and  not  depend  on  tlie 
twelve  Apostles  to  do  that  benevolent  work. 

"  Wiiiit  right  then  could  tiie  Pope,  in  1492,  havo  over  America, 
when  his  predecessor,  St.  Peter,  and  tiic  other  eleven  Apostles,  iiold  no 
commission  in  America  or  over  America.  Hence,  as  the  Kinj:^  ot 
Spain  had  no  valid  title  to  America  from  the  Pope,  what  rijflit  has 
the  King  of  England  in  and  over  America,  who  is  an  excomuiuni- 
cated  heretic  from  the  church  of  Rome.  I  conclude  that  the  peo. 
pie  of  America  belong  to  'the  fold  of  Christ.,^  not  to  the  fold  of  the 
twelve  Apostles,  because  God  gave  America  to  Christ,  Psalm  2,  v.  8, 
the  Pope,  Kings,  and  Bishops  in  the  old  world,  have  not,  and  never 
had,  any  divine  authority  in  America,  over  Christ's  sheep,  the 
Gentiles;  of  course  they  are  usurpers,  robbers,  and  deceivers. 

*'I  consider  you,  Sir,  as  the  Ciiief  of  the  Mohawks,  and  the  other 
five  nations  of  Indians,  the  legal  and  just  owners  of  the  country 
lying  between  the  waters  St.  Lawrence,  Ontario,  Lake  Erie,  Lake 
Champlain,  and  Hudson's  River  to  the  forks  of  Susquehannah, 
which  you  have  lost  for  fighting  your  Gentile  brethren  in  behalf  of 
English  Christiana;  and  the  good  and  honest  Mississagas  have  in 
part  lost  their  country,  for  fighting  you,  their  Gentile  brethren,  in 
behalf  of  French  Christians.  Tiius,  I  see  you  and  the  Missis- 
sagas  have  been  crucified  like  Christ  between  two  thieves,  (i.  e.) 
Jews  and  Romans.  I  have  seen  so  much  of  Christian  knavery  and 
policy,  that  I  am  sick  of  Europe,  which  loves  war  and  hates  peace; 
therefore  I  want  and  long  to  have  a  wigwam  near  Great  Pontiack, 
King  by  divine  riglit  of  tlie  Mississaga  Nation  and  Tribes  near  De- 
troit  and  Lake  Michigan.  Great  Pontiack  has  adopted  my  grand- 
son,  Nikik,  Samuel  Peters  Jarvis.  Should  you  judge  it  proper  to 
explain  my  obligations  to  Great  Pontiack,*  and  tiierel)y  induce  the 
Great  Chief  to  patronize  n  ?  also,  I  will  go  with  Nikik  to  Michigan, 
and  teach  Nikik  thp  rules  and  laws,  how  he  shall  defend  in  ''1  shapes 
his  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  Mississaga  Nation. 

"I  beg  you  to  accept  a  portrait  of  Nikik  my  grandson,  a  captain 
and  prince  of  the  Mississagas,  by  creation  of  Great  Pontiack  ;  as  I 
suppose  he  is  successor  of  the  wise  and  groat  Pontiack,  King  and 
Lord  of  that  country,  A.  D.   17G0. 

•  It  would  seem  from  those  references  to  Pontiac,  thai  the  eccentric  writer  of  this 
»ttcr  W£i9  i^nor^nt  cFhis  jie^th  ^sirs  bcftire. — Jitzihoi*. 


m 


APPEXDIX. 


585 


«  r  know  you  and  your  generosity  and  benevolence,  and  tlierolbro 
ask  you  to  accept  my  gratitude,  and  to  give  ,no   ^vi.  /vir    T .. 
such  an  answer  a.  your  good.ess  ...al,  dictate rbli:;!  'H'^r' 
"lour  friend  and  servant, 

"Samuel  Petejis." 


No.  XVIIf. 
[Refehence  from  Page  487.] 

The   following   brief  but  very  interesting  account  of  a  French 
Colony   located  in  the  town  of  Po.npey,  in  the  year  16GG,  is  taken 

ot  one  ot  the  French  Jesuits,  he  proceeds  to  remark  —  P'^"'"""' 
"iM-on.  the  Jesm.s'  journal  it  appears,  that  in  the  year  16G6  at 
the  request  ol  kurakont.e,  an  Onond.ga  chieftain,  a  French  Colony 
JV.1S  directed  to  repair  to  his  village.  f..r  the  purpose  of  teaching  Z 
nd.ans  arts  and  sciences,  and  to  endeavor,  if  practicable,  to  civi! 
iize  and  christianise  them. 

"  We  learn  from  the  Sachems,  that  at  this  time  the  Indians  had  a 
fort,  a  s  or  distance  above  tlie  village  of  Jamesv.Iie,  on  the  banks 
ot  a  small  stream  near  ;  a  little  above  which,  it  seems,  the  chieftain 
Karakont.e,  would  have  lus  now  friends  sit  dou,n.  Accordingly' 
they  repaired  tluther  and  commenced  their  labors,  which  beTng 
greatly  aided  by  the  savages,  a  few  mo.iths  only  were  necessary  tf 
tile  building  of  a  small  village.  ' 

«  This  little  colony  remained  for  three  years  in  a  very  peaceable 
and  flourishing  situation,  during  which  time  much  addition  was 
made  to  the  establishment,  and.  among  others,  a  small  chapel,  in 
which  the  Jesuit  used  to  collect  the  barbarians,  and  perform  he 
rites  and  ceremonies  of  his  church. 

"But  the  dire  circumstance  which  was  to  bury  this  colony  in 
oblivion,  and  keep  their  history  in  secret,  was  yet  to  come.  Abou" 
this  tune,  (1669,)  a  party  of  Spaniards,  consisting  of  twenty-th-ee 
persons,  arrived  at  the  village,  having  for  guides  some  of  the  i;o. 
quo.s,  who  had  been  taken  captive  by  the  southern  tribes.  It  appears 
ev.d.„t  that  this  party  came  up  the  Mississippi,  as  it  hasTen 
ascertained  that  they  passed  Pittsburg,  and  on  to  Olean  Point  • 
Where,  leaving  their  canoes,  they  travelled  by  land.     They  had  been 


k 


^-' 


iW 


¥  \ 


w\  m  i 


rll       If     h; 


58G 


APl'KNDIX. 


informed  by  some  of  the  soutlicrn  tribes  that  there  was  a  lake  at 
the  north  of  them,  whoso  bottom  was  covered  witii  a  substance 
shinini'  and  white,*  anii  which  thuv  took,  from  the  Indians'  dcscrip. 
tion,  to  be  silver  ;  and  it  is  supposed  tliat  tiie  idea  of  enriching 
themselves  upon  this  treasure,  induced  them  to  tnke  this  lonji;  and 
tlesperate  journey  ;  for  silver  was  tlio  first  thing  inquired  for  on 
their  arrival,  and  on  being  told  tiiat  none  was  ever  seen  in  or  al)out 
the  Onondaga  lake,  tliey  became  almost  frantic,  and  seemed  bent 
upon  a  quarrel  with  the  French,  and  charge'l  tiiem  with  having 
bribed  the  Indians,  and  even  tho>(!  wiio  had  been  their  guides,  thai 
they  would  not  tell  where  the  mines  might  be  found.  Nor  dare  they, 
finding  the  French  influence  to  prevail,  venture  out  on  a  .^earch,  lest 
the  Indians  might  destroy  them.  A  compromise  was  however  made, 
and  both  parties  agreed  that  an  equal  numlier  of  each  should  be 
sent  on  an  exploring  expedition,  wliicii  was  accordingly  done.  But 
the  effect  of  this  upon  the  minds  of  the  Indians  was  fatal.  Upon 
seeing  these  strangers  prowling-'  tlie  woods  with  various  kinds  of 
instruments,  they  itnmediately  suspected  some  plan  to  be  in  opera, 
tion  to  deprive  them  of  their  country. 

"  Nor  was  this  jealousy  by  any  means  hushed  by  the  Euro- 
peans. The  Spaniards  averred  to  tlie  Indians  that  the  only  object  of 
the  French  was  to  tyrannize  over  tliem  ;  and  the  French,  on  the 
other  hand,  that  the  Spaniards  were  plotting  a  sclieme  to  rob  them 
of  their  lands. 

"Tlie  Indians  by  this  time  becoming  equally  jealous  of  both, 
determined,  in  private  council,  (o  rid  themselves  of  so  troub!3bomo 
neio'iilmrs.  For  aid  in  this,  they  sent  private  instructions  to  the 
Oneidas  and  Cayugas,  who  only  wanted  a  watchword  to  be  found 
immediately  on  the  ground.  The  matter  was  soon  digeste  I,  and 
the  time  and  manner  of  attack  agreed  upon.  A  little  befoio  day. 
break,  on  All-Saints  day,  1669,  the  little  colony,  together  with  the 
Spaniardi^i,  were  aroused  from  their  slumbers  by  the  roaring  of  fire- 
arms and  the  d'smal  war-whoop  of  the  savages.  Every  hous?  waa 
immediately  fired  or  broken  open,  and  such  as  attempted  to  c'.cape 
from  the  flames  met  a  more  untimely  death  in  the  tomahawk.  iMer- 
ciless  multitudes  overpowered  the  little  band,  and  the  Europeans 
were  soon  either  lost  in  death  or  writhing  in  their  blood  ;  and  such 
was  the  furious  prejudice  of  the  savages,  that  not  one  escaped,  or 
was  left  alive  to  relate  the  sad  disaster.  Tlius  perished  the  little 
colony,  whoso  labors  have  excited  so  much  wonder  and  ciriosity. 


•The  salt  crystallizes  at  the  present  time  on  the  grass  and  upon  the  naked  earth 
in  the  =raraediate  vicinity  of  the  springs,  though  the  water  of  the  lake  is  fresh. 


APPENDIX. 


S87 


fn^'?f''/"T''  'r  ''""'"'»•""  '"«l""l!  inquiries  resn.cMn,  Ihe 

n.on  wns  ul.o  measurably  cnfir.nail  l.v  „  7"'\'"''-''^-      ^ '"«  °P'- 
lived  witli  »h«  «,  „  ^"" minca  l)y  a  Frenchman  who  had  lonir 

<  d  w.tl.  the  Senecu«,  and  who  vi.iiod  the  Onondngas  at  the  timf 
ihe  Sj.amards  wore  at  the  vilh.Lre,  hut  left  bolor^  fit  A       7  ! 

could  only  say  that  h.  hud  ..or.  thU,  there  »  "     '  '"' 

•    country  by  the  Eu..|  «  .       T  ''"  '^'■''  •"'^"'en.ent  of  the 

andth;eMJ:a  :  ;,;,  ;'=^^^;;;;'7'---7y-ycredib.e. 

country,  the  rea.ainH  of     I  .ith  •  "T""      1 '"^'•'"''  '" ''« 

andin.ome.ust,.ne..   Jl'lt.^X^Z  '^T,    7^-?' 
vice  was  found,  buried  do,,,,  i„  the  irrmfn  1  r      ^.'''^^^'^«"i't'>  « 

Hollow,  about  three..ur.hi  u?  ;;:r::u;.::;tt::;:pr^^ 

of  civilisation.     /„  the  cfl      a  i  lof         "  T'f '"''  °^  '^''''  ''^'''' 

da.. Creek. innuu.e:;z!;:; ri  ^ ':;t  i^? ^ ^ "r "• 

been  found,  scattered  over  a  ..MTitorvof  Z       fi      ''"f  ^'"^'T  I'^ve 
Sword.  gun.barrelH.  gun-locb       y^e  J^^^^^       'jjf'  '"  '-=-'^- 

.i^.sotherart.cle.n.deofiroMrC:t;Z:i:^^^^^^ 

1  .u    onTh"7        '  '"'"'  "'"  '"  "'y  P"'*--'-  -  -vord'tli  wa" 
dug  up  on  the  farn,  at  prmint  owned  by  Mr   VVvmm   wi.       V 

e.n  found  all  the  different  .<ind«  of  nrtiLfmeIrn  L W    ''o: 
ths  farm,  also,  was  found  u  Hlono  of  considerable  dimensions  on 
wh.ch   were  rudely  carved  «o,no   European  characters     Z   the 
s  one  has  been  lo«t.  and  the  in.port  of  the  characterTi  It  r  Lm 
-red.     It  .s  proper  alno   to  remark  In^re.  that  a  stone.  Al  ha; 
b  en  preserved  and  is  now  in  the  Albany  museum,  was  found    ome 
years  ago  .n  the  town  of  Po.npoy.  containing  in  criptions      The 
«  one  was  of  an  oblong  figure,  being  fourteen  inches  lo  g  by  twe    e 
broad,  and  .s  e.ght  .ncbes  in  thickness.     It  had  in  the  centre  ot   he 
surface  the  figure  of  a  tree,  with  a  serpent  climbing  it.  an     he  ^ 
^:Se\f£r'^^**>°^''"---'-  were^nscnbed:;: 


li    ^ 


fi    I 


t 


;|' 

1 

& 

588 


APPENDIX. 


nit 


^^^^^HT'"«> 

ii 

^^^^■C'*" 

'^ ' 

^^Hc'*' 

^V^' 

■::> 

ujtk 

H^^^^H. 

M 

^V**' 

"W 

^H*' 

i 

^■::} 

" 

Lpo  X  Do  ,„,     ,        ,  La 

,,.     .^„  Ihe  tree,  &c.  , 

Vix  1520  t  n 

"  We  have  here  the  true  chronology  of  tlie  pontificiite  of  Leo  X., 
and,  without  doubt,  the  year  in  whicli  the  inscriptions  were  made. 
This  pontiff  came  to  the  papal  chair  in  the  year  lolS  or  1514,  and 
consequently  the  sixth  year  of  his  pontificate  would  be  as  stated 
above.  Tiie  inscription  may  be  thus  translated  : — '  Leo  X.  by  tlie 
grace  of  God  ;  sixth  year  of  his  pontificate — 1520.'  The  stone 
was  doubtless  dosijjned  as  a  sepulchral  monument,  and  the  letters 
Ls  were  probably  the  initials  of  the  name  of  the  person  whose  Jiravo 
it  designated.  The  Cross  informs  us  that  the  deceased  was  a  Catho- 
lie,  and  the  inverted  U,  was  probably  some  other  emblem,  which  the 
hand  of  time  had  in  a  great  measure  effaced.  The  supposition  is 
not  incredible  that  this  stone  was  carved  by  a  Spanish  hand  on  or 
near  the  spot  where  it  was  found,  and  there  deposited  by  him.  Mex- 
ico  was  settled  by  the  Spaniards  in  1521.  But  previously  to  this 
period,  Spanish  aiiventurers  frequently  arrived  upon  the  American 
coast.  Florida  was  discovered  l)y  them  in  1502.  The  French 
voyager  Verrazano  explored  nearly  the  whole  coast  of  the  present 
United  States  in  1524,  but  a  little  subsequent  to  the  date  which 
forms  the  subject  of  our  inquiry.  And  De  Solo,  who  had  been  con- 
stituted Governor  of  Cuba  and  President  of  Florida,  performed  his 
celebrated  expedition  into  tlie  interior  of  America,  having  with  him 
six  hundred  men,  as  early  as  1539.  He  spent  four  years  in  the 
country,  and  as  Florida  then  extended  to  an  iiidfifinite  point  in  the 
north,  embracing  all  that  tract  of  country  which  has  since  been 
called  Virginia,  and  as  mention  is  made  by  his  historian  of  '  extreme 
cold.'  and  of  a  place  railed  Saqnechama,  it  is  reasonable  to  conjee, 
ture  that  they  penetrated  to  tiie  north  as  far  as  the  Susquehannah.* 
But  in  the  course  of  his  travels,  ho  fell  in  with  a  body  of  natives, 
who  had  with  tiiem  a  Spaniard  by  the  name  of  John  Ortez,  of  Se- 
ville.  He  had  then  been  a  captive  for  nearly  ten  years.  It  is  not 
incredible,  when  all  these  facts  are  taken  into  consideration,  that 
eight  years  anterior  to  the  time  of  Ortez  being  taken  prisoner,  two 
or  three,  or  half  a  dozen  Spaniards,  should  have  been  taken  by  mis. 
fortune  or  the  spirit  of  adventure  to  Pompey  Hill,  where  one  of  them 
dying,  the  survivor  or  survivors  prepared  and  placed  tliis  monument 
over  his  remains.  It  is  also  quite  j)ossible,  that  the  visit  of  the 
Spanish  adventurers,  to  which  the  narrative  furnished  by  De  Witt 

♦  See  Sandford's  Aborigines,  p.  cxiv.  note.   Also,  "  Yates  and  Moulton'a  Hist." 
11. 


APPENDIX. 


589 


Clinton  and  recited  above,  relates  ii/-.«ntn  „  -j 
tl.at  which  he  a,.i.ns  for  it  DoS  ?■  ^7'  """''  ''''^'"'■'  *'""" 
i»r  stories  toid  hL  by  the  sa^.t:  :'::"'  "'^^  ^"'"^"' ''"^  •^''"'• 
«ilve.  in  regions  that  ierl  IX  ^  ^  Z'7  :l  '"'  ''f 
wa.  taken  n.any  hundre.l  leagues  in'o  tZ  hi  r        ^"  '"'-'  '" 

only  with  savases,  and  never  1"  .  - .  !"'  "  """"^''^  ""'^'' 
-I-n.  IJut  he  returned  vex  dtl  TIT  'T  ""  ^""^  "^  ""  Eu. 
only  with  golden  drean  Th^  st  rv  o"f  Tl  '" 'T'  '"'"  "'"^"^^^ 
bottcn  was  lined  with  silver  wnV  "'  "^'  ""■■"'•  ^^^"'«« 

Spaniard  with  an  J  ^  ^  'i:;;  ^rd^  *"  ''•^  "^  ""^•"'"  ''^  ^ 
ol^j.-ct;  and  as  the  daL  of  t  .'  .  '"  e  Zl!.".  'T""  "'  ""' 
by  tradition,  that  erring  chron Lie  oTI  ?  .  "  '''  ^'■^^'^'''''^f-J 
bio  that  a  mistake  in  tLe  "ffietnt  to        ^^      '?""^-"'-  P-'- 

inq.iry,  was  committed.     Ht^rtr-'v  be  U    ''''''\  ''T 
doul.t  hut  Spaniards    carripH  ,,    ""^  ""''y  ^^'  *'>«■••«  can  be  httle 

loveof  ,o,d/.er:t\::;:;      ra/^a^r  i:.V''r  ''   '''' 
Rev.Mr.Ada.s,of,,raclsl(jV.Y.)'        '^'''-Lectures  of 


No.  XIX. 
[Reference  fhom  Page  487.] 
Since  the  Xext  of  the  present  volume  was  written   th.   Anf 
rian  world  has  been  gratified  bv  -i  n„l.l,V  \      '^'^'"^"'  »'e  Antiqua- 
of  Northern  AntiquicL  of  CoIL'1  ^    l^l -h^  by  the  Society 

.ensation  among  Ln  of  letterr  S  ^ntTt,:;    "  """'""^  '^  ^"^^ 
"  A nt.qu..ate,s  Americans,  sive  Scriptores  Septentrionales  rerun, 
Ant    Columbianarun.   .n  A.nerica.      (Antiquities  of  Amer la     o 

The  following  summary  notice  of  this  most  important  work  is 
cop...  f..om  the  New  Haven  Chronicle  of  the  Churc'h,  of  kLlr 

This  interesting  and  erudite  volume  is  composed  of  ancient  Ice 
^nd.c  Instones  relat.ve  to  America,  being  moL.y  ..counts  of  voT 

S  lltrrh^'    V,;?''""'^^"'  ""^'^  "^y  H.  Northmen  i„7e 
10  b,  11th,  12th,  and  13th  centuries,  that  is,  anterior  to  the  time  of 
Colum  us.      To  these  are  added  critical  and  explanatory  no  e 
chronolog,cal  and  geneological  tables,  arch.logieal  and  ge  gral  .' 
cal  d.squ.s.t.ons,  concerning  the  .nigration  of  the  ^Northmen  /o    l,i^ 
country,  the.r  first  landing,o,aces,  and  earliest  settL;      f:  ^ 
vasfges  01  the  same  now  remaining.     We  give  the  foUowi "  'J^' 


:}       Jl 


'I     t 


I    K-' 


«■ 

»» 
I* 
«■ 

Mm* 


J"' 


S 


590 


APPENDIV. 


marv  of  tho  conclusions  (Irawn  hy  tlie  autbois  of  tliis  work  in  re 
fernnco  to  tiio  (li«covery  and  settlement  of  this  country  by  the  Nor 
wegiuns. 

In  tlio  Hprinj^  of  O'^O,  Eric  tlio  Red  emigrnfnd  from  Ir,elnnd  to 
Greenland,  and  formed  a  so'tlemcnt  there.  In  994,  Biarne,  the  son 
of  Ilcriiilf  IJardson,  one  of  tiie  settlers  who  accompanied  Eric,  re- 
turned  to  Norway,  and  gave  an  account  of  discoveries  he  had  made 
to  the  soMtli  of  (fTf-enland.  On  iiis  return  to  Greenland,  Leif,  the  son 
ofEric,  hought  Uiarne's  ship,  and  witli  a\crew  of  thirty-five  men,  em- 
barked  on  a  voyngo  of  discovery,  A.  D.  1000.  After  sailing  some 
time  to  the  soutiuwest,  they  fell  in  with  a  country  covered  with  a 
slaty  rock,  and  destitute  of  good  qualities  ;  and  which,  therefore,  they 
called  Hellulaud,  (Slate-land.)  They  then  continued  southerly,  un. 
til  they  found  ii  low,  flatcoast,  with  white  sand  cliffs,  and  imme. 
diately  hack,  covered  with  wood,  whence  they  called  the  country 
Morkland,  (Woodland.)  From  here  they  sailed  south  and  west, 
until  they  arrived  at  a  promontory  which  stretched  to  the  east  and 
north,  and  sailing  round  it,  turned  to  the  west ;  and  sailing  westward, 
passed  between  an  island  and  the  mainland,  and  entering  a  buy 
through  which  flowed  n  river,  they  concluded  to  winter  there. 

Having  landed,  they  built  houses  to  winter  in,  and  called  the  place 
Lefshnlhir,  (Ficifs-booths.)  Soon  after  this  they  discovered  an 
abundance  of  vines,  whence  they  named  the  country  Vinland  or 
W'-  !.vinl.  Antiquarians  have  been  much  puzzled  to  know  where 
Vinland  whs  located  ;  but  the  Antiquarian  Society,  to  whose  exertions 
wo  owe  tlie  above  work,  after  the  most  careful  examination  of  all  the 
evidenco  on  the  subjoct,  do  not  hesitate  to  place  it  at  the  head  of  Nar- 
raganset  Bay,  in  Rhode  Island.  Every  thing  in  the  description  of 
the  voyage  and  country  agrees  most  exactly  with  this.  The  pro- 
inontory  extending  east  and  north,  corresponds  closely  with  that  of 
Barnstablo  and  Cape  Cod,  and  the  islands  they  would  encounter 
immediately  upon  turning  west,  would  be  Nantucket  and  Martha's 
Vineyard. 

Two  years  after,  1002,  Thorwold,  the  brother  of  Leif,  visited  Vin- 
land,  where  ho  spent  two  years,  and  was  finally  murdered  by  tlie 
natives.  Before  his  death,  he  coasted  around  the  promontory,  and 
called  the  north  end,  now  Cape  Cod,  Kjalarnes,  (Keel-Cape.)  He 
was  killed  and  buried  on  a  small  promontory,  reaching  south  from 
the  mainland,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Bay,  inclosed  by  the  promon- 
tory  of  Kjalarnes,  and  whicli  answers  most  accurately  to  the  strip 
of  land  on  the  oast  8i<le  of  Plymouth  Harbour,  now  called  Gurnet's 
Point.     The  Norwegians  called  U  Krassanes,  (Crossness  or  Cross- 


■'^  i 


APPENDIX. 


601 


laml.)  I>ec«u.so  the  gravo  of  Thor.old  had  a  cross  ercCod  at  both 

.    also  appears,  that  Markland  was  wha^  isnowcaL  Nov.T? 

™«;an^  ,  .l/.^/a,  (Greater  Heliuland,)  was  the  constof  £ab"l  or 
We  ought  also  to  have  observed  above,  that  S,raun.fJotkrZZZ' 
F.h)  probably  included  the  whole  of  Buzzard's  Bay.  ^ 

Of  the  climate  of  Vinland,  the  Northmen  say,  it  wa.,,  when  thev 
were  there,  so  mild  tha.  cattle  would  liveout.doLdurinVt  v  t' 
that  the  snow  fell  but  lightly,  and  that  the  grass  continued  The 

Vinland   we.e  abundance  of  vines,  a  kind  of  wild  wheat,  (maize  )  a 
beautiful  wood  which  they  called  mazer  (Birdseye-maple,  AcZVac. 


f  I 


i 


f 


i    1  1 


I 


if»       1 


602 


ArrENDix. 


charinum,)  a  grout  variety  of  forest  animals,  Eidor  DiicUh  in  ^rent 
plenty  ;  and  the  rivers  and  bays  tl'.cy  ilescrilio  as  tilled  with  flub,  among 
whi(3b  they  reckon  siilmoii,  hiilibiit.  wlialcH.  Ate.  It  Ih  also  Maid  by 
tlie  same  iiistorians,  that  the  sun  mm',  at  half  past  seven  o'elook  in 
the  Hliortcst  tiays,  which  is  the  exact  time  it  rises  at  Mount  Hope. 

Subsequent  to  tiiis  time,  explorations  were  tna(!(i  to  flu'  snuth  of 
Vinland  alon<f  the  eastern  sliore,  and  judging;  from  I'le  fragments  yf 
\oya<n'H,  it  would  seem  that  some  pcmetrateii  as  fir  south  as  Florida. 
The  whole  country  south  of  Chesapeake  Bay  is  culled  by  them 
Hoitramannahind,  (white. man's-land,)  or  Ireland  it  Miklti,  (Ireland 
the  Great.)  In  1121  Vinland  was  visited  by  Bishop  Erie,  and  as 
there  is  no  account  of  his  return,  it  seems  probable  tbot  he  spent 
his  days  there.  Other  exploratipns  were  made  by  the  Norwegians 
and.Grcenlanders  to  the  north,  v.no  penetrated  us  far  as  Barrow's 
Straits,  which  they  called  Krdksfjorlhr,  (Kroks-Firth  or  Striiil,)and 
the  land  on  the  northern  side,  now  known  as  the  Cumberland  Moun. 
tains,  they  denominated  A'roA-5/)'rtrf/tarAf/</u',  (Barien-highlands.of. 
Kroks. Strait.)  There  are  several  other  particulars  we  should  be 
glad  to  notice,  but  the  length  of  this  article  will  not  allow. 

Among  other  matters,  curious  and  important,  contained  in  this 
valuable  publication  from  Copenhagen,  not  noted  by  the  New. Haven 
Chronicle,  are  one  or  more  readings  of  the  celebrated  hierogly- 
phic  inscription  upon  "Dighton  Rork,"  in  Fall  River,  Miissachu- 
setts,  and  of  which  no  satisfactory  cx[danation  has  pn  viously  been 
given.  Tliese  Northern  Antiquaries  profess  at  len;ith  to  have  mas. 
tered  that  inscription.  They  pronounce  the  charicters  to  be  Ru. 
nic,  and  read  therein  n  confirmation  of  their  tli  ory,  that  a  settle- 
ment  was  formed  by  the  Nortliuum  at  Fall  River  as  early  as  the 
tenth  century.  But  this  is  not  all.  Since  the  work  of  th(i  Copen. 
hagen  Antiquaries  has  been  published,  another  discovery  has  been 
made  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Dighton  Rock,  which  is 
equally  curious  and  important  as  connected  with  this  invcctigation. 
The  discovery  referred  to  may  be  considered  the  most  inter'sting 
relic  of  antiquity  ever  discovered  in  North  America,  viz: — the  re- 
mains of  a  human  body,  armed  with  a  breast. plate,  a  species  of  mail, 
and  arrows  of  irtws ;  which  remains  we  suppose  to  have  belonged 
either  to  one  of  the  race  who  inhabited  this  country  for  a  time  an. 
terior  to  the  so-called  Aborigines,  and  afterwards  settled  in  Mexico 
or  Guatamala,  or  to  one  of  the  crew  of  some  Phoenician  vessel,  that, 
blown  out  of  her  course,  thus  discovered  the  western  world  long  be- 
fore  the  Ci  riatlan  era. 


AVVKSVIX.  ^03 

Tl.cs'  ro.imii,^  u«ro  dmru]  in  tho  t..wn  of  Fall  Rivnr    in  n  •  ,  i 
county.  Ma.s..cl.u,.u..  al>out  c,i«,...„  ...onl  .i'L^"'  '"  "'•'^'"' 

ol .    tav.njr  ,n  .ho  hank,  n„d   p„r,i„„     uncovered,  a  l„„nan  sk„|| 
w  ucl.  on  c.vuM.n.a.i..„   was  found  to  bdon.  ,o  a  body  bu    "d     "  1' 
H.  ..n,  posture,  tl.„  hoad  b,.in,  ,.„„,,  o„J,.,  ,,„,,.,  Jh,  , " 

lor  many  years  the  surface  of  the  .'round      'Pi.  ^'""    "''<'  "<'  " 

wa»™..r,,,K.,e„,,,v,,,..„,^Ho4^^::l;..:';:v:,:^^ 

in<r  of  coarse  hark  of  a  dark  color       VVifl.;„*f  .     "'"«  cover. 

ti  .  "  "'iinciiior.      ** 'turn  this  enve  one  worn  fniiiiH 

fef.mer,  uie  length  of  a  tube  be  n.r  the  width  of  d...  i.  i 
'or  ...0  i„c,.s  „„„„  „„j  „,,„  ;  -he  *  „  t  tV'        '        "" 'l' "' 


I'he  chest 


13 


J«      '■ 
1*1' 


»( 


?) 


i! 


694 


APPEXDIX. 


much  compressed,  but  the  upper  viscera  are  probably  entire.  The 
arms  are  bent  up,  not  crosserl ;  so  that  the  hands  turned  inwards 
touch  the  shoulders.  The  stature  is  about  five  and  a  half  feet. 
Much  of  the  exterior  envelope  was  decayed,  and  the  inner  one  np- 
peared  to  be  preserved  only  \vhere  it  had  been  in  contact  with  the 
brass. 

The  following  sketch  will  give  our  readers  an  idea  of  the  posture 
of  the  figure  and  the  position  of  the  armor.  When  the  remains 
were  discovered,  the  arms  were  brought  rather  closer  to  the  body 
than  in  the  engraving.     The  arrows  were  near  the  right  knee. 


::vl 


m 


The  preservation  of  this  body  may  be  the  result  of  some  embalm- 
ing  process ;  and  tliis  hypothesis  is  strengthened  by  the  fuct,  that 
the  skin  has  tiie  appearance  of  having  been  tanned;  or  it  may  be 
the  accidental  re!sult  of  the  action  of  the  salts  of  the  brass  during 
oxydation  ;  and  this  latter  hypothesis  is  supported  by  the  fact,  tliat 
the  skin  and  flesh  have  been  preserved  only  where  they  have  been  in 
contact  with,  or  quite  near,  the  brass ;  or  we  may  account  for  the 
preservation  of  the  whole  by  supposing  the  presence  of  saltpetre  in 
the  soil  at  the  time  of  the  deposit.  In  either  way,  the  preservation 
of  the  remains  is  fully  accounted  for,  and  upon  known  chemical 
principles. 

That  the  body  was  not  one  of  the  Indians,  we  think  needs  no  ar- 
gument. We  have  seen  some  of  the  drawings  taken  from  the  sculp- 
tures found  at  Palanqu6,  and  in  those  the  figures  are  represented 
'vith  breast-plates,  although  smaller  than  the  plate  found  a(  Full 


i 


APPKADIX. 


595 


noiner  s  ,it;.af  KopvdatoXos'EKTup. 


No.  XX. 


[Reference  fkom  Page  499.1 


We  the  subscribers,  Iiaving  been  remiP.,^,.^  ♦„    • 

Brant,  and  ihe  slale  of  his  ,„i„d  as  it  h„,p,„h  7  '"""^'F''  ■'°*l''' 
.ion-he.,!,y  declare,  ,„a,  havin"  1  Jf  „  "e'f "  '"  '''■'°'- 
neigNber  of  l,i,,  („„  f„„„  „dj„i  J,       2  nire,  f  ^T  '  """ 

were  inlimately  acquainted  will,  hi™?  „    '^  '  "'"<'•'""■•)  w« 

wa,  a  member  when  he  d,td  n!  i!,  1  .l"  "'"""'  "''  "'"=''  "" 
hi.n,  and  were  „re»„.  «•  hi iis  "ri  .' '^  rhr^ref  T  T'l 
was   painful,)   he   was  n  .finnf  on  I         •        V^  "'^*'' '  ^'''^'-h 

...anil  ,„  hi  rr,enr  f^rl-'a,:::, rX'e-h'ir'T;:?'"'"-™ 
n.on  that  during  hi,  ,iek„e,,,  a„d  „  iheeloie"  f  it  „„  "'"" 

Augustus  Bates, 

Wellington  Square,  U.  C.      }  '^'^'"'''  '^^''"• 

August  15th,  1837.         J 


'4' 


■^^     ! 


No.  xxr. 

[Reference  from  Page  526.] 

Letfrrto  the  M,H,,k  chief  Ahyon'v,aegks,  commonly  called  John  Brant 
Esq.  of  the  Grand  River,  Upper  Canada.  "'' 

g,jj  London,  January  20,  1822, 

Ten  days  ago  I  .as  not  aware  that  auch  a  person  existed  a.  the 


>'l 


I   . 


596 


APPENDIX. 


h  I 

r'    1 


■!■ 


>  I'ii 


..4. 


son  of  the  Indian  leader  Brant,*  who  li  mentioned  in  mj  poem 
"Gertrude  of  Wyoming."  Last  week,  however,  Mr.  S.  Bannister 
of  Lincoln's  Inn,  called  to  inform  me  of  your  being  in  London,  and 
of  your  having  documents  in  your  possession  which  he  believed 
would  change  my  opinion  of  your  father's  memory,  and  induce  me 
to  do  it  justice.  Mr.  Bannister  distinctly  Ensured  me  that  no  decla- 
ration of  my  sentiments  on  the  subject  was  desired  but  such  as  should 
spontaneously  flow  from  my  own  judgment  of  the  papers  that  were 
to  be  submitted  to  me. 

I  could  not  be  deaf  to  such  an  pppeal.  It  was  my  duty  to  inspect 
the  justification  of  a  man  whose  memory  I  had  reprobated,  and  I  felt 
n  satisfaction  at  ihe  prospect  of  his  character  being  redressed,  which 
was  not  likely  to  have  been  felt  by  one  who  had  wilfully  wronged  it. 
As  far  as  any  intention  to  wounc^  the  feelings  of  the  living  was  con. 
cerned,  I  really  knew  not,  when  I  wrote  my  poem,  that  the  son  and 
daughter  of  an  Indian  chief  were  ever  likely  to  peruse  it,  or  be  aflect- 
ed  bv  its  contents.  And  I  have  observed  most  persons  to  whom  I 
have  mentioned  the  circumstance  of  your  appeal  to  me,  smile  with 
the  same  surprise  which  I  experienced  on  first  receiving  it.  With 
regard  to  your  father's  character,  I  took  it  as  I  found  it  in  popular 
history.  Among  the  documents  in  his  favor  I  own  that  you  have 
shown  me  one  which  I  regret  that  I  never  saw  before,  though  I 
mifflit  have  seen  it,  viz.  the  Duke  of  Rochefoucault's  honorable  men- 
tion  of  the  chief  in  his  travels. f  Without  meaning,  however,  in  the 
least  to  invalidate  that  nobleman's  respectable  autiiority,  I  must  say, 
that  even  if  I  had  met  with  it,  it  would  have  still  offered  only  u 
general  and  presuuiptive  vindication  of  your  father,  and  not  such  a 
specific  one  as  I  now  recognize.  On  the  other  hand,  judge  how 
naturally  I  adopted  accusations  against  him  which  had  stood  in  the 
Annual  Register  of  1779,  as  far  as  I  knew,  uncontradicted  for  thirty 
years.     A  number  of  authors  had  repeated  them  with  a  confidence 

♦  The  name  has  been  almost  always  inaccnratoly  spelt  Brandt  in  English  books. 

fThe  following  twtimony  is  borne  to  his  fair  name  by  Roclieloiicaiilt,  whoso 
ability  and  means  of  forming;  a  correct  judgment  will  not  be  denied.  "Col.  Brant 
is  an  Indian  by  birth.  In  the  American  war  ho  fought  under  the  English  banner, 
and  ho  ban  since  been  in  England,  where  he  was  moat  graciously  'eceived  by  the  King, 
and  met  with  a  kind  reception  from  all  classes  of  people.  His  manners  are  semi- 
Europeini.  He  is  attended  by  two  negroes ;  has  established  himself  in  the  English 
way  ;  has  a  garden  and  a  firm;  dresses  after  thoEuropean  fashion  ;  and  neverthe- 
less possesses  mucn  influence  over  the  Indians.  He  assists  at  present  (1795)  at 
ihe  Miami  Treaty,  which  the  United  States  are  concluding  with  the  western  In- 
dians. He  is  al.so  much  respected  by  the  Americans  ;  and  in  general  bears  so  ei- 
cellent  a  nnme,  that  I  regret  I  could  not  see  and  become  acquainted  with  him." — 
Rochefoucault's  Trax'ds  in  yorth  .Imeriea. 


APPENDIX. 


597 


which  beguiled  at  last  my  suspicion,  and  I  belicvo  tl.nt  of  the  public 

->;e^vithzea,.,ainJ't,rA,:j;::;r''';^:i:%i: 

cry,  suddenly  possessed  themselves  of  two  (  ..f  ^    '     ''"'''• 

garrisons."     He  s.ysfartheT  "      u  «/   w  '  "i ''  T""''"''''^  "'" 

,uuh!  T  "'""''  "'°  '"'"'"•^  "'■  «""H'«ltin.  better 

.re,  can  me  to  tri.  r^ :;;,  ^^r ^i  iw';!:::;' 'ir 

that  Mr.  John  Adolphus  may  be  also  in-iu  >   i  n  '  '  ^"^ 

anerhisownde.ne  and  aiiaain:;  •;:;:;:::;:::-;  ^:;; 

one  of  my  historical  .-nisleaders,  to  stand  up  as  mv  «n   u  tZ  n 
sel.  and  say,  "  Gentlemen,  you  must,  acquit  ««  r  n,/  A  ?' 

faUen  i.,to  an  error,  .Uick  c.en  ^y  ju4r::i:^;IZ^l^::  ^^ 
In  short    I  .mb.bed  my  conception  of  your  father  from  Accounts 

of    .m  that  were  published  when  I  was  scarcely  out  of   nv  crH 

Andif  here  were  any  public.dKect,andspeeitliohallengZto    It 
accounts  .„  England  ten  ye.  rs  ago.  I  an.  yet  to  Io„r„  there  the; 

I  rose  from  perusing  the  papers  you  s.hmittod  to  mn  certainlv 
uUh  an  altered  impression  of  his   character.     I  fin.l  tl  a!  Mr 
vorablo  accounts  of  him  were  erroneous,  even  o„  n  in      .         '    '' 
riia.ely  connected  with  his  reputation.     It       rns  o       f  . "1  ;'"'"" 
that  he  was  a  Mohaw.  I„dia:,f  unmixed  ^C:  T  i  "Cr 
stance,  however,  ought  not  to  be  overlooked  in  est?ma(inc  I    n      '" 
of  h.s  attainments.     He  spoke  and  wrote  our  langl^^vt,: 
and  facd.ty,  and  had  enlarged  views  of  the  union  and^ohVv  of  I  e 
Indian  tnbes.     A  gentleman  who   had  been  in  Am.,  c        L  v 
wo.     .ought  in^rm^ition  respecting  him  in  con.^      ^  '        .^ 
nterest.ng  message,  told  me  that  though  ho  could  not  pretend  to 
precate  his  character  entirely,  he  had  been  struck  by  the  „ X^ 
and  eloquence  of  h,s  conversation.     They  had  talked  of  mu.ie     nd 
Bran    .nd    »     hke  the  harpsichord  well,  and  the  organ  h,.|,  ^^^ 
but  I  like  the  drum  and  trumpet  best  of  all.  for  they  n,„ke  mv  I        \ 
..at  quick."     This  gentleman  also  descrihld  to  L  TZl^ 


»i   W- 


M  •) 


i 


^!'     i 

! 


598 


APPENDIX. 


with  which  he  spoke  of  written  records.  Brant  projected  at  that 
time  to  have  written  a  History  of  the  Six  Nations.  Tiie  genius  of 
history  sliould  be  rather  partial  to  such  a  man. 

f  find  that  when  he  came  to  England,  after  the  peace  of  1783,  the 
most  distinguished  individuals  of  ail  parties  and  professions  treated 
him  with  the  utmost  kindness.     Among  these  were  the  late  Bishop 
of  London,  the  late  Duke  of  Northumberland,  and  Charles  Fox. 
Lord   Eawdon,   now   Marquis  of  Hastings,  gave  him  his  picture. 
Tliis  circumstance  argues  recommendations  from  America  founded 
in  personal  friendship.     In  Canada  the  memorials  of  his  moral  cha- 
racter represent  it  as  naturally  ingenuous  and  generous.     The  evi- 
dence afibrded,  induces  me  to  believe  that  he  oflcn  strove  to  mitigate 
the  cruelty  of  Indian  warfare.     Lastly,   you  athrm  that  he  was  not 
within  many  miles  of  the  spot  when  the  battle  which  decided  the  fate 
of  Wyoming  took  place,  and  from  your  offer  of  reference  to  living 
witnesses,  1  cannot  but  admit   the  assertion.     Had  I  learnt  all  this 
of  your  father  when  I  was  writing  my  poem,  he  should  not  have 
figured  in  it  as  the  hero  of  mischief.     I  cannot,  indeed,  answer  by 
anticipation  what  the  writers  who  have  either  to  retract  or  defend 
what  they  may  have  said  about  him,  may  have  to  allege  ;  I  can  only 
say  that  my  own  opinion  about  him  is  changed.     I  am  now  inclined 
exceedingly   to  doubt    Mr.   VVeld's  anecdote,  and  for  this  reason : 
Srant  was  not  only  trusted,  consulted,  and  distinguished  by  several 
eminent  British  officers  in  America,  but  personally  beloved  by  them. 
Now  I  could  conceive  men  in  power,  for  defensible  reasons  of  state 
politics,  to  have  officially  trusted,  and  even  publicly  distinguished  at 
courts  or  levees,  an  active  and  sagacious  Indian  chief,  of  v  hose  pri- 
vate character  they  might  nevertheless  still  entertain  a  very  indif- 
fercnt  opinion.     But  I   cannot  imagine  high-minded  and  high-bred 
British  officers   forming  individual  and  fond  friendships  for  a  man 
of  ferocious  character.     It  comes  within  my  express  knowledge  that 
the  late  General  Sir  Charles  Stuart,  fourth  son  of  the  Earl  of  Bute, 
tiie  father  of  our  present  Ambassador  at  Paris,  the  officer  who  took 
Minorca  and  Calvi,  and  who  commanded  our  army  in  Portugal,  knew 
your  fatiicr  in  America,  often  slept  under  the  same  tent  with  him, 
and  had  the  warmest  regard  for  him.     It  seems  but  charity  to  sup- 
pose the  man  who  attracted  the  esteem  of  Lord  Rawdon  and  General 
Slur.rt   to   have  possessed   amiable  qualities,  so  that  I  believe  you 
when   you  affirm  that  he  was  merciful  as   brave.     And  now  I  leave 
the  world  to  judge  whotiier  the  ciuinge  of  opinion,  with  wiiich  I  am 
touched,  arises  from  false  d«!licacy  and  ffexibility  of  mind,  or  from  a 
sense  of  honor  and  justice. 


APl'EJfDIX, 


Here,  properly  spenkinji,  ends  my  reel 


590 


father's  memory  ;  |„it  as  the  Canud 


my  reckoninnr  willi  you  abr.iit  yo 


lur 

™rks^n  ..e>u,e.  of  Wy^mi^r:;::^!:::::';;;;^:^ 

c.de  and  ns    l.s  letter  will  p,ol,ably  be  read  in  Canada    I  c^n" 

nave  oHcr  to  the  Canadian  writers  the  slightest  seasonin.^  of  bit 
terness  for  they  havo  alluded  to  me,  on  the  rvhole,  in  a  fri.  n^Jly  ^d' 
.bera,  one  But  when  they  regret  n.y  departure  fro.n  his  or  cat 
^uth.  I  jo.n.n  their  regret  only  in  as'  far  as  I  have  un  o  c t  ,v 
...sunderstood  the  eharae.er  of  Brant,  and  the  share  of  th  In  's 
"  the  transaction,  whieh  I  have  now  reason  to  suspect  wa  ,'71! 
less  than  that  of  the  white  men      In  nth..    ■  \ 

lihprf,-  ,<•  uz      .  '"^'  circumstances  I  took  the 

I.berty  of  a  versifier  to  run  away  from  fact  mto  a.ncv,  like  a  school 
boy  who  never  dreams   that  he   is  a  truant  when  h^  ran  h    s  on t 
holiday  from  school.     It  seems,  however,  that  I  falsely  re        e„ted 
^V yoming  to  have   een  a  terrestial  paradise.     It  was  n't s     s "  t  ' 
Ca  ad.an  papers,  because  it  contained  a  great  nuu.ber  of  Tories 
and  undoubtedly  that  cause  goes  far  to  account  for  the  fact.     I^nUW 
paradises,  however,  are  not  earthly  things,  and  Tempo  and  ArJa    a 
may  have  had  t  eir  drawbacks   on  happiness  as  well  as  Wyoming 
rnus    nevertheless  still  believe  that  it  was  a  flourishing  colonv   a.fcl 
ha   as  destruction  furnished  a  just  warning  to  human  bdngs  ag  i„  t 
war  and  revenge.     But  the  whole  catastrophe  is  afTirmed  i!.  a  cZl 
dian  newspaper  to  have  been  nothing  more  than  a  f.iir  battle, 
this  bo  the  fact   let  accredited  signatures  come  forward  to  attest  i 
and  vindicate  the  innocence  an.  honorableness  of  the  whole  trlns 
action   as  your  father's   character  has  been  vindicated.     Ap     nl" 
about  him  by  no  u.eans  proves  the  whole  accofmt  of  the  business  to 
be  a  hction.     M;ho  would  not  wish  its  atrocitv  to  be  dispro  ed" 
But  who  can  think  it  disproved  by  a  single  defender,  who  w    t  J 
anonymously,  and  without  definable  weight  or  authority  7 

In  another  part  of  the  Canadian  newspapers,  my  .heme  has  been 

regre  tea  as  dishonorable  to  England.     Then  it  ^as,  at  all  even  s 

no  fable.     But  how  far  was  the  truM.  dishonorable  to  Ent  an    J 

American  settlers,  and  not  Englishmen,  were  chiefly  the  whi^em  „ 

ca  ling  tnemselves  Christians,  who  were  engaged  iif  this  affa  r      J 

11  be     om.ndod,per  aps,  that  they  also  called  tiiemselves  Loyal. 

sts.     But    or  Heaven's   sake  let   not  English  loyalty  be  dra/Jd 

down  to  palliate  atrocities,  or  English  delicacy  be  invoked  to  Ton 

ceal  them.     I  may  be  told  that  England  permitted  the  v;ar.  and  waa 


H 


y 


'    i\ 


%i 


'H.  I 


it  t 


%: 


1 

1 1 

1 

!«H 


Sri 


If 


600 


APrENDIX. 


therefore  responsible   for  its  occurrences.     Not  surely  universally, 
noi  directly.     1  should  be  unwillin|i  to  make  even  Lord  Nortli's  ad- 
ministration  answerable  for  all  the  actions  of  Butler's  rangers;  and 
I  should  be  still  more  sorry  to  make  all  England  amenable  either  for 
Lord   North's  administration,  or   for  Butler's  rangers.     Was   the 
.\merican  war  an  unanimous  and  heartfelt  war  of  the  people?  Were 
the  best  patriots  and  the  brightest  luminaries  of  our  Senate  for,  or 
against  it?     Chatham  declared  that  if  America  fell  she  would  fall 
like  the  strong  man— that  she  would  embrace  the  pillars  of  our  con- 
stitution  and  perisli  beneath  its  ruins.     Burke,  Fox,   and   Barre 
kindled  even  the  breasts  of  St.  Stephen's  chapel  against  it ;  anil 
William  Pitt  pronounced  it  a  war  against  the  sacred  cause  of  Lib- 
erty.     If  so,  the  loss  of  out  colonies  was  a  blessing,  compared  with 
the  triumph  of  those  principles   that  would  have  brought  Washing, 
ton  home  in  chains.     If  Chatham  and  Pitt  were  our  friends  i.i  de. 
nouncing  the  injustice  of  this  war,  then  Washington  was  only  no. 
minally  our  foe  m  resisting  it;  and  he  was  as  much  the  enemy  of 
the  worst  enemies  of  our  constitution,  as  if  he  had  fought  against  the 
return  of  the  Stuarts  on  the  banks  of  the  Spey  or  the  Thames.     I 
say,  therefore,  with  full  and  free  charity  to  those  who  think  differ- 
ently,  that  the  American  war  was  disgraceful  only  to  those  who  were 
its  abettors,  and  that  the  honor  of  Englishmen  is  redeemed  in  pro. 
portion  as  they  deprecate  its  principles  and  deplore  its  details.   Had 
my  theme  even  involved  English  character  more  than  it  does,  I  could 
still  defend  it.     If  my  Canadian  critic  alleges  that  a  poet  may  not 
blame  the  actions  of  his  country,  T  meet  his  allegation,  and  deny  it. 
No  doubt  a  poet  ought  not  for  ever  to  harp  and  carp  upon  the  fliults 
of  his  country  ;  but  he  map  be  her  moral  censor,  and  he  must  not  be 
her  parasite.     If  an  English  poet  under  Edward  III.  had  on'.y  dared 
to  leave  one  generous  line  of  commiseration  io  the   memory  of  Sir 
William  Wallace,  how  much  he  would  have  raised  our  estimation 
of  the  moral  character  of  tht  age  !     There  is  a  present  and  a  future 
in  national  character,  as  well  as  a  past,  and  the  character  of  the 
present  age  is  best  provided  for  by  impartial  and  generous  sentiments 
respecting  the  past.     The  twentieth  century  will  not  think  the  worse 
of  the  nineteenth  for  regretting  the  American  war.     I  know  the 
slender  importance  of  my  own  works.     I  am  contending,  however, 
against  a  false  princijle  of  delicacy  that  would  degrade  poetry  itself 
if  it  were  adopted  ;— but  it  never  will  be  adopted. 

I  therefore  regret  nothing  in  the  historical  allusions  of  my  poem, 
except  the  mistake  about  your  father.  Nor,  though  I  have  spoken 
freelv  of  American  affairs,  do  I  mean  to  deny  that  your  native  tribeu 


APPBNDIX. 


601 


roya.  caule  1:1  :  '  J:!  ^  ^rf"^^  '"<r  ^'-^-^"-ed  to  U,e 
been  their  most  constant  iZr  7'"^  '"  ""  '*'"^''  "''"^'  ^'^'^ 
at  time,  their  treach  rl  "vl  ^'/'r  7  °"'"'  ^'J-^^'  Po-'% 
injustice  towards  your  trihoT  ,t t  ^'='^"''^«'>^ '"»-'' of  European 
must  still  deplore  the  eve     of'  .'''1      '"  '^'''^  ^  ^°"'^  «"y'  I 

"f  warfare,  and,  a  dr  LI:  .T'  ''''"°  adopted  their  mode 
voked  their  allianco  ",:";'" ^.'^^ ''";"  «*«°d,  of  their  naving  in. 

colonists,  tkat  I  ,d  I  v  hi:  tl."  "'^'  '"^  ^^"^'^""^^  "»  ^'^^ 
from   blending  their  «        tj  h  ^'^r  ^"-^'^^'^"^^  'o  deter  us 

tl'is  declaration  to  he  d  i  tr"'  •  '  'T  ^°"  ^^'"  ""^"^^^^ 
-ean  and  in!u>spitahle  a  '  V  I^r'  °'  '""'"'"'  ""^  "-^^  «^ 
spirit,  how  easily  and  low     "  '^  "'"''  ^  ''"''  '°^°"  '"  "^''^ 

can  Indians  have  d     „ Zi  n     ^    r       ^?"  *'"  "''  "'^^  *'^«  A'"-"" 
fare,  than  Christ  "„'  ,1        T  IT  '''"'  '^^  ^^^^''^^  «f  -"' 

persecution.  "    :    ,  '^  '^  ^  '^^-"  ''-^  habits  of  religious 

you  might  aslc  me  i^l     ;    e  tlron^J  ''"■^^^•^^"  '""^^"'^^ 
cold  and  «  hether  the  ^l^v.^Jtrirb  ^efa^ol'::;^  '^'X^T 

niand,  how  many—no   how  f.,.u  ^^' aooiished  /     You  might  de- 

old  women  were  bu  n  i  '      ■^""""'""^  ^''''  '^'^''^'^'^  -"ce  our 

whether  the  houses  h"  '^.""7  '7"""^  ^^'">  "'^  ^-'''  ^^^ 

"^others  may  have  Io„|  ,,7''"f     """'"' ""'"S^^^'-g-"''- 

cut.on.  whilst  they  h  ,        ''"""  P«-'%' *»  ^^e  place  of  exe. 

A  horrible  occurred,  o"  in  r"  ''  "^'^^  "^^^  "«'  -'^^'^- •' 
•ny  own  grandfath  V  i^Z:  Z  l  '\T  '"  '^""^"'^  ^"""^' 
exceedingly  sorry  if  you    v      7  n  """'''''  ""■''°"^^'  ^  ^'^^"'d  ^e 

old  ancestors,  the  Scott  .1  In  ^T  """  T'"  °"  *''°^^  "^"^^  ^^-^- 
ieet  the  ener.V,  fa^ri  ^   i;!;  y":nd:"'  ^^T'''''" ''-' 

or  ,>™l,x.     And  '^ o,urnM^^Z^^^^  ■-;  -'"  ^^  thought  ostentatious 

.■.V  .-.n  w,ll  no.  be  felt  a/o,in'v  '  J'^'/h  Ih  T  ""  "'  ""''''' ^"'  °' 

w,ih  ,.n.v  defenc-s  of  mine  u,.«inHt  unv  ,H  l.^L  '^    '"  ^^'  "''"■■  ■"=<="  '«'"i'l«d 

although  I  may  have  hee„  a       r    "  J,;'"   „        ? P'^'"7'''*'-^^r«'"«e literary : 

of  hostile  critic.is.„.     To  ,UoJ7^,  Um  7^      ^  ""  '^^°'"  "o-insto  the  justice 

'nust  mention  a  n.isreproHen.olioM  r.  .  1  „7 2"'"  "''''■""''''"'  '"'°"'  P^Wicity,  I 

suff-ored  ,0  re„.ain  "neL,„.d„,:;f        ^  '^  "\  which  I  have 

graphi..,al  sketch  prefixed  toil  in  an  A  n  -Sn     IV       , ''''"""'°"  ''''"S'  i"  a  bio- 

J-cdthecompositionofthapo  „  V      :     ,  ^';;"' '^'^^'^f  -e  as  having  i„. 

passages.    Now  1  read  it  ,o  yary  Z  IZ    "^  '^"  "■''"  '''"'•''  °"'  "«  ''e^t 

ever  struck  out  a  single  hno.    mATXT^  '"  .7""  "'  ""^^^  ^""^^'i""  ^ 

nuserabiedistrustofmyown  i.^.Z! ZkZZ-^!:'"'  "''  ""^^  ""^  ^'^"* 
VOL.  u.  -      ^y   '"-"""' «ircfiote  conveys.    I  knew  that 


•  'I 


■  m 


ii 


:  f 


! 


Nail 


QQ2  APPENDIX. 

I  have  been  thus  special  in  addressing  you  from  a  wish  to  vindi- 
cate my  own  consistency,  us  well  us  to  do  justice  to  you  in  your 
present  ciicumstances,  which  are  peculiarly  and  publicly  interesting. 
The  chief  of  an  aboriginal  tribe,  now  settled  under  the  protection  ot 
our  sovereign  in  Canada,  you  are  anxious  to  lead  on  your  people  in 
a  train  of  civilization  that  is  already  begun.  It  is  impossible  that 
the  British  community  should  not  be  touched  with  regard  for  an  In. 
dian  stranger  of  respectable  private  character,  possessing  such  use- 
ful  and  honorable  viows.  Trusting  that  you  will  amply  succeed  in 
them,  and  long  live  to  promote  improvement  and  happiness  amidst 
the  residue  of  your  ancient  race, 

I  remain,  your  sincere  well. wisher, 
Thomas   Campbell. 

Mr,  Irvin"  was  tlic  last  man  in  the  world  to  make  such  a  misrepresentation  intcn 
tionaliy,  a"nd  that  I  could  easily  contraditt  it ;  but  fioin  aversion  to  bring  a  petty 
anecdote  about  myself  before  tl-s  world,  I  forbore  to  say  any  thing  about  it.  The 
rase  was  dilTercnt  when  a  Canadia;.  v.:  tor  hinted  at  the  patriotism  of  my  subject. 
There  he  touched  on  my  principles,  and  I  have  defended  them,  contending  that  on 
the  supposition  of  the  story  of  Wyoming  beins  true,  it  is  a  liigher  compliment  to 
British  feeling  to  reveal  than  to  palliate  or  hide  it. 


THE  KND 


i 


INDEX 


iW 


Aaron,  vol,  11,  28(5,  518. 

Ab^l,  David,  ir,  173,  107,  198,  204 

AI..>rcroiMl,ie,  Uen.,  I,  7,  11.     ' 

A<k  an,  ,  Major,  I,  ^71.  272. 
Aokhind,  Lady,  J,  272',  4US, 469,476, 

^''"'xx?''^''"^"'^  of  Author,  I,  xxito 

Adftir,  Major,  If,  ii,  330'. 

/\(lnins,  Col.,  1,  209. 

A'lani.s,  Jolin^  j^  2(!6 

A<iiii>..s,  Join,,  11^  isd^  214 

A.  aws,  SuMuel,  I,  266. 

Adain.s,  Mr.  J,  137. 

Ad.li.soii,  Rev.  Mr.  H,  426,  4,33  584 

Addre.^e.s,   prepar-d  by  Congress.  'l, 

A'iolj.lni.s,  .Tohn,  II,  r,f)7 

AfhlaviiofDr,  Yonnglov^e,  I,  4.-59. 
Ai;li.>luj.uajv.sera,  H,  ,070. 

As;<.liii,-.Lliiuiii,  1,  4(l(). 
Al.luinnMa.MvaiiimU,  Solomon,  sent  to 

Aluoiiwai.ghs,  II,  250.  5(i0.  524  5-^s 
J2^,5^0,G3],532,533;  634.535; 

Albany  Council,  I,  430,  94,  98,  103, 

Albany,  Auawnt  goat  of  Mohegan.s  I 
57;  Indian  n.^ne  of,  57;  KeplU 
to  Guy  .Jol.n.son,  67,69;  Council 
tire  removed  to,  kxv, 

^Ibaiiy,  il.  411,428,  456,  458. 

A'en,(:o|   Jcb.bod,  I,  354,  372,373. 

^i(li-ns  Cijr]).s,  II,  .o 

Alilii.h  killed,  II,  73. 

Algonquins  liostile  to  Six  Nations,  I, 

Algonqiiins,  11,240. 

Allegany,  11,41,45,301. 

Allen's    liiogiaplncal    Dictionary,  on 

I^rant,  I,  18  •" 

A  lion,  Capt.  I,  234. 

'^'''V7,''493:^^^'^^^'22*^'322.327. 


'^"'";yj^'!];;'^^"pt"'-«'^j,7s,ii6,i57, 

Allen    K'tban;   H,  ],^;{,  ]so,  181,  182 
,       !!-■',  ]1»S,  ID!),  20  1  2(1      "02   9fvT' 

^    -'-In.,  II,1.H  197:^02:2  3' 
Allon,  Lt.  H.  M.,  11,572 

"^ ""','•  jjj|'^'»ident,  lieniurks  on  Krant, 
I  Allentown,  I,  343. 

AliiesanivefRmiFrnnce,  I,  346. 
Alston,  Mr,s.,  H,  4;-i5,  457. 

An.es,   Ezra,  paints  portrait  of  Braut. 

Auilierstand  Oleii,  I,  H    ig 
Aniusenient.-i,  H,  445'_      ' 
'iiiiiipuKpia,  I,  17S. 
Anta.sier,   II,  rm. 
Anciom,  Majoi-,  J,  250,  252 
Andre,  cai)t(n'e  of,  I,  25s" 
^"•''^/./'^'i'M  ":  301,  102,  103,  132, 

An.lm.st'own,  I,  nr.'i,  363. 

Angnatja,  I,  37h. 

Antiquities  of  iNorth  America,  II  deu 

Aongliwuigaga,  II,  576, 
Aqn.-^hua,  II,  394. 
Araglikvvente,  II,  57(3, 
Aranda,  Count,  II,  241. 
Arbitrary  arrests  denounced,  I,  66 
Arbuekle,  Capt.  1,191    j<j3/ ''*'''• 
Arenghoot,  11,576. 
Arlington,  II,  200, 
Armistead,  Lt.  0.,II,  572. 

Armstrong.Capt.,  II,  505,  506 
AruKslrohg,  Gen.,  I,  28ti.  '        ' 

Armstrong,  Gen.  John,  II   315 

Arnent,  Kn.sigii,  I,  234.     ' 

VV  f-'^'.h  "7'   153,  156,  157. 

S3;  IJ5;  III;,  l^ '''' "«.  141 

Arnold,  Mrs.,  II,  ]oi    i(\o 
ArogUyadagba,  Old  Brant;  I,  5. 


9* 
It 


h 


602 


INDEX. 


Arogliyaclofka,  nllno  Old  Brant,  T,  12, 

ArsDii,  ('«|it.    II,  UH. 
Ai'iiclt'H  of  Conl'i'ilHriition,  I,  297. 
Aiti'l-Hof  Coiil'iMl,,  II,  241. 
AHuill.  ("ol.,  I,  17(». 
A^li,  (liJii.,  II,  Til. 
A»<lit(in,  Citpt.,  II,  2ir). 
A'-litDii'MHtullon,  11,  215. 
Aniii,  niitn  nf  war,  1,  1('5. 

AMsiiiii|iiink  (;r»'t!k,  1,  ns. 

ArayiitiirdMnliItt,  h<.t\m,  1,  401. 
Aliiyiitiiroi.Klitti,  11,  IIU,  120,122,123, 

l.')l,4i;j. 
Aiiliriiy,  Mint,,  I,  4ffl. 
All  Olnlz...  II,  :<;i4,  335,  338,  340,355, 

3(i0,  375,  370,  383,  3M),  5U5,  5(J7. 
AuimiiM'iit,  (^iipl.  lli-iiilriok,  a,  307. 
Hiiilluiii,  Miijor,  I,  239. 
Hiull.a:k,  ('it|it,,I,  338. 
Ungl.'y,  l.t,  .1..  1,  54(i. 
]<ail<7,  KiiMgii   1,234. 
liailey,  Will.,  II,  31)3. 
Hull,  Capt  ,1,  2h7. 
Hall,  Col,,  II,  110,212,  214. 
Hill  I,  U.iil.,  1,234. 
UaM  eagle  nil  old  Delaware  killed,  I, 

4(1. 
I'.aliad,  Sinclalr'H  Dpffat,  II,  551. 
l<alU*oii,  1,  2U,  310. 
Jiall.ston,  U,  152,  154,  156,  210    211, 

212, 
Haimi-tiT,  Huxp,  II,  524,  526. 
liaiiiliii,  Major,  II,  07. 
Uaiclay,  Hov.  Dr  ,  I,  26. 
Jianl,  iJr.,  11,450. 
Haiker,  Dr.,  1,  104. 
liarkor,  Win  ,  1,421, 
Haroiiial  Hall,  l'ortilii)d,  I,  54. 
liai'i'iiiKtoii,  II,  147, 
HathUHt,  Lord,  11,524. 
KuIl'h,  AuKiirttii^,  II,  595. 
lIutttMi,  JaiiioM,  II,  5H2. 
Batt.'iiklll,l,  271. 
Uatioii'H  llot.'l,  II,  453. 
Bauiii,  Col,,  dofunled,  I,  232,  267,277, 

47il, 
nay  of  Qiiliitp,  II,  239,  275,  497,  572. 
Baylor,  Col.,  I,  347. 
Hwacrftft,  II,  57,  (14. 
UeadlH,  Col  ,  11,436, 
Beard  iiluckfd  l>y  Indians,  11,479. 
Beard'H  Cr.-ek,  II,  33. 
B^aHl.'y,  C(d  ,  II,  3(;5. 
BeftHloy,  Ulcliftid,  II,  573,  574,  575. 
Beaver  Cruc'k,  II.  3.')0. 
Beaver  Uhhih,  II,  178,  516. 
Benvertoii,  I,  350. 
Bedell,  Colonel,  I,  153. 
BehmuH  IlelghtH,  I,  270. 


Ilelknnp,  Dr.,  11,466. 
Ittll,  Mr.,  niiirderi'd,  I,  363. 
HellingHr,  I.t.  Col.,  Krcderick,  I,  242. 
HelliiiK.r,  John,  II,  lUO. 
UeUii.gHr,   Col     IVter,    I,   242,    249; 

forced  letter  of,  460. 
lieiiiis,  J'lliies,  1),,  t,  187. 
Benliain,  Caj-l.  Robert,  II,  50,  56. 
Heiiiiiiigtoii,!,  232,  265,  277,  302,  479. 
Heniiington ,  II,  131,  181. 
BeiiHon,  K^l.ert,  II,  368,  410,  413. 
Berne,  I,  287,  28S, 
Heriiett,  CnMtain,  I,  310. 
berry,  '       ,  II,  572. 
Hethlel  II,  211. 

BettvsJ^.  ,>li,  II,  172,  210,211,  218, 

213. 
Bible  of  Sir  .lolm  .lolingon,  I,  145. 
Hidwpll,  Hon.  M.  S.,  11,534, 
Big  Beuver,  II,  217. 
Big  Knives,  II,  2!)3,  375,  566. 
Hig  Tree,  11,  245,  377. 
Billing.s,  Capt.,  11,  138. 
Billington,  fci-.iinuel,  I,  242. 
Hird,  Ci.pt.,  I,  339. 
Bird,  Col,,  I,  283. 
Bird,  Col  ,  II,  71. 

Bird,  Lieut.   Henry,  I,  220,  221,  222, 
227,  229. 

Bi,-<liop  of  London,  II,  251. 

Bishop  of  Quel.ec,  II,  432,  433,  434. 

Black  River,  II,  570. 

Black  snake,  H,  381,387. 

Bluckstocks,  II,  100. 

Blanvelt,  Major,  I,  242. 

Bleeeker,  Mrs.  Ann  Kliza,  I,  206,  207. 

Bleeuker,  Capt  ,  I,  234,  357,  358. 

Bleeoker,   .lolin  ,1,,  I,  121,   124,  128, 
129,  Li  1,  206. 

Bleecker,  John  J.,  11,  173. 

Bleecker,  Capt.  Leonard,  11,546. 

Bleecker,  Rutgers,  I,  133. 

Blivon,  Jolm,  on  coinniittep,  I.  73. 

Bloodgood,  S.  De  Witt,  I,  408.' 

Bloomlield,  Major,  I,  472. 

Blnclier,  anecdote  of,  I,  242. 

Blue  Jacket,  II,  387,  388. 

Blue  Lick.H,  II,  232. 

Boersller,  Col.,  II,  510,  517. 

Bogardus,  Lieut.,  I,  234. 

Bogardua,  Lt.  B.,  II,  546. 

Bokum,  Prof.,  II,  165. 

Bolland,  Mr.,  in  behalf  of  Colonies,  I, 
49, 

Bolton,  Lt.  Col.,  1,384. 

Bone,  Peter,  I,  107. 

Bontas,  11,212. 

Boon,  Col.  Daniel,  I,  349,  351,423. 

Boon,  Daniel,  11,  71,  171,  2l5,  218, 
232. 


'■■"""••'"—  nnw — ^ 


INTliA. 


BooTiB  THpt.  Ffawklnq,  r,  422 
i<i)onsl,oroin<fi.  r,  34<),  aftl 

ille!'  '''  ''' ''''  "•^'  i«».  162*, 

Bosuvll,   Jamp,,   describes  Brant,  I, 

Di'Smll,  JamPB,  If,  25!, 
Iloii-'mnwpiitii.s,  n  394 ' 
Uo...w1«o'  Iroubles,  U.  237,  364,  373, 

l|oiintiHsto  Indians,  r    ],W 

Woiiiities  for  scalps,  [  'w?  ' 

Bonen,  Peter,  f,  110,' 114' 
™".  Lt.  Prentice,  M,  r,46 
Uownian,  Cr,|  ,  f,  4:J2,  423 
«'>wrnnn,  .faeol),  I    24"       ' 
no"i>ian,  Capt.  J„.s.  ph"  r  3M 
1  "wnmn,  Mr!.  I.  3(.9.    •   •  ^"• 
liownian's  Crenk,  f,  311. 
n'O-l,  JartiHS,  I,  427 

l^o.d.^Lieut.,  ,1,29.  30,  31,  32,33,67, 
Brainerd,  Rev.,  H.  224. 
Bradley,  Commodore.  1  2"! 
B-I«t^eet,  Gen.,    .n'^e,  -/p,^,^   j^ 

Brandywinp,  r.  197,  284 
B'ant,  C.Mtharine,  If,  .,00 

^"■520"^'"'"'  "'   ''''   «'«.  519. 

■-iS*';  title.  537    ^'   ''"'■  *""''i^«n. 

^™"46?rr  '/"'^f  ^•>'  "'-  father,  H 
4b.')  4(<b;  lu.s  fan.il V.  4H7        '      ' 

Bra„t._.ac.ob.  „,  463.  4'o9,"70.  477. 

^^,S09;^.,^;,fS|-^^-- 

51h    oxp,o,t  at  Beaver  DanW.-ilb-: 
at  Cinppe„.a  and   Lund/«  Lne,* 

Brant,  John,  manners  of.  If  .5]fi  ^9^. 

«-oea  to  Knffland    <;9J .  '  •    j.    "''' 

^      l.iB  father-stm-Vl,'  .^^^'^'^^'^^ 

Brant.  ^Joh„.  Corresponde'.^.f  ,f,  „, 

"™";n":;^ii;^r"r'"-'">Mor- 

Brant.  John,  elected  to  Prov.  Pari.,  ir. 
Brant,  .John,  dies  of  cholera,  IF  534  • 
r,J'T  °f  ''"'•«■  Campbell     j  595  ' 

B-am,  Joseph,  0.t..o,ra^hyoV'„ame. 
|.  XV  ,    papers  left  .y,  xxii  •   nor 

"•a.tsof,r,xxviii;    birtl.idm 
rentage  of    J     i     9    o    V,       P;^* 

lisI.e'latKnito;.  I  2.'lV  ^'''^'■ 
deliouH^j  V  I  i'  •  '^'  ^Vampnm 
delivered  to,  I,  7 ;  goes  with  Sir 


603 


Wm.  Johnson  to  Delrnit.  I  Ifl. 
/arlyon  the„ar.path  ID*.,; 
BH'tIc  of  Lake  Uenl^e.  '  'j, 
^""«  0  NiaKara,  I,  lii) :' ,ent  ' 
sc^l.'-o  at  Lebanon.'!.  !..,;■  i,? 
terpreter.  I,2:i,   t'oes  on  an  ex  , 

d'tion  against  I'ontiao,  I,  24    mar 
riesand  hKleo   1    '>-•,   y?         ■  .' 

i»  Missions  1%  r  .;;•  ^^'  "•'•"•■*'■'• 

Kt.  Hunter     '    't.^I'  '"'''""^^■^  '" 
Kioiis     I    y-  *,*".'    ''•'""incH  reli- 

arm,. '34?,;    'J-'-O^yJol.... 
Kirkia;.dV'lo'i,,   'V  ^ '."V'r-^ 

",  W,  64,  .i7;    invades  MoS 
conntrv.  II  05  07.   1    ,  ">"""«K 
a,  o„     ■  ,  '• "'  "'  i  ''*'strov8  fort 
at  Canajoharie,  11,  97,  10,'/;  re  ea 
8«s  jirisoners.  If    uyj.   ^^  '    , 

y^'^^ty,  I,  104;  fitatemenrS 
c^'n..ngre8c„eofJohnson,f  144": 
promoted,   I    147;    trait    'of  V 

■'•J',    .ii49      portra  fs     f    I'll.        ' 

o/C-edars.I,15lV53!'l.5'l'! 
prevents  a  maasaore.  I    155  r^tJ.' 

;^>:'J!i^"..KlSei' 

186:ChiW;.fSi^N,LnriT8'8'.' 
at  Cherry  Valley,  r,  189     ;  't,  'sV 

^-,  229,  2.J(i ;   at  Battle  of  Oris 
kany,I,235,  240,24.3.  244 -T 

tempt  to  seize  Mr.  Taylor,/, '290: 

n  eague  with  Western    ndia     * 

1.304:  on  Susquehanna,  /.  310  : 

a  tacks  Sprinmield,  I.  3  2 ;    „ot 

tori3'6>'r'/"r''^A"'^^"'- 
1.364,365;   iiotinagatiieringa 
1  'oga,  I  371 ;  attacks  Ciierry  Val- 
ley. I,  372    379,  380  ;   an  L te  - 
pnse  checked,  I,  400,  401,  403 
404;  attacks  .Minisink,  I  4|,'i  417.' 
opposes  Sullivan's  Kxpe'ditio'n,  U* 
19;    .n   Battle  of  Newtown.' H 
<^y,  -26  ;  captures  Lt.  Boyd,  J{^  30, 


it 


r 


' 


^4 


INDEX. 


h 

Dill 


I'lm 


,'.1 


D 


H 


31 ;  hostilo  to  Rpd  .Tail.it,  Tl,  .IS  ; 
ill  Hiittlit  of  KldfkV  1m.-1iIh,  II, 
iJ4,  125;  at  Magnrn,  II,  136;  t'x- 
peditioi)  jirojuised  by,  H,  llili ; 
novfiH  ill  Molmwk  hctti.-iiifiits, 
II,  143,  144;  vlmiMUi  iittiiik,  II. 
144;  (lilleia  from  Walter  Hiitlir, 
II,1[)3;  iit'glticttMl  in  Trtiily,  11, 
238,239;  conveneH  ii  Coiiniil,  II, 
239;  didpleaai'd  with  'i'ri'iily,  II, 
245;  writf-j  to  Col.  Monroe,  II, 
24G;  rHceivoB  great  iitti'iilioii!',  II, 
249,  250  ;  writes  to  Lord  Sidney, 
II,  252,  :."'  :  ftpiilies  for  Inilt  pay, 
11,  256  ;  l(!tt>  r  to  Sir  Kvaii  NejiH. 
an,  11,257;  N.itiiering  retort  of, 
II,  259  ;  attends  r  niatiquerade,  II, 
259  ;  translates  jir.^yer  book  and 
psaltns,  11,  260;  returns  to  Cana- 
da, II,  261 ;  bomiiliiry  question,  II, 
303,  3tJ4  ;  negociations  ninoiig  In- 
dians, II,  264,  358  ;  letter  from 
Gen.  Knox,  II,  266;  letter  houi  Sir 
Jolm  Johnson,  II,  267,  2b5,  2s7, 
296,  389;  letter  from  Major  M:it- 
Ihews,  11,  270  ;  jirejiaivs  to  attend 
aCouncil,  II,  274  ;  letter  to  Lieut. 
Langdon,  II,  275,  277;  letter  to 
Bir  John  Johnson,  II,  276,  407  ; 
attends  at  Fort  Hannar,  II,  281  ; 
introduces  white  settlers,  II,  283  ; 
letter  from  Pres.  Willaid,  II,  288  ; 
jiroposes  to  write  a  History  of  Six 
Nations,  II,  288,  441  ;  letter  from 
Gov.  Clinton,  II,  28'J  :  eorresponds 
with  McKee,  II,  2i)l ;  letter  from 
Detroit,  II,  294;  letter  to  Cajit. 
MuKeu,  II,  2!)8 ;  letter  from  Col 
Gordon,  II,  300,  320  ;  holdsai)ri- 
vate  Council,  II,  302;  negotia- 
tions westward,  II,  302,  303,304; 
his  inHuente  sought,  11,  30.'),  306, 
319,  331 ;  charged  with  vanity,  II, 
306  ;  designs  pacific,  II,  307  ;  in 
Battle  of  Mianii.s,  II,  313;  letter 
from  Rev.  S.  Kiik'uml,  II,  320  ; 
letter  from  Secretary  of  War,  II, 
321 ;  letter  to  Sec.  War,  II,  324, 
332,333;  letter  from  Sec  War, 
II,  325 ;  visits  I'hiladclphia,  II, 
327,  328,  329  ;  threatened  in  Mo- 
hawk Valley,  II,  327,  330  ;  doe^ 
not  attend  Treaty  at  Minimi,  II, 
834,  335  ;  complimentary  letter 
of  Duke  of  Northumberland,  II, 
337;  attends  Treaty  at  .Miiimi  Ra- 
pids, II,  340  ;  returns  to  liiilliilo, 
II,  342;  speech  at  Council,  II, 
343,  344,  346,  352;  goes  to  Miami, 
11,347;  ellortto  secure  Indians' 


rlghtfl,  II,  351,  352;  did  not  con- 
I'ur  in  a  treaty,  II,  356  ;  at  'i Coun- 
cil at  Hutfa'lo  Creek,  II,  362  ; 
Fpeecli  <if,  II,  3(i2,  364;  hostilities 
threatened  by,  II,  377  ;  letter  to 
Col.  Smith,  II.  379;  pi''pariiig 
for  hostilities,  II,  379,  3.-1  ;  letl.r 
from  Gov.  ^iincoe,  II,  ;i9i»,  39;^; 
hosiile  negotiations,  II,  393  394; 
end  of  mililary  iaie"r,  II,  .'(95; 
liind  negotiations,  II,  3!if;,  397, 
401,  403',  409  ;  settles  whites  on 
Grand  River,  II,  397,  3'.i8;  op. 
p  ised  to  land-jobbei  II,  399, 
400;  his  plan  of  tenu  II,  J02 ; 
letter  to  Tho  Morris,  II,  405  ; 
bitterness  towards  Deputy  Siipt., 
II,  409  ;  engaged  in  sale  to  I.iviiii;- 
Bton,  II,  410,  411;  blamed  by 
Caughnawagfts,  II,  411;  vImIs 
Albany,  H,  411,  412;  letter  to 
Thomas  Morris,  II,  412;  visits 
Caughnawaga,  II,  413;  amieablH 
settlement,  11,414;  hostile  to  Red 
Jacket,  11,416,417;  letter  to  l)iik(» 
of  Northutnberland,  II,  417,  424, 
429  ;  his  acts  investigated,  11,418; 
his  appeal,  II,  419,  420,  421  ; 
speech  in  his  behalf,  11,422;  e> 
onerated,  II,  422,  423;  Council 
at  llulfalo,  II,  423;  pro;  oses  to 
visit  KngI  iiid,  II,  424  ;  letter  from 
Duke  of  Northumberluiii,  II,  426; 
starts  for  England,  II,  428  ;  visit 
deferred,  II,  428;  his  ^mio  of 
ihe  Mohawks,  II,  43(1 ;  a.<  .^  'jvrni- 
er,  II,  431  ;  literary  labors,  Ii, 
431  ;  letter  to  Sir  John  .loVn- 
son,  II,  432  ;  attempts  to  jirociiie 
a  pastor,  433,  434,  435,  4.36  ;  let- 
ter to  Chief  Justice,  II,  434; 
letter  to  Aaron  IJurr,  11,  436; 
procuies  a  juistor  from,  U  S.,  II, 
438;  letter  trom  liev.  J  M.  Ma- 
son, 11,439  ;  tenipeiaiice  measures, 
11,441,442;  Council  to  settle  a 
difficulty,  II,  446  ;  games,  II,  447; 
con<loleneo,  II,  451  ;  speech  i.nd 
reply,  II,  4ril,  452,  453;  letter 
describing  a  journey,  II,  4.'j3  ;  let- 
ter from  Hurr,  II,  455,  4.')6,  457; 
received  at  Burr's  house,  II, 
456;  o|iinion  of  Ur.  Mill-r,  II, 
457  ;  visits  New  lOnglaiid,  11,458; 
hostility  in  .Molmwk,  II,  458,  459  ; 
threatened  by  Wells,  II,  459  ;  en- 
terlaiued  at  Albany,  II,  459,  460  ; 
anecdotes  told  by,  II,  460,461; 
his  motives  as  a  warrior,  11,  461, 
462;    iu  domestic  life,  11,  463; 


INDEX. 


tl.rto«mnrri,.^,  ir,3fi3;  1,|«  d.il. 
jlrHM  II  ;).;,(;  kilJH  his  «on  Nanc, 
,••■.,•'•  •^*'''.!  '""'I»'M  resigniui,,,,, 
I  ,.J(J(,;   opinion  of  Council,  1| 

•i'.;  n|.,,..u|  for  ...lucatiun  of  l.iH 
<.lii.r-n,  If,  4(is;   i,,u^,r  ,„  ^  , 

n  ,...|o,-k,i(  4r-),471;  iKUTto 
■li'lin  Wh^-lock,  11,47(1,  47.}.  47.', • 
l';llerof,lurn..H\Vh..,.|o(,k,  11,472' 
4/4  ;  JHtifr  (roni  .loliii  VVht^lr    ■, 

Ml,..Hlo,k,   II,  47s ;  corrcM  .lu'.  1 
♦;iHv„r,II,47!t,481;|«tt<TU.  '/r   ' 
flloC.uim-lun.1,  11,  47i);iinti(nwriu 
ivseiirclieH,  II,  4^U;  iwiHc.nul  „,, 

l'"'V'""»    ".-l^S,  •<!)•!:   i.roi.o^His 
<)   lemu  Gr...k,    II,   48!) ;    lelWr 

<>;t.Tiu\lr,  Ivirkl„nd,If,4!t;i;  Imil.is 
I'lrnt  I'-iiiscojial  cliu-cli   wi  (J.  (; 
1I,4I),0;   ehariiiter,    II,   498;    f^l 

toi_tauiM,n.IeniiinuVVilkii,,soii,l| 
4!!/  ;  liuildH  u  lioiisi-,  IJ  4^^'. 
dies,  11,4110;  Iii.x  fiiinily,  1 1,  .MlO  ^ 
niiM  ivtiinisto  iMolmwks,  II  ,501  •' 

wi.lmv.  11,037;   votn  of  thanks, 
]   ,.04iti  l"tU..ironi  Gov.  Clinton,  I 
il,  .)('!•;  Chapin'.s  certlfl-ate,  II, 
.)71 ;  teitilicate  of  ('apt.  L.'onnr.l, 
U,   f)i2;  .spoeidi  lit  Niagiini,  U 
f)/7;  Inttcr  of  JeroniiLs  J(din«on' 
11,  r.82,  5Ki ;  K-tter  from  Saul  Ph.' 
ters,    11,  .OhJ;    ut  liiti  death,  il 
595.  ' 

Brant,  Joseph,  jr.,  II,  463,  4G9,  470, 
4/8.  ' 

l^rant,   Mary,  alias   Molly,   I.  Ig    33 
H  87,  183,  387.  '       ' 

Hinnt,  M^lly,  H,  51!),  .'J3(;. 
Unn.t,^  Ni.ku«,  1,  3,4,0,10,11,  16, 

liraiitlo'rd.  II,  467,  537. 

Brant  House,  11,517,  513. 

Biea.iley,  Ciipt.  .lohn,  I,  242. 

Hreynian,  Col.,  I,  268,  273. 

Uriaiit's  station,  II,  216 

Uriar  <  r«.k,  II,  51. 

Uriimr.s,  Cupt.,  I,  397. 

Jiiigliiun,  Capt.,  II,  470,  472 

Broad  Kiver,  11,  lllO. 

«rouk,  Lt.  Col.,  II,  673. 

Brock,  Gen.  Wool,  II,  507,  508,  509. 

Jirodaik's  house  oocurrence  at,  I,  357 
Jiro.Jliead,  Col    DaniVI,  H,  41.  42   43' 
,,      45,46,47,49,207  208,2(19    '• 
Uronkahor.ve,  I,  461. 
Brooklyn,  British  at,  1, 170 


605 


Rrooks,  Col.,  1,273. 

Brotlitr,  niiirdir  l)v,  II   28 

Urown,  Capt.  Christian,  I,  313,  353. 

Brown,  Col  ,  H,  ]i«    ny    ^7    ,,-. 

I  11».1^<M24,  125.       '         '  "^• 

Brown,  ,loi,,,  .\i._  i_  yjjj 

I  B"»vn,ki||,.,|,  11,58. 

!  Brown'MSuholmria  quoted,  I  57 
,  'frowiLson,  Timothy,  1 1,  ]!)9        " 

Ur.dpnHJi,  1,272,469. 
I  Un.pvkk  troop.s,  from  Duke  of,  I, 

'  P'ya" I    Station,  (I,  171 
!hu'\,iii  111,. James,  II,  r,l') 

"'""''    "'^'Kl,  H,  13'i,  I8().'l89. 
•<.»!  Kloons,  11,  42 

"""4;;8,^2ifii,2.'''''''''^^^' 

Buffalo  Cronk,  I,  xxk. 

BuUalo  CrH,.k,  1;,  244,  266,  28.5,  301 

Buford,Co|.,ll,<)9, 
J|>'ll,  Capt.,  l,;i;f,  183. 
Bullft,  dispii((li,..s  in,  If  213 
Bunk.Tllill,  hatlloof,  1,71)   J 15 
Jiurgoym.,  (j,,n.,  I,  7!»,  m',  lit",;'   107 
198,  201,  203.  2(4,  2(15.  2<li   o,' 8 
209,229,231,2,^2   i:41    24   '-(.' 
261.  2.,4,  265;  .,;8    269)  ^l^,  S    '' 

Ar^  i'^i"  ^^'''  "^'>  ^•'".  ^<'<'.  4(i2 

4^5,  4(i7,  469,  470,  473   474   475* 

4/6,  477,  478,  480  481   483  • 

I  Wurgoyne,  II,  118,  173;        '      "• 

I  Jiiirke,  Mr..  1.50,115, 

Burke,  II,  258. 

Burlington  Bay,  11,498. 

Burlington  Heights,  II   365. 

l>iirnct.Oov.,l,  3tj3. 

Burn..t's  Field,  I,  7,  363 

Burnit,  Lt.,  II,  3. 

'""4^:456.^7^4^"''  ''«'  ^^^' 

Su[::2ont5!i.''^''^«'^^7- 

Butler,  Col.  John    I,  34    .50    (54    fi« 

118,186.210  230  23.r2,38'''45' 
241,242,250  2,53  255' 256  iS' 
291,  293,  306  329   331,  33  /  33i' 

3l?S^^^''^^i'^*^'^'^^^.'-^'': 

462,' IS'^®'-^®''^^^'-^'^^' 459, 
Butler,  Col.  j.,  n,  3  9  19   22  26   31 
34.  54,  67,  ,26,  13.5, 186,  V7  'iSl 
2//,286,30(l,302,  303.306  .-53.'- 

355,358,365,369,370,371,372, 


* 


*  tl 


^  r 


D 


606 


INDEX. 


m 


M 


Hi 


378,  381,   382,   383,    384,   3S6, 

390. 
Butler,  W.ilter  N.,  II,  3,  19,  54,  126, 

186,  191,  192,  193,  196,  214,  491. 
Ijutler,  Ofii.,  II,  266,  308,  309,  310, 

312 
BntltT,  Col.Wm.,  I,  3S5.  356,  367,  368. 
ButltT,  Col.  Zeliuloii,  I,  326,  327,  328, 

332  333,  334,  335,  338,  340,  341. 
Butler,  Col.  Zeliuloii,  11,36. 
Sutler,  Mrs  ,  I,  377,  384,  392. 
Butler's  Rauger.s,  I,  a92,  414. 
Butler'.s  RangHr.s,  II,  5,  54,  105,  120, 

122,  123,164,  168. 
Butler,  Pa.,  II,  556,557. 
Butterfield,  Major,  I,  153, 154, 155. 
Butternuts,  I,  366. 
Butterwoith.  Mr.,  II,  527. 
Buxton  family  massacreil,  I,  378. 
Cabot,  Sebastian,  11,487.  . 

Cadaragara,  II,  380. 
Oaldwell,  Lt.  Col.,  II,  4. 
Camden,  Lord,  I,  323. 
Camden,  Lord,  II,  238, 404. 
Camden,  Oen.,  II,  142. 
Campbell's  Gertrude  of  Wyoming,  II, 

525,  526,  527. 
Campbell,  John,  I,  382. 
Campbell,  Col.   Samuel,  I,   72,   168, 

189,  281,  282,  307,  371,  376,  382, 

395. 
Campbell,  Major,  II,  388,  389,  390. 
Campbell,  Mrs.,  I,  377,  378,  387,  388, 

389,390,391,392. 
Campbell,  Mrs.,  II.  55,  130. 
Campbell,  Capt.,  II,  386. 
Camjdiell,  Thomas,  II,  100,  250,  595. 
Campbell,  Wm.  W.,  facts  from,  I,xx, 

xxi,  xxiv. 
Ca..ipendown,  I,  218. 
Canada  expedition,  1,5,  112, 116,  162, 

163,  164,  16u,  300,  393. 
Canada,  invasion  from,  1, 198  to  264. 
Canada  Creek,  11.570. 
Canadasago,  II,  322,  362. 
Canaghsioraga,  II,  124. 
Canadiorha,  alia,s  Nickus  Brant,  I,  6. 
Canajoharie,  I,  3,4,  7,  11,  15,  25,  27, 

52,  112,  113,  pi,  291. 
Canajoharie,  II,  5,  a7,  38,  39,  95,  96, 

97,105,155,  156,411,548. 
Canandaigua  Lake,  I,  217. 
Canandaiguii,  II,  •   1,  416,  436,  453. 
Canaseraga,  I,  367,  408. 
Cune,  Barney,  II,  64,  65. 
Canestoga,  Indians  at,  I,  3^^, 
Caunassateego,  I,  99,  320      '36,  437, 

445,44,^ 
Cannibalism  charged,  I,  241,460. 
CauuoD,  Matthew,  II,  130. 


Cannon,  Mrs.,  I,  378,  391. 

Cantine,  Col.  J,)lin,  II,  170. 

Cape  Cod,  11,590,591. 

Carlton,  Sir  Guy,  I,  89,  109,  112,117, 

149,  151,  153,  157,  162,  163,165, 

173,  174,  195,  197,  199,  204,  243, 

308. 
Carlton,  SirGnv,  II,  8,  116,  128,  129, 

132,  211,  214,  233,  238,  250,  261, 

402,  577. 
Carleton,  Major,  II,  131,  132, 133, 135, 

150. 
Carleton  Islan<l,  II,  68, 145. 
Carlisle,  Karl  of,  I,  394. 
Carlisle,  Capt.  John,  II,  154. 
Carpenter,  John,  II,  220. 
Carr,  Lt.,  II,  506. 
Carr,  Punifer,  I,  313. 
Carroll,  Mr.,  in  Canada,  1, 162. 
Carry-one-about,  II,  348. 
Carey,  Lt.  Wm  ,  II,  573,  576. 
Caroga  Creek,  II,  119. 
Carter,  Sarah,  II,  563. 
Cartwright's,  I,  430. 
Carver,  Capt.,  11,480. 
Cass,  Peter,  II,  123. 
Cassissenny,  Indian  castle  of,  I,  209. 
Castleton,  I,  392. 
Castleton,  II,  197, 
Caswell,  Col.,  I,  119. 
Casweighter,  II,  527. 
Catamount  sign,  II.  181. 
Cataraphqui,  Krench  buy  furs  at,  I,  6, 
Cataraqui,  I,  438. 
Cataraqui,  II,  245. 
Catrtwbas,  1,  340. 
Catharinestown,  1,340. 
Catharinestown,  II,  21,  22,  23. 
Catlin,  Geo.,  portrait  of  Brant  by,  I, 

xxix. 
''afs  eyes,  II,  342,  345. 
Catskill.I.  356. 
Catskill,  II,  156,  173,  198. 
Cauhow,  I,  353. 
Caughnawaga,  I,   52,   106,  136,  142, 

410,  434,  447,  449.  456. 
Caughnawaga,  II,  73,  74,  77,  78,  108, 

114,119,125. 
Caughiiawagas,  1,  89,  90,  94,  96,  103, 

117.149,  158. 
Caughnawngas,  II,  103,  104,  105,368, 

'409,410,  411,412,413,  414,  69. 
Cauldwell,  Capt.,  II,  167,   168,  109, 

170. 
Cayuga  Lake,  I,  217. 
Cayuga  L>tke,  II,  36, 
Cayugas,  1, 12,  13,  14,42,  86, 182,  244, 

3ii4,  305,  307,  446. 
Cayugas,   II,  3,  23,  24,  25,  36,243, 

244,  2b9,  302, 412,  422,  423,  569. 


:.!  ruf  jjsa 


INDEX. 


Cayadufta,  II,  73,  75. 
Cayauglikinns,  11,  5(i(;. 
Cuzunovia  Liike,  1,  217 

^'"^"i'b''^"^''''    «t'.    ",   93,  130,   133, 
Ceiisii.-t  Indian,  meiitionei),  I  8C 
Clmmbeilai,,,   R,v.  Theopluius,"  mis- 

Kioiiary,  I,  25. 
Chainblee,"l,  IIH. 
Cliainl.lee,  H,  (i4,  81,  90,  01. 
Cijaniphiiii  Lake,  Cortiesses  on,  1, 163, 

Oiandler,  Gen  ,  11,516. 
Chapiii,  Gen,  l.sraei.  11,320.325  32fi 
^27,;|2.,35|,,3„2,'3,i3   3H3     ; 

Cliapin,  Maj,  Cyienu.s,  IL517. 
Cliapuian,  Capt.,  H,  135. 
Chard,  .losepli,  II,  2i2. 
Cliarle.¥ton  expedition,  1, 166, 170 

m"'  "'  ^^'  "■  ^^'  ^^^'  201. 

ClmrlotteRiver,  1,178,312.  356 
CImrlotteRiver,  II,  56. 
Ci.ase,  Knsign,  1,234.' 
Chase,  Jlr.,  in  Canada,  I,  162 
ChaHjam,  liail  of,  favors  Colonies,  I, 

Chatliam,  II,  600, 
Cliemiin,i{,  1,  3!)2, 

Chennessio,  fort  building  at.  I  6 
Clierokees,  1,  2!)5  o     >    >    • 

''I55i;.^';^'2«^'231.339. 

Cherry  Vu^lley,  1,  52,  53,  106.  167, 168 

1«  ,183,190,  ]9l,  307,  311,' 312 
^13,  336,  341,  371,  373,  374,  375* 

3/6,  381.  382,  383,  385;  387:391; 

ChesapeRke,I,  195,  197,  284.  346. 
Cl<e.ster,  I,  285. 

Chew,  Josepii,  II,  326,  327 

Chew,  VV.  0.,  II,  XXXV. 

Cliicka.sans,  I,  295. 

Chickasaus,  II   375,  383,  567. 

C  n  icotlie,  I,  42,  48,  349,  422 

Cliilicotlie,  II,  216 

CIiip,«.„-,ts   I,  56,  il,  3,  216,  243,  264. 

Cbippcwa,  II,  517,  534. 
Chittenden,  Gov.  Tho..  II    mq    isd 
202,  204,  20(5,  207.'      '  ^^'  ^^^' 


607 


Chittenden,  Timothy,  II,  199. 
Choctaws,  I,  296. 

Chootaw.s  11,  375,377,  567. 
Church,  John  B,  II,  176. 
Church,  Mrs.  Philip,  II,  176. 
CiiurdH^^s  built  by  Sir  VVm.  ,'ohnson, 

Chrystie,  Lt  Col.,  II,  504,  .506. 
Chrystie,  Col.,  II,  512,  513. 
Cliri.stie,Robert,  If,  510,  512. 
Clappnni,  II,  394. 
Clarke,  Col.,  U,  4.-;  4(5  43  7,   -nn 
Cark,Ge„.,Ii;2]6,2!;9    •^^■^^^• 
Clarke,^Col.  Geo.liogers,I,352,  398, 

Clarkson,  Gen.  Matthew,  I  267 
Caverack,  II,  11.5,  Hg,'  '  "'■ 
tlaus.  Col.  Daniel,  I,  27    ,33   94    fio 

c!an''w'''-^{v^^.^'^"2,406.407,468. 
Cans,  VVm.,  11,461,465. 
Claus,  Mrs.,  11,451. 
Clayes,  Capt.,  II,  22. 
Clayton,  Col.  Asher  I  327 
Clear  sky,  II,  3,'-,9,  371'.       ' 
Clement,  Jacobu.s.I,  6 
Clement,  Lewifs,  I,  no!  114 

Cemnnt,  Ralph,  11,277.      ' 
Cleveland,  11,  lOO. 

Cluuoncimrles  A.,  papers  in  possess, 
ion  ot,  I.  xxn. 

Clinton,  Ue  Witt,  II,  ,585 

^'''■?oi;^o;;::«;:'''-K«.i.278,28o,28i, 

302,  303,  0O4,  3(16,  307,  382  421 
Chnton,  Gov.  Geor-e,  n    2    17    si 
^'>,9ii,  115,   120      23    145'']!«' 
4^  150,  153,  1,'5'4,  167,  iti'  \tt' 

Chnton,  sir  Henry,  I.  79    l(i9    I7n 

171,264,280,^281   282.344  34?' 
J47.  358.  359,  3Uo,  070!  3S;  395; 

Clinton,  Sir  Henry,  II,  53,  54  98  qq 
Cli„tonV'/''''^^^''"'-'«'^8 

'"3.Xi;^r35U^;'^''iS' 

3S4.38ti,^394,401,403;404:^' 
Clinton,  Ghu.  James,  II,  5,  6,  7,  10. 

li'  il.'   \^l.  ^f:iJ'''    18.    23     24 
32,  l,i5,  143,  146,  147,  148   149 

^,     .150,  151,  l.-,4,  15,5,' 160  461  • 

Clozier,  James,  II,  562. 

Clyde,  Samuel,  I,  72,  138, 182,371. 


'*: 


it  \ 


608 


INDEX. 


•! 


CI  vde,  Col ,  II,  9(5, 122, 54S,  649. 

Clyde,  Mrs,  I,  375. 

Colilfskill,  I,  313,  353,411,412. 

CoblHskill.lI,  15, 

Corblti.v,  Joliii,  letter  of,  II,  5G4,  5G5. 

Couliriiii,   Major  James,  I,    "66,  367, 
37(',  4(15.  407. 

Co<'liiai)e,  Miijur  James,  II,  327,  330, 
4i)2. 

Cocliraii,Lt.Col.,  II,  148,  14n. 

(/ochiai),  jMra.  JiiiDfs,  I,  ^Vl,  291. 

Cocliraii,  Mrs.,  II.  177. 

Coi-liniii,  Maj  Robert,  1,  357,  358. 

Cockrel,  Richard,  11.5(11. 

Cue's sliUion,  II.  564. 

■^v.mii,Col.,lI,514,  515. 

C(.lluirn,CMl.,I,26!). 

Golden,  Dr.  on  Mohawks,  I,  xvin. 

Collier,  Sir  Geoige,  11,52. 

Collis,  Lieut.,11,  22. 

Coll.ver,  Mr.,I,3*J3. 

"  Col.  Louis,"  (see  Ataaiataronglita). 

Colonies,  driven  to   rebellion,  I,  49, 
50. 

Cominis-^ioiis  issued  to  Indians,  I,  401. 

Coinniittees  iiiTr^on  co.,  I,  52. 

Couiiianionships  among  Indians,  I,  28 ; 
among  the  Greeks,  I,  28 

Conoord,  collision  at,  I,  87,  51. 

Condolence,  .speech  of,  II,  441. 

Congress,  1,35,36,51,91,92,93,111, 
143,  145,  156,  158,  159,  246,  263, 
292. 
Conneciicut,  1,37, 115,322. 
Connecticut  Reserve,  11,396. 
Connell,  declaration  of,  1, 120,  142. 
,  Connally,  Lieut.  Col.,  II,  292. 
Conel'y,  Col.,  II,  151. 
Connequeuessing  Creek,  II,  550,  559. 
ComiissiusLake,  II,  28. 
Connovs,  il,3,  4,  348,  355. 
Ctainowango,  II,  24,  41. 
Cinlinental  Village,  II,  19<' 
Conway,  Gen.,  I,  115,  301,  o03. 
Conj-at,  II,  304. 
Conyne,  Lieut  ,  I,  234. 
Cooke,  Mrs.,  11,427. 
Cook,  Col.  Lewis,  I,  401. 
Cook,  Lewis,  (see  Atayataronglita),  11. 
Cook,  Sir  Francis,  1, 272. 
(hooper,  Gen.  John,  I,  7,  290. 
Copp,  Captain,  I,  40.i. 
Cork,  Jacob  R.,  1,  410. 
Corlies,  John,  II,  177. 
Cornyliuri,  1,  367. 

Cornphinter,  11,  34, 105, 126, 127, 128, 

243,  244,  245,  299,  3'i3,  306,  307. 

326,  ;:!34,  35tl,  :!r)5,  377,  411,  446. 

Cornstoek,  I,  12,  43,44,  40,  191,  192, 

193,  194. 


Cornwallis,  Gen.,  I,  172,  173,  175, 
287,  II,  99,  142,  193,  194,  195, 
202,20.3,209,214,541. 

Cortus,  Mr.,  II,  562. 

Cory,  11,212,  213. 

Cosby 's  manor  council  appointed  at,  I, 
72;  not  held,  I,  76. 

Coshocton,  11,207,  208. 

Cough,  Mr  ,1,309. 

Council  Fire,  transferred  to  Albany, 

I,  XXV. 

Council    Fire,  kept  at  Onondaga,  I, 

XXV. 

Council  Fire  extinguished,  I,  176. 

Cowboys,  1,  258. 

Cowley,  Mr.,  1,  410. 

Cowpens,  11,  142. 

Cox,  Col.  Elieiiezer,  I,   72,  109,  181, 

184,  233,234,236,242,461. 
Cox,  Mr.,  II,  70. 
Cox.~iackie,  II,  173. 
Craig,  Sir  James  H.,  II,  2C9. 
Crawfurd,  James,  alledged  letter  of,  I, 

427. 
Crawford,  Wm.,  II,    225,   226,  227, 

226. 
Crawford,  Col.,  II,  231,  232. 
(,'rawlord,  Lieut.,  1, 394. 
Creeks,  I,  296. 
Creeks,   II,  214,  339,  355,  362,  375, 

377. 
Cr-isap's  war,  I,  38,  39,  40,  46,  191, 

192,  446. 
Cresap's  war,  II,  217. 
Cricket  games,  II,  445,440,  447. 
Crini.Mr.,  1,363. 
Croiise,  Robert,  I,  242. 
Crown  Point,  I,  15,  78,  163,  164,  165, 

173,  174,  195,  199,  201,  384,392, 

Crown  Point,  II,  73,  81,  90,  132,  150, 

151,  152,155,178. 
Crozier,  Mary  Ann,  II,  563. 
Cuchehwaskiseegua,  1 1,  394. 
Currie,  John,  11,555. 
Currietown,  II,  157,  159. 
Cusick,  David,  quoted,  I,  147. 
Cuyier,  Col.,11,121. 
Dalhousie,  Earl,  11,532. 
Uanbury,  attacked,  I,  283. 
Danverp,  Sir  Robert,  meets  Johnson,  I, 

18. 
Darke.  Col.,   II,  308,  309,  310,  311, 

315. 
Dartmouth,  Earl  of,  founds  college,  I, 

22. 
Dartmouth  college,  1 1,  468,  470,  473. 
David,  Captain,  11,  276. 
Davis,  Ashbel,  II,  595. 
Davi.s,  Hamlet,  II,  531. 


D 
I) 
D 

1) 
Di 
Di 


INDEX 


David  Lawf.'iicrt,  IT,  531. 

pavi.s,  (jiipt.  Joliii,  1,  23U  ,242,  342 

Davis,  John,  II,  r)r»2. 

Davi.s,  Mr,  l,4.0i). 

Davis,  Col.  Vaif  mine,  II,  1G<) 

^^'^;'i  ^"l-.!  ^>  ^■^^.   -I^S.   d";8,  109, 
Dayton,  Col.,  II,  2,3,37. 
D'A.Ujvy,  M.,  at  sieg..,  of  Niagara,  T, 

IVaii,Ju,„...s,  I,  I  !1. 142,  370,407. 
p.-am.,.Mr.,ll,7,  10,  104. 
D'aiie,  Silas,  1,  '.'.lis. 
D-ailmrn,  Lt.  Coi.,  II,  Si!. 
Dearborn,  Col.,  I,  27J,  1!72. 
D.'ol<c'i',  Maj.  l)pi,s_i_42i. 

,>r,,^:" ""''''■"•  "'^^-''iiiKiit  against,  I,  C. 
D  Kstan.g,  Count,  1,  340. 
i^HManig,  Count,  11,03,34. 
DeGiaUf,ju,lgH,  II,  74. 
De  Gi, si.se.  Count,  II,  105. 
De  Haven,  Major,  11,  517. 

Deitz,  William,  1,287,31.'-,,  316. 
DeiU,  Peter,  I,  2b7. 

D>-itz,Ca},t.,ll,  178. 

De  Kdlb,  JiiiroM,  I,  301. 

De  Kalb,  Jluwii,  II,  100. 

DeJagie,   Natalie,   1,  40.  42     95     IIR 

Delawaiv.s,  1,  3iy,  320,  321,  323,  324 

329,347,  348,  34.;  11, '3,  43,  46' 
4/,  49,  (J,;,  6ii,  lUS,  208,217,  220* 

3  2^7,  243,  265,' 2G<i:  278  291; 
^  t5.  34b,  34s,  349,  350,  355   358 

f'-'^'-:^«.l.S72,  373,  377  380 
422,  5o5,  SOU,  507. 
Donmston,  Col.,  1,  333,  334,  335,  341, 

Denniston,  EInsign,  I,  234. 
Dennistoii,  Natiian,  1,  3'!8' 
pePeister,Col.,  11,249. 
DePui.sy,  Count,  11,328    403 
Derby,  Karl  of,  1,  270. 

De'SMlV''^'^"'"^''^'^"'^^^- 

^'''tl^\t'^'  2^   102.   103,  304, 
339,  648,  349,  350,  352,  392  393 

399,400  434,  450,' II,  ll,  45,  40,' 
vi',l^l.^?M',^^2I8,  219,  '241 

'.in'  o-^'  <::^'''  ^*'^*'  2'i5,  207,  208 
V  ,  '  ^,lf'  V^'  2'«.  284,  285  291 
.^W,  294,  302,  347,  352,  358  301 
3^'^!>,3S1,352,391,423,474;502; 

Devil'.-  l>oiii(,  II  02 
D«VVaf,  Ci,,,.,  i_;jr,7 

p''Wut,C|„,ri..sII.,  1I,CC,GS. 
DeWitt,  Levi,  11,04. 

DfZ)nliiglik()r,  11,428. 

Dici<.CHpt.,  |,.S27.  I 


609 


78 


DiokHon,  Wm.ir,xxxv. 

M.K.n.|,,rf,  l'n„|erie|(,  II  1,50. 
Da.  en,  ore,  Capi,  Henry,  I,  242. 

i« '•'... .rl,  Mont.,  1,234. 

I'-l.-ndorf,  .la(.ob,  li,  ir,,, 

Dill^ib'aek,  ■ 'caj.t.   Andrew,    I,    240, 

Di"Kl".V,  Dr„  II,.ir,;),  582. 
"loMiinilailii'H,  I.  2H8 

Disal_li3,:,i„n,,,  V    ,.,,.i,,c,i73,2n, 
-J;,  II,  1  17,  l:s,  J39.  ' 

DobliHlerry,  H,  205, 
D(.(li<e,Joiin,I,,4(i(), 

n*'<in.lg,.'Hl,|,iory,,noied,  1,40  44 
Dog,  lidulity  or,  (^  220 
p')S'sacrl/lee,  I,  3,S9,  .390. 

"'■'•■,'>"«'"'•  "'^iKl.lM,  ooeupied,  r  161 
DorehH.tm-,   Lord,  of.  I.  90    II    ]sf) 
23(i.  Ii50,  270   2T2,  27    '2S2  2k0 

^      '^''7,308,300.309  402  403  404 
Doonyontal,  J|,4;j        •  ^' ^i  ^'^-J.  4"4, 

DouglasH.Mr  ,11,174. 

Dougherty,  Cupt,,],  422 

''"^'j' Sf  j';;^'^'""'^*' o'lndiau  affairs, 

°"'4ir2r4i;/ '' ''' ''' ''''  ^=^^. 

Doxs(a(hr,  11,70. 

Do^.siader,  John,  n,  157^  jgg^  jg^,^ 

Drakes  H..Htory  <,„„(e,i,  j  43  44  ^gg 

^o'Slir'  '•  '"'•  ''''  ''''  ^' 

puaiio,.iuuiuH,  11,242. 
Diniiiesburg,  1,314 

DSnSu;^''^'"'^-''^22,123. 

pi.er',VV.n.,i,I;i7  2C3. 
Duguorl«,  11,421. 
I  Duintate,  i|,  334. 

Dun,;an,Capt.,I,4]8,  421. 
piincun,Cupt.,lI.jj.l   liy 
Duncan,  Major,  1,21m. 
puneaii,liiehar(l,  II,  U)Q 
Dundas,  Major,  l|,]oo. 
pi"iiam,Capt,.ioNiah,  11.477  47a 
Duulap.HH,.t,  A„au.|c;„'!^tage quoted. 

punlop,  Bamwel,  |,  ](\g  374 
Duniriore,  ,'.,    l,  1    41  '  4r,  "47    ,,„ 
,,     l'!.,']01,li;4'34,';      '^7,  "^« 

Dunnnig,  Lt.  Uenj  ,  l   421 

Dunop,  Count,  1,287. 
Diiple.sNis,  Mr,,  1,  2H7, 
puquesno,  Capt,,  I,  2.M. 
Dnrbin.Col  ,  ||,25 


»l 


2) 


610 


INDEX. 


Durkee,Col..I,335j338. 
Diirlogh.U,  157. 

Diiich  treatment  of  Indians,  II,  241, 
Dwiglit,  Prcs.,  statement  by,  I,22U. 

Dwi^ht,  I'res,  II,  192,491. 

D>er,  Eliphalet,  I,2ti6. 

DvgHit,Jolin,I,242. 

Dygeit,  William,  I,  266. 

D>-Kert,II,330, 

East  Uiiven  burnt,  II,  52. 

Eiisterii  nnws,  II,  542. 

Easton,  Pa.,  council  held  at,  1, 10. 

Eii.ston,  II  37. 

Easton,  Col.,  II,  116. 

Etker,  Geo.,  jr.,  on  committee,  I,  72. 

Edrly,  Thomas,  11,480.' 

E(lHn,\Vm.,I,394. 

Edgar,  Jdiin,  II,  197, 198,  204. 

Eidick,  Ciiristian,  II,  70. 

Kdnieston  settlement,  I,  364,  3GG. 

Edwards,  Dr..  on  Moliegans,  I,  56. 

Edwards,  Mr.,  II,  580. 

Edward,  Prince,  II,  299. 

E^oncliouoy,  II,  376. 

Ejglits,  Jonathan,  II,  411. 

Eisenlord,Ct>l.,  1,181. 

Eisenlord,  Maj.  John,  I,  242. 

Eler.soi),  David,  I,  356. 

Elenson,  David,  II,  14, 15, 

Elhohn.Capt  ,11,  52. 

Elizai'fthtown,II,  lOO, 

Elklu>ni,II,  171. 

Ellinijisico,  1,42,  191,  192. 

Elliot,  a  loyalist,  I,  348,349. 

Elliott,  Capt.,  11,  208,  218,  347,  357, 
474. 

Elliot,  J.ihn,  II,  339,  ."146. 

Ellis,  Alexander,  II,  69. 

Elli.s,  11,94. 

Elmira,  11,19. 

Elmore,  Col.,  I,  175, 176,  222. 
Engravings,    historical    notice   of,  I, 
xxviii. 

Enlistments,  term  of,  I,  161 ;  of  Indi- 
ans, I,  159. 
Enos,  Gen.,  11,201,202. 
Epidemic  among  Indians,  1, 104. 
Erik,  II,  487,  590. 
Eiiopuu,  I,  182,  282. 
Esopu.i,  II,  68 
Etlierington,  Capt.,  meets  Johnson,  I, 

18. 
Eii.senia,  wife  of  Mikus  Hance,  1, 17. 
Exeter,  I,  S28,  332. 
Faircliild,  Benj.,  II,  573. 
Fairlield,  I,  283. 
Fall  Hill,  1,292,366. 
Fiill.sofOhio,  II,  216. 
Falls  ot  St.  Anthony,  II,  480. 
Falmouth  burned,  I,  116. 


Families  of  Indian  warriors  supplied, 
I,  16. 

Fantine  Kill,  1, 414. 

Farmers  Brother,  II,  359,  362,  415, 
423,  572. 

Fa.^sett,  John,  II,  199, 

Fay,  Joseph,  II,  197,  199,  201,  202. 

Fav,  brothers,  II,  197. 

Feeter,  Col.  Wm.,  II,  161,  167. 

Female  captives  never  dishonored,  I, 
xiv. 

Fenn,  Rev.  Mr.,  I,  413. 

Fenwick,  Lt  Col.,  II,  504,  506. 

Fergn.^'on,  II,  ICO. 

Festivals,  their  influence,  II,  444. 

Field,  Col.,  decides  a  battle  and  is  kill- 
ed, I,  43. 

Fink,  AndreviT,  on  committee,  1,72. 

Fish  Carvier,  II,  302. 

Fi.sh  Creek,  I,  216,  291,476,477. 

Fish,  Nicholas,  II,  143. 

Fisher,   Frederick,   on   committee,  I, 
73. 

Fishnr,  Col.,  I,  163. 
Fisheries  interrupted,  I,  49. 

Fithkill,  I,  395. 

Kitzherbert,  Mr.,  II,   214. 

Flatbush,  1, 170. 

Fleming,  Col.,  wounded,  1,42. 

Florida,  I,  394. 

Folsoni,  Nathaniel,  I,  266. 

Fonda,  Adam,  on  committee,  I,  73. 

Fonda,  Douw,  I,  26. 

Fonda,  Douw,  II,  77,  458,  546. 

Fonda,  Capt  ,  I,  6,  12,  [403. 

Fonda,  Miijor  Jell.s,  I,  177,  182,  230, 

Fonda,  Col.Jelles,  II,  75,  114. 

Fonda,  John,  arrested,  I,  106. 

Fonda's  bush,  I,  309. 

Fontainn,  Major,  II,  294. 

Foice,  Peter,   papers  in   bands  of,  I, 

xxiil,  123. 
Ford,  Lauren,  II,  164. 
Forsler,  Capt.,  1, 153, 154, 155. 
Forks  of  Unadilla,  I,  366, 
Fort  Ann,  I.  202. 
Fort  Anne,  11,  129, 131,  133,  151. 
Fort  IJrewerton,  I,  405. 
Fort  Bull,  I,  169. 

Fort  at  Chennessio,  (Genesee),  I,  6. 
Fort  at  Cheiry  Valley,  I,  189. 
Fort  Clinton,  I,  280,  281,  395. 
Fort  Constitution,  I.  282, 
Fort  Dayton,  I,  224,  233,  255, 256,  258. 

262,  364,  365 
Fort  Dayton,  II,  69,   143,  163,  164. 

166,   192. 
Fort  Deposite,  II,  385. 
Fort  Edward,  I,  202,  203,   204,  205i 
213,  267,  273,  478,  479. 


iii 


INDEX, 


Fort  Erl ward,  II,  144,  150,  409.  542 
5/0.  ' 

Fort  Krie,  I,  33,3 

Fnrt  Forty,  I,'332,*333. 

J-'ort  I''r.'elaiu),  J,  439. 

Fort  ffyoigH^l,  iu3,  ik,  231,  266, 267, 
■^'C,  2/5.  ' 

PortG>org^,   ir,   ]2ll,  13],  132    134 
-i'^i,  50.x,  rm,  516,  517.      ' 

tort  Greonvill,-,  If,  321,  3S3. 
i'<)rf,  Grisivold,  II,  195 
Fort  Harrnpr,  II, '279,' 280,  281.  332 
338.  349,  353,  392.  ' 

Fort  Hardy,  I,  447. 
Fort  Ileniiiick,  il,  570. 
Fort  ijeiiry,  I,  257. 
Fort  Herkimer,  I,  364,  365.  366 
I'ort  H.Mkimer.II,  60,  123,  149,  233 
lort    h„u,T,  I,  26,  2/,  52,  309,  450 

]87"4[,l"'  ^^^'   ^^^'  ^^^'  ^^'^■ 
Fort  .Teflergon,  II,  308,  311,  339. 
Fort  KHvsHr,  II,  ll.^. 
Fort  Laurens,  I,  351,396,  397,399 
Fort  Le'),  I.  172 
Foit  Mcintosh,  II,  62,  232,  349,  353, 

Fort  Miami,  If,  392,  395. 

''395'"*''°'"'""^''   ^'  ^^°'  ^^^'  ^^2' 
Fort  Moultrie,  II,  53. 
Fort  Newport,  I,   Kig. 

FortNiagara,  II,  64,572 
Fort  Paris.  II,  n.r, 

Fort  Pitt,  1,  25,351,413. 

2J2"'  "•  ^^'  ^^'  ^^'  221.  266, 

^''"54?"'  "'  ^^'  ^^°'  "^'  ^*^*^'  ^39, 

Fort  Plank,  I,  409. 

Fort  Plank,  II,  95,  127,539 

Fort  Recovery,  II,  381,  383, 

iSlJf  ■■'  "•  ^''^'  ^^'^''  ^"'  ^59. 
Ft.  St.  Clair,  11,336. 
Forts  at  Schoharie,  I,  307 
Fon  Schuyler,  I,  ](J8,  l(i(i,  j-ja    lyg 

179,  210,211,21;,  216    217  2' 2 

^t<^,  .y,27/,2!il,307,  330  357 
t^^"-i^'i^!.'!i'3«''^«2;366  370; 
^Vl,  3/2,  0/3,  383,  392  400  402 

403.404,405,406:407:409,41?; 
Port  Schuyler,  11,  5,  6,  7.  12  37    3« 

Fort  Btauwix,  I,  sxviii,  7, 12,  13,  14, 


611 


7S,  83,  221,  222.  223,  228,  262 

26,},  327,  43,3,  434,  4.55,  461*.  4J,3' 

For  Stanwix,  II,  15li,  243     244     -M--, 

246,  248,  2o4,  263,  265,  289,  21)l>' 

^J/;|JP^1'.350,371,4U;460: 

Fort  Vmi'i  Dy<'k,  I,  403. 

Fort    Washington    captured,    I,    172, 

Fort  VVashington,    II,   294,  303,  308 

oil,   O'tli.  ' 

Fort  Watkin,son,  II,  142 

Fort  Win.  Henry  he.sieged,  I,  5. 

I'oit  XVmtermoot,  I,  332    333 

Fort  Wyoming,  I,  3:'6,  327,  335,  341 

•orty  Mile  Creek,  11,516 

•owler,Theo,losins,diaryof.  I,  xxiii. 
l'owler,Cn.t.Theodosius,  II,  21,26; 

Fox,  Capt.  Cliristopher,  I,  72,  242. 
box,  Frederick,  on  couimitlee',  I.  73 
tox  Creek,  I,  355.  .  ^.  '•>• 

Fox's  Fort,  II,  119,  122 
tox,  Charles,  II,  251,  258,  426,  598. 
'"'394'*      ""^  with,  I,  298,  299,  343, 

^"9?S;i3?^^3r^r'''"-'^'^^. 

Frank,  Judge,  I,  367,  370. 
Frank,  John,  I,  363,  370. 
frank,  John,  II,  70. 

*'''"298%h'42V'''''^'''^^'^^'"2' 
Franklin,  Benj.,''li,  214. 
Framinghani,  11,492. 
Fratricide  at  Wyoming,  I  337 
Frazer,  Gen.,   I,  163,   268    271     279 
^      274,472,478,480,482.       '  ^^' 

Frrncl;  SeT/ltT^* ''"•'"•  ^^^• 
^'""iS/'"'  P'-'^sems  to  Indians,  II, 

French,  Capt.,  II,  52. 

Hfnch  h<  ...liities  with,  I,  six. 

^  <ench  hatred  to  Six  JNfatious,  f .  .';    6 

Freeman,  II,  331.  ' 

Frey,  Uarent,  I.  354 

Frey,  Maj.  Ilendrick,  II,  411.  492 
Frey,  Philip  R.,  I,  3;:9.  ' 

f/fy,  Capt.  Pliiiip,  II  492 
J/ey,  Samuel  C.,  I,  338. 
Friedenshiitten,  II,  217. 
Frink,  John,  on  committee  I  73 
I'/iiik,  Adj,  Nathaniel.  I,  4''r      " 

FrontenacCount,  1,217,  ;  40;  406. 
FrothiMgham,  Lieut.,  II.  294 
Fry,  Col.,  II,  29.  ' 


^i 


^!l 


# 


612 


l.\'DEX. 


*'», 


:i 


■":i 


Fiilmer,  John,  11,  212. 

Fuueral  of  Gen.  Fiaztr,  I,  274. 

Gnge,  0.;n.,  I,9i),  117,  4J3,  435. 

Gage,  Gov.,  lielt  from,  I,  9'J. 

Gahonto,  i,  319. 

rJameleis,  Antoine,  11,  292,  293. 

Gun^sevuort,  Gen.  P«tHr,  I,  l(i3,  104, 
217,  223,  224,  ^26,  227,  229,  233, 
234,  249,  250,  2.51,  2.52,  253,  2.55, 
257,  258,  262,  '2(i3,  30«,  345,  354, 
355,  357.  3r>8,  3(;i',  3G1,  307,371, 
404,  410.  .1.^4,  4(!0,  461,  'lfi3,  II, 
4  .5,37,  3h.  :..;),  4-1,  95,  121,  131, 
133,  134,  li:7,  Uy^,  173,177,  178, 
171!,  383, 1>!7,  Vn,-i!>3,  2i;),206i 
207,  -jHO,  5vil)  .54.'v, 

O.mKOii,  Capt.  Coi'iv.  T,,  U,  :)4!J. 

Gaol,  quL^^tion   of  ju:  .Jiotioii   of,  I, 

•   ijo,  in. 

Garai'gtiii,  I,  411. 

Gardoiii.-r,  C&ijt.  Jacob,  I,  238,  239, 
242. 

Ganlenier,  Lt.  Samuivl,  I,  242. 

GaH'iiier,  William,  f,  238,  339. 

Gardt'iH-'i-,  Capt.,  11,  189. 

Gatt!.s,  Ot'u  Horatio,  1,  103,  l(i4,  173, 
174,  2f.';^  205,  223,  227,  2.->7,  2()2, 
264,265,  267,  268,  269,  270,  271, 
272,  273.  274,  275,  276,  277,  278, 
279,  30tf,  301,  302,  303,  309,  343, 
34ii,  392,  466,  474,  476,478,479, 
480. 

Gate.s,  Gen.,  II,  4,  99,  100,  118,  142. 

Gathtsegwaroliore,  II,  32. 

Gauntlet,  II,  61,  62. 

Geake,  Samuel,  1,  358,  359,  362. 

Gei.smar,  Capt.,  I,  469. 

Genesee,  II,  27,  29,  32,  35,  61,  63,  65, 
66,238,319,  325. 

Genet,  Citizen,  11,  366. 

Gentleman.  Indian  notion  of  a,  1,23. 

GeorKia,  1,394. 

Geoiu'ii,  II,  52,  214. 

(ierard,  Mr,  I,  394. 

Geriiinine,  Lord  Gaorge,  I,  229,  425. 

(Te'-maine,  Lord  George,  II,  106,  124, 
12.5,  136. 

Germans,  whigs,  I,  106. 

German  Flatts,  I,  xviii,  7,  8,  72,  80, 
85,  95,  98,  104,  106,  139,  140, 
168,  180,  184,  187,  233,  255,  257, 
262,  294,  305,  312,  361,  362,  363, 
364,  365,  366,  367,  369  "70,  430, 
432,  435. 

German   Flatts,  II,  69,  7(i  ,  143, 

149,  106,  160,  163,  1S9,  J.;j,  331, 
454. 

German  Flatts  dis'rict,  I,  52. 

German.'. wn,  I,  197,  285,286.     [427. 

Gerrish,   Capt..   alleged   letter  to,  1, 


Gerry,  KIbridgf ,  I,  26^;. 
Gerry  Klbridge,  11,18" 
Gertrude  of  V/'yoming,  I,  31 

379. 
Gertrude  of  Wyoming,  II,  5?,fj,  o^{>, 

627,  59*j. 
Gf'tiuan,  Frederick.  II,  70, 166. 
Gibson,  Capt..  II,  381,383. 
Gibson,  Col.  John,  I,  45,  46.  4V,  396. 

;';)7,  398. 
Gibson,  Col.,  II,  220. 
Gil'son,  James,  II,  528,  ,529,  531. 
Gihiiore,  an  Indian,  .1, 102. 
Girurd,  Mr.,  I,  299. 
Oirty,  Simon,  I,  348,  349. 
Girty,  Simon,  il,  208,  218,  219,  227, 

310,  357. 
Glen,  Henrv,  I,  133,  137. 
Glickhiekan,  11,  217,  218.  219,224. 
Gloucester  Heights,  exploit  of,  1,  162. 
Gnodenbaltters,    II,    217,   2!y,    220, 

221,  222,  227,  231. 
Gonesseronton,  II,  575. 
Good,  Peter,  I,  407,  408. 
Goodrich,  William,  speech  sent  by,  I, 

Gorab,  Quedars,  I,  452. 

Gora  nations,  II,  335. 

Gordon,  Brig,  Gen.,  I,  157. 

(Jordon,  statement  by,  I,  261. 

Gordon,  Col.,  II,  297,  298,  299,  300, 
303,  304,  322,  324,  326,  4t)3. 

Gordon,  Gen.,  II,  177. 

Gore,  Sir  Francis,  II,  424. 

Goscboclikinfj,  I,  349. 

Goshen,  I,  415,  417,  418,  420. 

Gospels  printed,  II,  288. 

Gospels  translated,  II,  431. 

Gotheseunqnen,  II,  26. 

Gowsowainse,  II,  394. 

Grabou.ski.  Count,  I,  281. 

Graft,  Philip,  II,  107,  108,  109, 192. 

Grafton,  Duke  of,  II,  115. 

Graham,  Capt.,  I,  403,  405,  406. 

Granby,  II,  142. 

Grand  Glaize,  II,  389. 

Grand  Miami,  II,  367. 

Grand  Rapids,  council  at,  II,  573. 

Grand  River,  II,  239,  240,  247  2.32, 
287,  288,  294,  302,  322,  32-  I'^S, 
364,  365,  37:',  397,  399,  4*':  -.■:, 
411,415,417,418,419,41!.;  ... 
429,  437,  447,  49P  568,  i:.  '  j78, 
579. 

Grant,  Gen.,  I,  284. 

Grant,  Mrs.,  I,  4,  18,  2.    . 

Gra.sshot>per,  I,  366. 

Gras.by  lirook,  I,  415. 

(iraves,  Adinind,  II,  99. 

Graves,  Capt.,  I,  242,  461. 


INDEX. 


Grav..s.Mi.l,  froops  nt,  r,  170. 
xray,  (Jen.,  I,  1!M,  ^8.1,  ;U7 
♦^"i.v.Ciipt,,  II,  151, 
"iviit  Tiv.>,  I,  ;i7(), 
<''-•.: l,ouH.,,  Daul.I,  .timdi.ri.d,  I,  3(1, 

(iwH.i.Capt.,  1,472, 
t«iv»!ii,t;oi.  CliriHir.i.IiHr  T  o^7 
<iret..M.,(iH,i,I,  i7,,;h,V'    ' 
(irfeiie,(J,.ii.,  IJ,  142    lin   fiji    r-i.i 

<i^^'^'Ml|lll<l,II,4.S7,  fiOO 
«.e,-„^Mo,.,taia   !„,>.;,  If,   Jro,  183, 

Grcfiuillrt,  II,  3h4,  3fl/5 

<'rciivil|,.,  JiiiuiM.  I   in; 
(Jriiinis,  Mr,  I,  4ri',)'. 
(iri.s,<,m,  Piof,,I[,40fl,497 
(iioat,  Lieut.,  I, 'J42. 
Gro.i,  hVv.  DiiniHl,  if    I.';'; 
Oiot-s,  Ciip(,,li,  U,7,'      '  ' 
Groton,  11,  J<)4. 
(jiovoIiiikI,  11,  ;j2, 
OiiillDiii,  /,  2S4. 
Oiiill'oril,  |(,  142, 
''"'"■'"■■',C,  M.,il,fi4i. 
<iutln-ie,  Cnpt,,II,  f,fl2. 
t'Wiiis,  James,  II,  573, 
Guy  Park,  couiilII  at,  I.  71 
Guyangualita,  I,  3ui. 
Hair,  Lieut.,  I,  221. 
Hakluyt,  11,488. 

Haldiinand,  Gen.  Sir  Pr    t   fln    nnn 
103,]49.384,3!0;t;,V'4^;'3 

Half  Town,  II,  245 

JJ"'.'-^^''^' Creek,  I,  310, 41(1. 
Hall,  Capt.,  I,  192. 

Hamilton,  Col.,  11*45 
Hamilton,  \Vn..O,',I,'45s 
Hamilton,  AlHxr.,  II  io7;,o,,   om 

Hammond,  Mr.,  11,  im,  3()l)        '      *" 
Hatntramck,  Major,  if,  3(10  31,    32c 
ar.au   tn..,p.sfn.mC.'unt,y     '107 
Hancock,  John,  1, 143,  loV.  '    '    ^• 

15 


613 


"'"•^SmT^^'-I.SS^.II..^,  18,].), 

Haiiovvr.  II,  47(^. 
Hansen  killed,  II,  73 

Hansjmie,  Ttnvah,.„g,.al,kon,  I,  367. 
liailM.son,  Mas.s.v,  captivity  of,  II,  295, 

Hardenlmrgl,,  Lt.,  I,  410. 

I  „!"'':'"';','«'''  ■'"'"'  «■,  H,  1C8,  169. 
Hardin,  Col.,  II,  294,  331. 

are,  Capt,,  I,  243. 
Hare,  II,  6,  78. 
Harlaiid,  Major,  II,  21(1 
arlem  Heights,  I,  I7l.' 

'"3" 2  *^S3  '  "'  ^"^'  ^^^'  299.  307, 

Harnage;  Major,  I,  470.  473,  476 

liarper,    Capt.   Alexander,  I,  f-,6    57 

„      -^"S.  59,  60,  63,  64,  6/   493    '       ' 
Harper   ColJohn,  II,  177,  173,  179 

lfel.2  4,  354,  3r.5;  William,  II 
i78;  Joseph,  1,178;  Alexander 
^1,  i/8.  ' 

|rarper,Col  John,  II,26,81,120,5.'2. 
arper,s(,eld,I,52,i78,179,312,41J. 
Harper-stield,  II,  55,  .-ia. 
Harris  captured,  I,  3(i9 
HarrLs,  Mr,  11,  i.-io. 
larrod,  Col.,  I,  423. 
Harrodsburgh,  II,  50,  171. 
Hartman,  II,  331. 
Hartford,  I,  330. 
Hartley,  Col.,  I,  341.  3.54,  385. 
Hartshorn,  Gen.,  11,339. 

ulZI!^  ^f  "S"'  '■°'«'  ".  287,  549. 
^  '  "f '  M^^quis  of,  II,  250,  598. 
Hatchet  buried,  I    14 

Hathorn,  Col.,  I,  416,'417. 
Hatton,  Lt.  Chas.,  II,  546 
HauRhton,  Major,  II,  129,  135. 
HawlHy,  Joseph,  I,  93,  98,  43(1. 
H«y.  CoL  A.  Hawkes,  I,  174. 
"""  j'  Y7^'-  Jacob,  brings  in   scalps-, 

"'"*4^«^0;.  "' 178,  196,  197,203, 

Hebron.'ll,  436.  480. 

Hecke^welder,    I,  xviii,  47,  56,  118. 

Heokewelder,    II,   62,208,217,    225, 

^>^1.  331,357,358,439, 
Hegu,  Gen.,  U,  541. 
J  elmer,  Adam,  I,  233. 
Helluliind,  II,  590,  591. 
HHJnier,  Capt.  Fred'k,  I,  73,  242 
He  mer,  John,  I,  364,  393,  394. 
elmer,  Philip,  n,  I6O,  ItJl. 

323''''  ^''"^'  ^>  ^7'   ^^>  ^7»  147, 


k 


h       i 


614 


INDEX. 


k 


::3 


nendrick,  IT,  331,  fiP.l. 

lleiuirirk,  Sntli,  ]I,  112,  113,  321. 

Ht'iiriqu"s,  a  Mohawk,  1,  221. 

Henry,  Thomiis,  I,  72. 

Henry,  Jolin,  II,  269. 

Henry,  Major,  II,  ijtj. 

Uerkinier,  George,  on  Committee,  I, 

73. 
Herkiirer,  Oen.  Nicholds,  I,  sxii,  72, 
74,85,88,    108,    110,    114,    13(i, 
142,  175,  177,  181,  182,  1^3,  186, 
188,213.214,215,217,233,234, 
235,  236,  240,  241,  244,  246,  247, 
248,  250,  297,  461. 
Herkimer,  Gen.,  II,  331,  431. 
Herkimer  villflge,  I,  364. 
Herrick,  Col.,  I,  31)2. 
Herring,  En.sign  Beuj.,  II,  546. 
Hes.-i,  Augii.stus,  on  Committee,  I,  73. 
lleiisu   Cassel,  troups   from,  levvinc 

I,  167.  170,22'J. 
Hessians,  I,  277. 
Henett,  dipt.,  I,  332,  335. 
Highlanders,  I,  54. 
HighUnders,  II,  186. 
Hill,  Capt.  Aaron,  11,  245,   246,   247, 

569. 
Hill,  Thomas,  I,  338. 
Hillbaracks,  II,  102,  543. 
Historians   partial  to  their  own  race, 

I,  xiii. 
History   proposed  by  Rev.   S.   Miller. 
ir,441.  ' 

Hite,  Capt.  John,  I,  353. 
Hoft'niau,  Charles,  II,  2. 
Holder,  Capt.,  II,  216. 
Holmes,  Rev.  Klkauah,  II,  439,  440, 
441.  I       .        .        . 

Honuoye,  II,  27,  28,  29. 

Hoiieoye  Creek,  II,  28. 

Honest  John,  I,  323. 

Honyerry,  I,  367. 

Honyerry,  II,  30,  31. 

Hopkii,.s,  Major,  II,  64,  65. 

Iloosick,  II,  206,  456. 

Ho.-tages,  I,  194. 

Hothani,  Commodore,  I,  171,  280, 
282,  395.  .... 

Hou.se,  Mr.,  I,  421. 

Hou.slon,  Gen.,  I,  336. 

Howe,  Hobert,  I,  394. 

Howe,  SirWilham,  I,  79,  157,  161,  169, 
no,  174,  195,  196,  197,  282,284, 
265,  2S6,  34ii,  :^47,  394,  395,  470. 

Howe,  Gen.,  II,  ]4i. 

Hoy's  Station,  II,  215. 

Hoyer,  Mr.,  I,  36.i. 

iludxm,   braiit  attends  a  lodge  at,  I, 

loo* 


HuRiiiPn,  Lt.,  II,  506. 
Hull,  Own.,  II,  502. 
Hunt,  Lt.  Col.,  I,  242. 
Hunter,  Gen.,  11,574. 
Hunter,  (fov.,  II,  435. 
Huroun,  I,  340. 

Huron.s,  II,  3, 43. 46,  47,  218,  219,  240, 
243,  265,  273,  276,  278,  290,  383, 
390,  497. 
Huron  Village,  II,  265,  266,  267,  280. 
Huntington,  Cul..  I,  283. 
Huntington,  I,  328. 
Iluttoii,  Adjutant,  I,  361. 
Hymn,  German,  II,  543. 
Illinois,  I,  353. 
Ilide|)endeuCL'  closed,  I,  166. 
Indians,  Census  of,  I,  86. 
Inimm,  Wm  ,11,  409. 
Iini.s,  Mr.,  II,  292. 
Irving,  Washington,  II,  601,  602. 
Isaai;,  II,  286. 

Isle  Au  N>.i.>c,  H,  85,  154,  197,  199. 
Ittig;,  Mifliael,  on  Committee,  I,  73. 
Jaitkaon,  (Jen.,  II,  163. 
Jackson,  'I'ho.  Fnd.,  II,  197. 
Jacobs,  Capt.,  II,  509,  512,  514. 
Jansen,  Johannes,  II,  65,06, 
Jaiisen,  Thomas,  II,  65,  66. 
Jitsper,  Sergeant,  I,  166. 
Jay,  John,  I,  211,212. 
Jay,  John  ,11,  207,  214,  241,  285,  287, 

292,  370,  395,  411,  459.  486. 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  1,  46,  298. 
Jefferson,  Tho.,  II,  331. 
Jemison,  Mary,  I,  187,  188,  243,  244, 

390. 
Jemison,  Mary,  II,  21,  27,  28,  30,  32, 
33,  105,106,  127,128,445,487. 
Jenkins  killed,  I,  332. 
Jenne.see,  1,  370. 
JerseyUeld,  II,  191. 
Jesuits  at  Oneida,  &o..  I,  7. 
Jessup,  Major,  II,  144,  145. 
JesHUps,  II,  148. 
Johnson,  Archibald,  I,  xxi,  16. 
Johnson,  Capt ,  I,  234. 
Johnson,  Guy.   I,   6,   152,  179,   186, 
209,  231',  297,432,  433,434,  435; 
succeeds  Sir  William,  33;    inter- 
rupts pole  raising,  5'^;    vigilant 
loyalist,  55j  tries  to  influence  On- 
eidns,  64;    is  watched  by  General 
Schuyler,  64;  writes  to  upper  Mo- 
hawk settlements,  65;  isd.iiounc- 
ed  by  whigs,  (i6;    threatens  the 
whius,  67;    Jetter  to  Aihaiiy  and 
Schenectady,  67;  reply  from  Alha- 
iiy,   69;    apprehends  abductinn, 
69 ;  holds  a  council  ut  Quy  Park 


INDEX. 


71  i  nddressed  by  Commltfpe   72  • 

■  isivply  74:  j,ro,,os,.,|,.onnfili,i 

Co.sby'g  Manornotlield,  7(!;  jjocs 

to  I.ortSlanwix,  7(J;   leavj.s  tli» 

.  ^''^cn'""**^'  S':  provisions 
ciuou,  82;  goes  to  OntBrio,  fe3i 
lephes  to  New  York  lotUT,  8;i  84' 
alarm  rorcvrning,  87,88;  l..,l,l.s 
counclat  Osw.go,  88;  ntGeri.mii 

ySMOdj  at  Osweco,  ]()().  1(12  lO'-i 
Johnson,  Guy,  I,  10,  W.IM    13(1 
Jol.nsoii,  Hon.   'rhonms,   I,  rui    rt^" 
Johnson,  Sir  Jol.n,   J,  192,  Ki"',  IcC' 

J'<',  186,  2(19,  2M.  220   '^'^O  "il 

242,2451253  2o5  2^Ca^:2«' 
2«2  288,  289,  291,  203  3(1!)  321 
^n..,  393,  422,424,42,0;  445  440 
4..4,  455,  4;.G,  457,  459,4(J4;  at- 
temjit  to  arrest,  xxiii ;  goes  to 
JJetioit,  16;  siininiont'd  at  deiith 
of  latlier,  32  ;  succeeds  to  his  es- 
tates, 33  ;  exiiedition  to  Oquana, 
iJ3;  marringH  of,  I,  33;  a  scnttlJ 
w^iih  Jacob  «amnioiis,  53  ;  fortilies 
thH  Haronml  Hall,  54;  suspected 
of  IreaHiery,  54;  l,«s  reason  to 
dread  Kirkland's  influence,  60- 
eflecis  his  removal,  61;  sustained 

I'y  loyalists,  88;  attaohnient  of  In- 
uians,  101;  inlluenre  of,  IdS;  ad- 
dressed by  committee,    ](iO;'    his 
reply,  JKl;    eusjiected,  108,  109 
i20, 123, 124  ;  meets  Gen.  Scluiy-' 
ier,  133;    termn  offered   to     ]3;{  ■ 
Indiiuis  supiwt;   135;    reply    to 
Gen.   SL'huyler,   136,  138;     Mrs 
notified  to  leave,  137;     iigre,-s  to 
certain  terms,  139,  141  ;    delivers 
arms,  141;   breaks  liis  treaty    143- 
attempts  to  capture,  143;  escapes 
to  Canada,  144;  his  sulferings  oa 
flight,  144;   lady  removed  to  Al- 
hany,  145;   raises  troojis,  145 
Johnson.  fSirJohn,  II,  10,  34,  38,  72  73 
/4,  75,  7(!,  78,  79,  .80,  81,  95,  97' 
'«    105.  106.  108.  109,  110.  'lu; 
S.    19,  120,  121,122,123,124 
rj5,  128,  129,  144,  151,  178    179 
185.186,  233.  248,  249,  252  254 
-67,  269,  272,  274    277   278  270 

2851296  298  ^'.■:;  ',3  ?;  3  9" 
400,403,405.  1.  ,  il4  432  433 
^,  441,474,4..I0,  ..,b,568;574.  • 
Johnson,  SirVilliam,  I,  xx,  147  148 
149,  218,  309,  322,'340  367  373 
387,  39,^47,  455,'461;'pape'r8  of-; 
XXI ;  by  some  thought  the  father  of 
iiraut,  1 ;  diary  of,  5, 6  ;  leads  li.-  | 


615 


dians,  I,  7;  beloved  by  Mohawks, 
I,  8  ;  urged  to  keep  away  from  On- 
<!,"d,,(ia,  9.  13;   holds  a  council  at 
t-aimjoharie,  11;  gave  jail  to  the 
cuiiity,  111  ;   speech  by,   IJ,  15; 
(I'  cidis  not  to  visit  Onondaifa,  13  ; 
iiieets  Midiawks   at  CanajuJiarie, 
l.>;  .louriiey  to  H..troit,  16;   battle 
of  Lake  (icorye,  19;  expedition  to 
Niagara,  20;  Imilds  Indian  chur- 
<hes,  20;    iiitercHt  in  school   for 
Indian  youths,  21;    powerful  in- 
fluence of,  30 ;     position  on  ap- 
jiroMch   of    revolution,    30,    3i; 
death  of,  31  ;  memory  cherished,' 
<2;    ereat  iiiflueiic(M)t',  87;  ^reat 
popularity  of,  101;  a  hostile  Iiidi- 
an,  114;    (Keporter),   373,    379; 
(Indian),  ]83. 

•Iohnsoii,SirVVilli,im,II,9,  10  09    80 

](i4,  186,  298,  335,  341,  350,'402! 

4.iO,  489,  519,  583. 
Johnson,  Lady,  I,  289,  290. 
Johnson's  Greens,  I,  230,  235,  237 

2.i8,  239,  240,  241,  243. 
Johii.soii's  {}ieens,  II,    73,    l]4     loj 

122,123,179,186.  '         ' 

Johnstone,  Gov.,  I,  394. 
Johnstone,  l{cv.  Mr.,  I,  180, 
Johnstone  yettlement,  I,  178,  ISO. 
John,stown,  I,  52,  88,  109,  120     l-'S 

l;^0,  141,145,  l(i8,  212,  288,291,' 

.^04,  305,  3ii(i,  307,  308,354,364 
387,  393,  404,  423.  ' 

Johnstown,  II,  69,  72,  73,  75,  79   81 
9<i,l05,  123,  163,'l64,  170,  185! 
187,192,331,541,542.  ' 

Jones,  Capt  Samuel,  I,  342,418.  421. 
Jones,  Mr.,  I,  205,  206. 
Judith,  murder  of,  II,  224. 
Kattsbergs,  II,  65. 
Kayiiiguaraghtoli,  I,  452. 
Kanaghquatsa,  I,  95,  444. 
Kanaghsaw.s,  II,  29. 
Kaimde.-engo,  I,  370,  387,  388. 
Kanasedaga,  II,  24,  26. 
Kanandaigua,  11,  27,  491. 
K'inhawa,  I,  40,  41,  J91,  192,  352. 
Karagluiiiadirhou,  Mr.  Deane,  I,  131 
Karakuuti,  II,  585. 
Karhauguash,  II,  26. 
Karrhageayate,  II,  576. 
Kai  tele,  Kergeaiit,  I,  359. 
Kara.iduaan,  "Great  Tree,"  Hancock's 

name,  I,  158. 
Kaskaskias,  I,  352,  353. 
Kaska.skias,  II,  560,  567. 
Kaweaiiontye,  II,  576. 
Kayinguaraghtoh,  I,  433. 


4  I. 


' 


t 


Iif  )■ 


616 


DEX. 


K.'Mrnoy,  U.,  II,  fiOO. 
Kcd.i'H  Kilt.  II,  ll.'i. 
Kell.'|i.Miiiii,  II,  47. 
K.'ii.ialH,  II,  •J.'i,  2(1. 
Kent,  Cliiiiin'llof,  1.  2n(!,  279. 
K.'niiirkv,  I   'J.t,  117.  :,r,i. 
KiMiiii.'kv,  11,411,7(1.71,  ICS),  171,  21."), 
:il7,"--!(JI,V!ll,iJi)a,  2^4,295,313, 

;•;)(!.  :)i>4,  ;)86. 

K"iT,  ](.,l,i.it,  II,  ;!20,  519,635,636. 

Kmr,  \\'iilti  r,  II,  5;!(i 

KoiT,  Will.  .li.liMKoii,  II,  ]^l  250,492, 

4!l.'.  51(i,  517,  5;)5,  .O.JG 
Kerr,  M'H.  Win.  .1  ,  diuiglittT  of  lirimt, 

1,  xmI,  XXX. 

K   (tl.  A,  pieHelllH  of,  I,  lb8. 

Ki.kii|.(mH.  II.  27H,  21)3. 

Killlnihh,  II,  47,  48. 

KiiiK,  liriiiit-s  I,  151.  l.'>2. 

KiiiHxlioniiiKli,  I,  52,  109.  t 

Kiiiu«l)iiri>ui<li,  I !,  79. 

Kjimnliii.li;,.,  I,  171, 

KiiiksIiiikI,  I,  5.',>«2,  139,140. 

Kind's  Mdiiiititlti,  II,  KM) 

KiiigKloii,  1,  21 1,  2(i3,  2>2,  328,414. 

Kiiitthldii,  II,  bl,  2><7,  434,  523,  534. 

KiiiiH-Hlcy,  1,1,,  1'    :i. 

Kirkliiiiil,  Kev.  R'r  .  I,  10,  23,  25, 
2(11,  435,  4..2,4.-.'\ 

KU'tlaiKl,  K'  V.  >^«iiniil,  att<'iiipt  to  re- 
itiove,  I,  55;  hiiHtiiiiied  hy  Oiici- 
dim,  55  ;  open.""  i  ■ne.'ijioiult'iice 
with  Miiliiiwl<N,  55;  IS  c(iin)'el|oil 
to  Icavii  Oni'liln,  01  ;  obluiiib  a 
ooiiiicil,  8(1;  Inlioi-.s  to  preserve 
iieiitralify.  Hi,  h7  ;  ■'  Tnalic  f-,  l^'l, 
1(10;  Mr.  HUHpt'clb.  'V  Johi.  ii, 
102. 

Kirkliiiid,  Iter.  Samuel,  11,  7,  9,  55, 
14K  24(i,  2tiH,  3U(i,  311),  320,  321, 
322,  490,  4!)3 

Ki~'uiiiiim>(ui*,  II,  555. 

Kittoriiiii«,  11,41,315. 
KjaliiriieH,  II,  590,  691. 

KlejiHiittlit,  MaJ.  KnoH,  1,  242. 

Klock,  Col.  .larol,,  1,  72,  161,  190, 
191,233,240,  242. 

Klock,  Jacoli,  11,  HiO. 

Klock,  Join  .liimeH,  I,  109. 

KliM.k'Mri-l(I,  11,  119,  124,  127. 

Knapp,  Lt.  Harniiel,  1,  418,  421. 

KiiawalmltM',  II,  23. 

Knox,  Ueii.  Henry,  II,  138,  264,  266, 
2()7,  273,  3"4,  321,  3i2,  324,  357, 
371,374, 

KnypluvuHen,  Oflii,,  I,  172,  284. 

KnyphauHeii,  (Jen.,  11,100. 

KoquutlmiKai'elilon,  I,  348. 

KouoiuHku,  TliadduUH,  I,  27. 


Krassanes,  If.  590. 

La  HraiicliH,  II,  31)1. 

l.arhiiie,  II,  1((3,  lOH. 

Lai-kawanii,  1,  32^.  332. 

Larkanaxen,  I,  416. 

Lackiiwayoti    ''.    169. 

La    '.Id..;,   well.,  I,   25f!,  300,   .101, 

3112,  303,  300,  307,  308,  343,  369, 

371,410. 
La  Fayti''.  ''l'"-.  H,  25,  y8, 193,  194, 

23;.',  244. 
Laird,  VVni..  II,  190. 
Laki-'s  (.'(iiiipiuiy,  II,  186. 
Lake  Clianiplttin,    battle  on,   I,  173, 

174. 
Lake  Cliaii.plulii,   II,  178,  183,    196, 

204,  21(»,  570. 
Lake  Krie,  II,  239,  240,  244,  245,  357, 

397. 
Lake   George,  I,   19,    1,^9,  200,  201, 

I.akefJe.irge,  II,  64,  81,118, 134,396, 

4'  9 

Lake  Huron,  11,240,  245,  397. 

Lake  Untariu,  II,  239,  244,  397,  398. 

Lnnil),  Col  ,  I,  2hl 

Liiira.ster,  1,  100,  141,  43G,  445. 

Land.",  urii'vani^e  alioiit,  I,  101. 

Land  J<'.lilier8,  II,  399,  400. 

Laiigan,  Lt.,  11,  274,   275,  277,  279, 
286. 

T,iin.sing,  Knsif  n  Oarrett,  II,  546. 

I.i  PotluTJe,  1,  288. 

Lupraitie,  1,  157. 

Laiiir    .  General,!,  255,  268. 

Laun    s,  Henry,  II    214. 

Lam.  ,,^,  Col.  Jolii,,  II,  25. 

Lawyer,  Mr.,  I,  410. 

Leasee,  Conijmnv,  II,  290,  410,  412. 

Leliounf,  11,  'dbO. 

Ledyaid,  Col  ,  J  I,  19? 

Lee,  Aiihur,  I,  148,  Lai,  298. 

L-e,Gen.  Charles,  1, 169, 172,  344,  345. 

Lee,  Henrv    H,  315 

Lee,  Co'     i  .uirt,  II,  572. 

L"',  Major,  II,  52. 

in  belialf  of  Colonies,  I,  49. 

1         lat     e,  address  to  troops,  1,  263. 

J    .oest.      11,33. 

?    nni  Leiiiipe,  I,  319. 

Lionard,  Capt.  W.,  II,  417,  572. 

Lepper,  Mr.,  I,  3(>3. 

Leslie,  Col.,   ojipoKed  by  Col.  Picker- 
ing, I,  51. 

Letters,    their    value    in   history,   I, 
xxvi,  xxvii. 

Letters  convHyed  by  Indians,  I,  108. 

Levasseur's  Lafayette,  II,  244. 

Lewis,  Col.  Andrew,  1, 41, 42,  44, 45, 


INDEX. 


Lpwis,  Col.  Clmrles,  killed,  I,  42 
Liwi.M,  Mnvy.  II,  3;  Uetscv,  130, 
J.--wis,  Col.  MoiKiii),  I,  268,  4M. 
Lfwis,  Col.  Mi)ri,'aii.  II,  ]]«,  117  lift 

^      .120,  121,  120,  330,401    49i:' 
Lf    in,  U.  Saiu'l,  II,  546. 
Ia'nvis,  Kiisinii,  I,  834. 
L"wist()ii,  II,  602,  .104,  505. 
i'fxiiiKioti.  I,  2!t,  30,  ril. 
lHxitigtt.il.  M,  181,  216  " 
Leydell,  N.  Y.,  Il,4:.9. 
I.'iloimiiHdltu,  Mr.,  II,  290 
I'OriHiit,  II,  486. 
Lil.'ity  polHH,  I,  34,  .'52,  IOC,  .364 
i-icl<iiigriv.r,  II,  4SI.  .11,  71,  216' 
Ll^^llt■(Mlt,  Capt.,  II,  90. 
Lilliiigton,  Col  ,  i,  119. 

^'''"'4jfl'  ^''"  •  '•  '"'*'  ^3.  274,  301, 

^'"T'",'  ?':■;'■■/'•  •'■^^'  52,  fi3.  99,  338, 
oo.i,  d41,  347. 

Lindliii',  Jacob,  II,  339. 

LiltlH,  Aaron,  I,  ;)74.  j 

Littli',  Alirnliniii,  I.  71    pg.  100    lO"    I 

,       1:^1,  133,  147,444:4.1.5.       '         'I 

I.ittle  Bfiirti,  II,  29,  31,  33. 

Little  Heard.stowii,  II,  29,31,  32  33 

'  -tie  Hudalo,  II,  4.16.  '      '       " 

iHtle,  Ciipt.  ,lohn,  I,  421. 

LiUluKals,  11,  , If,,  124,  126,410. 
Litlle  T,.      s,  1,  3(53 

.2,      ,7  "■.312,313,  367,379, 

oifti,  .>a-i,  .-iH/. 
I-iltlH,  Cajit.  .luliii,  If,  190 
l.ittiel,;.l,.s,   M.ij.,  JI,  •iG4. 
Liverpool,  iiiiiii-of-war,  I,  II9 
Livingston,  Li.  Col.,  I,  281 
l.iviinr.'itui,.  Col.,  I,  3(J8 
Livinij.^tnn,  Col.  John,  II,  410,41" 
Livn.gsto„,lVter  V.P.,h,tterof(iuy 

Living.ston,  Rob.Mt'K.,"lI,  102 
Livinf.st<.ii,  Walt.T,  I,  9,k   432 
Liviiig.stoM,  Gov,  Wm.,  l',  345 
Livingston  Mam    ,  II   491 
Logan,  the^Mn^o  Cl.ieU,    ?8,   39, 

Logan  lak,...'  revenge,  I,  41 ;  e.ypedi. 

t.on  against,  41,  42  ;  fight.s  the  in- 

va.ier,,42;  Speech  of,  46;  its  au- 

lhent.Lity.xamined,46,47;nmr- 
der  of,  48. 

T  ia;an,  Jarnes,  I,  38. 

L",i,'an,  Col.,  I,  349. 

Long,  Capt.,  I,  3.I6 

1-ong,  Col.,  1,  202. 

Long  Island,  Battle  of,  I   170 

Long  Knives.  II,  387 

i^ngueil,  lo.)alists  repulsed,  I,  112. 


617 


I.oskiei.  ir,  22r). 

Loth  rlilifi.,  Cupt  ,  recriiit.s  for,  I,  1.1 

Loudon,  I.oi,i,  u.^i.^dition   to   Canada, 

J  ,     .J, 

Louis,  (',,1  ,  I,  4[)\_ 
Louisiana,  11,  ijij. 
Lovell.  (fell.,  II,  ;VJ. 

Lowell,  II,  .•;(;;■) 

Lower  8ii!,dn:,Kv,  II.  62.372 
Lund.v's  Lao,.,  II,  017. 
Lush,  Ma,JMr,  ij,  J47  .r,0(;, 
Luther,  IJ,  I  ,1 
Lutteivll,  Col,,  I    li,', 
lO'conia,  I,  421.  ' 
l^ydiiiS  Col.,  I,  44:i. 
L.)'iTian,  Lt  Sini-on,  II,  ipg 
Lvn(hCo,le,  11,  Lmi,  181.  " 
./ttleton,  Lorl,  I,  lj,o. 
Ma.k,  .Mi.ss,  II,  i;,;. 
Mi'A I.e. station,  H,  171 

iM<ai.>elai,d,  .Mr,  11.47!)      ''     '  •'"'• 
Mc•C  e.lan,  Lt  ,  J,  y,-,S,410. 
Met  leniien.  Lieut,  II   2;i4 
McConnell    Ale.x.,„der,  H,"  70,  71 
McCoriMicks,  11,390  ' 

•VlcCiacken,  Maj,„,II,  l.r.o 
iMcCrea,  Jane,  murdered,  I   203    901 

MeCuUey,  .Mnjor,  II,  .1C3. 
Me    onahi,  (ie„.,  defeated,  f  119 
McDonald,  ra),t.,  I,  243        ' 
McDonald,  Capt.,  H,  ](). 

S   '  ^'"*''''''  "'  ^^^'  IH  165, 
McDonald,  II,  189. 
McDonald,  I.ient,  killed,  J   ooq 
McDonald,  I,  2li',  .■■;.14  49..'      "■ 
McDonald     Capt    Allei,,  "/7  igg     137 

,,,,'-"''  J ■',M^'"- 424,455.       '         ' 
McPougal,  Daniel.  I,  72. 

McDoiigal,  DuiK^an.  I,  73 
McDonnell,  Duncan,  II,  ]3l 
McDonnell,  John,  II,  13] 
McDonnell,  Kennith,  II   131 
McDonnell,  Col.,  H,  284 
McDonnell,  Lt.  Col,,  nj  507. 
McDougall,  G«n.,  I,  283. 
McDougall,  (ien.,  II,  131 
McGinnis,  Mr  ,  I,  3e;4. 
McGrewer,  Donald,  11   131 
Mcintosh,  Oen.ial,  I,  350,'351    396 
3i(S,  399.  '     '^  ' 

Mcintosh,  John,  11,  ]3i 
McKean,  Capt.,  I,  311,  312,  380. 

159,  m''  "•  ^^^'  ^^^''  '"'  ^58' 

McKean.  Col.,  II,  121.  122   129   ion 
McKea-,liob;rtA.,l,168:        '        • 


i 


.tj 


,  I 


618 


INDEX. 


t) 


En 


Mt-KVe,  A.,  II,  ros. 

MfKe.',  Cipt.,  II,  270,  277   'JRl.  20!, 

211.'.,  2.'(;,  21)7,  2rtS,  2:1,',  J03,  33.S, 

334 
MuKet^,  Col.,  IF,  :i4ii,   341,    347,  357, 

370,  387,  3S!),  31)2. 
IMrK.'B,  I,  34H,  31!). 
M.K.f,  1I,21H,  2>ti.2n4. 
.M.Kiiiaii,  II,  20:«,  27'.l. 
McKiiistiv,  dipt.  Jolm,  I,  155,  ISBj 

II,  -1!)0. 
Mc-Kiiiuht,  Or,  II,  227,  232. 
McKouii,  Will.,  I.  310. 
McMiisiHr,  JaiuKS,  I,  73,  109. 
Mc'.Micliat'l,  John,  iiiurdtr  of,   I,  11, 

13,  14. 
NcMalion,  Miijor,  II,  379,  382, 
McMiilU-ii,  U,  !U.  !I2,  113. 
Mcrhcis..!),  Mr.,  II,  152. 
Madison,  L'dipoial,  killi'il,  I,  226. 
Mail  )g,  (ir  Mailof,  II,  487. 
Ma',''iw,  (,'ol,,  I,  172 
MagHH,  KrisiKn,  I,  2.i4. 
Magee,  Lt.  W.,  II,  540. 
Magliinqiii'ClialiOL'kiiig,  II,  42. 
Miigliingive  Kt'H.sluitli,  II,  47. 
Maliiiigiiii,><,  I,  50. 
Maliiukaiulcrs,  I,  50. 
Malcoiii,  Capt   II.  272,  505,  506. 
.Manifesto  of  .St.  Li'ger,  II.  230. 
Manly,  Capt.,  c'ii|>tuii's  piizi-.s,  I,  115. 
Mann,    Capt.    UeorgH,    I,   314,   315, 

310.  :^!7. 
M^.iior  of  Livingston,  II,  400, 
Maquiihee,  II,  43,  47,  4S. 
Marbatt,  .John,  I,  114. 
Marlili'town,  II,  1)4. 
Mari'liant,  Henry,  1,206. 
Mariiius,  Mr.,  1,  309. 
Mark  upon  I'aptive.s,  I,  380. 
Marklanil,  II,  lii,  liii. 
Mar(ini/.Ht..  Captain,  I,  224,  226. 
Marsh,  Prof.,  facts  from,  I,  xxiv. 
Marshall's      Washington,     I,      xvii, 

xxvi,  338. 
Martin,  Capt.,  I,  309,  400. 
Maryland,  Kevolutioii  in,  I,  37. 
Mason,  Rkv.  John  M.,  II,  439,  440. 
Masonic  signals,  I,  419. 
Massacre  of  Moravians,  II,  223,   224, 

225. 
MassaohusHtls,   I,  36,  37,  51,  55,  58, 

59   77   115 
Matthews,  Capt!,  II,  144,  283. 
Matthews,  Gen.,  I,  172. 
Matthewi,  Gen.,  II,  52. 
Matthews,    Major,    II,   270, 272,  273, 

281,  282. 
Matthews,  II,  3,  279. 

1.5 


Mfluuhwanwamo,  1,319,320. 

.Maxnoll,  I).ivi<l,  I,  J  14. 

Maxwll,  (fen  ,  I,  343. 

Maxwell,  Gen.,  II.  5,  18. 

.M.ixwell,  Will  ,  11,  .152. 

.Mav,  II,  .ih:). 

.Mayiianl,  JoiiMth:in,  II,  492. 

Meeker,  Miij.  Simiii.  1,  I,  410,  421. 

Meigs,  Col  ,  I,  lor.,  2S3,  284. 

Mfll'T,  Col  ,  I,  2.'ii>. 

.Mellon,  I,t.  Col  ,  I.,  229. 

.Ml  iiioiiH,  Author's  plan  of  writing,  I, 

xxvi. 
Mewill,  Mrs.,  II,  313,  314. 
Me.shefannaipiii,  II,  312,  307, 
.\Ies.^ei^;lllglle.■l,  I,  220,  221. 
Alessissagoes,  II,  280. 
Mexi.o,  II,  4^.i. 
Miami  Hav,  II,  ."OO. 
Miami,  ll",  71,  .•i07,  .300,310,342,346, 

3"i0,  3'>8,  31)2.  377. 
Miami,  battle  of,  II,  .'■p02. 
Miami  ofllie  hake.s,  II,  381,  383. 
Miami  Kapi.ls,  II,  295,  334,  330,  339, 

3411,  a42,  344.  348,  ■i:>!'>,  359,  300, 

301,  332,  309,  375,  384. 
MlamiH,  II,  205,    270,  277,   278,  291, 

29.3,  297,  29!>,  .iOO,  3('3,  3(;4,  308, 

314,  320,  329,  332,  33.''.,  338,  348, 

350,»3.''-.^  350,  389,  4U5. 
Miehiliiiiarkiiiai-k,  I,  352. 
Micbiliiiiackinack,  II,  301,  ull. 
Middlel.rook,  II,  1.39. 
Middleburgh,  I    317. 
Midclleliiirgli,  II,  107. 
Midway.  I,  394. 

Militia,  I,  7,  100,   123,  136,  171,  173. 
.Miller,  .Adam,  1,  2:!.'.,  331). 
Miller,  Uev.  .Samuol,  II,  440. 
Miller,  Uev.  Dr..  II,  457,  479,  496. 
Miller,  II,  3X1,  3S.-.. 
.Miner's  Wyoming,  1,  xvii,  339. 
Miiigo.S  I.  38,  42. 

Mingo.s,  II,  41.  48,  225,  340,  348,  876. 
Miiigees,  II,  ntj.'). 

Miiiisink,  1,  41,"),  417,  418.  421,  422. 
:\liiiisink,  II,  oO,  0,'),  441,  491. 
Missions,  liidi.'in,  1,  20. 
Mississagays,  11,  3,  355,  497,  534. 
Missi.ssagiia  reservation,  II,  4UC. 
Milcliell,  Ml-.,  I,  374,  375. 
Mohawk  District,  I,  .02. 
Mohawk  Dist.,  i'Sleeting,  II,  546. 
Mohawk  Prayerliook,  1,  20,  27. 
Moharks,  I,  xviii,  xxiv,  7,  14,  15,25, 

67,  71,   80,   101,   112,  114,  158, 

181,  244,  3114,  305,  307,  410,  440, 

447,  454. 
Mohawks,  II,  2,  3,  38,  238,  242,  244, 


INDEX. 


619 


245.  281.  2«2.  280.  2!H,  nOl,  313, 
aiH,  ;!2I,  ;]:',:>.  .jui,  ■»(•:.'.  4o;i,  404' 
40(1,  107,  411;),  411.415,  410.  422' 
■12 »,  4Jti,  427,  .■,()«. 

Moliawk    Viillcy.  Hcttlemcnt    of.    I 
xvii,  ;i(),  :il. 

IMolH'jfiinH,  I,  ,')!). 

MiiliogiiiiK,  1 1,  :V>'t, 

iMiilieiikiiuiicks,  11,  50. 

MolioakodMiiiic'k  liiliy.congrcss  sends 
Bpeucli  til,  I,  5'.). 

Moliic'coiis,  1.  Mi, 

MllilUOUrllH,   I,  5(i. 

Moliiekanilei'H,  I,  50. 

Moliiokaniiiiuck,  or  North  River    I 
;■)(),  '     ' 

Moini.  Kiirl  of,  II,  25t),  259. 

MomlmckiiH.  II.  lO'.t, 

MoMinoiith,  I.  3i;{.  ;)44,  345,  356,  305. 

Moti()i.-kniioL'k,  I.  ;i37. 

Monongalia.  I,  413. 

Monoiigiiliela,  1!.  220. 

Moiiroo,  Col.  .liuiifH.  II,  245,  247, 

Motisell,  Capt.,  II.  l:;3. 

Muntcalm,  Marquis,  at  Lake  George, 

I,  5. 
Monlpoiiipry,  Geti.,  I,    108,  112.  110. 

117,  1(12. 
Montgomery  C„.  nanic.l,  II,  230. 
MontiJiir,  Ciipt..  I,  ;!4i». 
Montour,  (Jailiarine.  I,  ,130,  391. 
Montour,  (.'atliarinc,  II,  23. 
Moniri'al,  I,  8!J,  lOO,  117,  "2I8,  300. 

3U2,  .HI.'!. 
Montreal,  II,  08,  270,  282,  283,  284. 

32(1. 
Mnniiinent  voted  to  Herkimer,  I,  248. 
Moniiinent  at  I'acdi,  I,  2«o. 
Moody,  ("apt.,  II.,  loO. 
Miorc,  IJisliop,  II.  45(1. 
Moor  Charity  School,  II,  488. 
Moure,  (ien.,  I,  ll'.t. 
Moorp,  Jiimes,  on  committee,  1, 108. 
Mooi-e,  .lohn,  I,  72,  1U8. 
Mooie,  Joseph,  II.  339. 
Moore,  John,  I,  371. 
Moore,  Miss,  II,  55,03. 
Moore,  Airs.,  I,  377. 
Moore,  Mr.H.,  II,  130. 
Moore's  Creek  Bridge,  battle  of,  I, 

119. 
Moravians,  I,  319,  321,  322,  323. 
Moravians.    II.    217,   218.   219    ''''3 
22.-..  220,  228,  229,  230,  232,  358! 
Muskingum,   II,  208,  217,  219   ""4 
231,  232,  281,  329,  334,  363,  378! 
494. 
Musquakies,  II,  375,  506. 


Mutiny  in  American  army,  II,  139. 

141,  140.  '  ' 

Myers,  Jacob,  II,  159. 
Nanticokes,  I,  328. 
Nantiookcs,  II,  4,  340,  855,  376,  441, 

50.1, 

Narrugansetts  join  Mohegans,  I,  67. 

Na.sh,  Uen.,  I,  2K0. 

Nash,  Samuel,  II,  212. 

Navisink,  I,  415. 

Ni'gloy,  Kelix,  II,  503. 

Nellis,  Judge,  II,  100. 

Nepean,  Sir,  Kvan,  I,  162. 

Nepean,  Sir  Kvan,  II,  257. 

Neskayuna,  II,  157. 

Neutrality  of  Indians  given  up,   I, 

Neversink,  II,  169. 

Newark,  I,  172. 

Newark,  II,  434,  509,  513. 

Newbury,  a  tory,  I,  375. 

Newbury  hung,  II,  0. 

New  lirunswick,  I,  175. 

New  liiiglaud  Corporation,    II,  629. 

53(',  5:;i.  5;i2. 
New  Oalwny,  II,  154. 
New  Grange,  U,  483. 
New  Hampshire,  I,  37. 
New  Hampshire  Grants.  II,  178,  179 

180,  181,  182,  183,  184,  197,  199) 

New  Haven  plundered,  II,  52. 

New  Jersey,  1,  172,  192,  190,  197. 

New  Jersey,  11,  224. 

Newkirk,  .\liijor,  II.  39. 

New  London,  II,  194. 

Newman,  II,  3M1. 

New  Urlonns,  II,  292. 

Newport,  I,  340,  347. 

Newport,  II,  I04. 

New  Sooiland,  II,  152,  543. 

New  S..utli  Wales,  II,  524. 

Newtown,  liatfloof,  I,  xxiii. 
Newtown,  II,   19,  20,  21,  23   "5    oa 
3i.  o5,  37,  400.  '-'-". 

New  llochelle,  I.  206. 
New  Windsor,  II,  139. 
New  York.  I,  49,  77,  78,  106.  162. 

169,  171,  343.  ' 

New  York,  II,  100. 
New  York  Bay  frozen,  II,  54. 
New  York  Legislature  on  Indian  Ti- 
tles, II,  241,  242. 
New  York  Spectator,  II,  533. 
Niagara,  I,  20,  25,  82,  210,  218   288 
304,  321,  340,  350,  358,  300,  SOo! 

371,378,382,383,384,380,387. 
391,393,403,438. 


G20 


INDEX. 


,,, 


Niagara,  IT,  3,  4,  10,  32,  34,  30,  41, 
54.  f)5,  u7,  5H,  f)'J,  111),  01,  03,  t;(i, 
67,  08,  71,  125,  127,  130,  107, 
218,  230,  203,  2C8,  2/0,  271,  284, 
280,  297,  31)3,  ;!()7,  322,  324,  327, 
328,  331,  335,  3:!0,  340,  343,  347, 
348,  357,  303,  304,  31)0,  300,  402, 
405,  417,  423.  425,  434,  430,  400, 
401,  401,  403,  501,  502,  507,  500, 
510,  533,  535,  577,  582. 

Nickus,  Peter.  I,  9,  314,  317. 

Nik.adiyooni,  II,  145. 

Niliweiinudgh,  II,  57(3. 

Niiinvlia,  II,  47. 

Nine  Mile  Point,  I,  221,  222. 

Nine  Mile  Landing,  II,  04. 

Nisquitha,  II,  543. 

Norfolk,  I,  110. 

Norfolk,  II,  52,  142,  193. 

Norman    Emigrants,  II,  487. 

Normans  Kill,  II,  00,  07,  152,  543. 

North,  Lord,  I,  115. 

North,  Lord,  II,  500. 

Northampton,  I,  421. 

Northampton,  II,  00,  458. 

North  (.'arolina,  I,  110,  422. 

North  Carolina,  II,  51,  100,  193,  546. 

Northmen,  II,  487. 

Northmen,  Voyages  of,  II,  590,  591, 
502,  503.  ' 

Northumlierlanil,  Duke  of,  II,  251, 
337,  404,  400,  410,  417,  424  420, 
430,  524,  508. 

Norton,  John,  I,  108. 

Norton,  John,  II,  238.  288,  404,  409, 
412,  4)4,  415,  418,  422,  424,  428, 
480,  577. 

Norwalk,  I,  283. 

Norwalk,  11,  52. 

"  Nose,"  on  .Mohawk,  II,  115,  119. 

O'Bail,  John,  U,  1(15.  127. 

O'BMil,  ("apt,  11,  127,  200,  302,  304, 
377,  378,  380,  430,  440. 

Oboylaco,  I,  200. 

Occum,  Samson,  at  School,  I,  21. 

Odeseniiidige,  (/"njit.  John,  II,  144. 

Ogiighto,  news  brought  by,  I,  0. 

Ogden,  Amos,  I,  324,  325,  320,  327. 

Ogden,  Nathan,  I,  ")20. 

Ogdensburgh.  II,  502. 

Oghgwarioghi'cta,  II.  570. 

Oghkwaga,  I,  33,  1(;8,  177,  178,  179. 
180,181,  182,  18'.;,  310,  341,  307, 
374. 

Oghkwaga.  IT,  17,  18,  58,  509. 

Oglinaongoghton,  II,  575. 

Oghquaga,  I,  33,  107,  108. 

Oghsouwalagctte,  II,  57C. 


I  Ogilvie,  Res'.  John.  1,26. 
Ogilvic,  Capt,  11,  500. 
Ogongksaneyont,  II,  570. 
Ohio,  II,  2o4,  205,  205,  301,  330,  338 

;^48,  354,  355,  358,  303,  378,  302, 

30:i,  404. 
Ohio.  Indian  hostilities  in,  I,  348, 
OJ.Tgcghtc,  11,  675. 
O'kogh.-ionniyonte,  II,  423,  579. 
Olean  Point,  II,  585. 
Oneaquaga,  I,  33,  108. 
Oneida,  I,  307. 

Oneida,  II,  29,  30.  123,  101,319. 
Oneida  Lake,  1,  8,200,  217,  201,  4C4, 

405. 
Oneida  Lake,  II,  180,  189,  233. 
Oneida  Mission,  I,  20,  25. 
Oneidas.  I.  7,  12,  13  47,  58,  80,  82, 

80,  87,  149,  215,  227,  244,  259, 

200,  305,  300,  30(;.  307,  370,  372, 

401,  402,  408,  409,  411,  432,  433, 

434,  435,  504. 
Oneidas,  II,  3,  7,  10,  11,  17,  23,  24, 

30,  54,  55,   103,  10 1,   105,  119, 

121,  122,  135, 143,  144,  108,  190, 

242,  244,  240,  289,  480. 
Oneigat,  II,  24. 
Onondaga,    central  council  fire,    1, 

XXV. 

Onondaga,  council  fire  extinguished, 

II,  76. 
Onondaga  Creek,  T,  405,  400. 
Onondaga  Hill,  II.  3f)l. 
Onondaga  Lake,  1,  405. 
Onondaga  1-ake,  11,  123. 
Onondaga  Landing,  1,  405. 
Onondagas,  I,  7,  8,  T-.  12,  13,  86,  217, 

293,  294,  200,  304.  305,  300,  307, 

370,  372,  402,  41.!,  404,  400,  407, 

408,  409,  411,  413. 
Onondagas.  II.  3,  7.  11,  24,  238,  243, 

244,  280,  350,  420,  500.  585, 
Ontario,  Council  at,  I,  83,  8li,  149. 
Oosterhoudt,  Mr.,  I,  303. 
Oothout.  Capt,,  II,  154. 
Oquaga,  I,  33. 

Orange  Co.  invaded,  I,  415,  418. 
Oraiigeburgh,  II,  142. 
Orendiirf,  Frederick,  on  committee, 

I,  73. 
Oriskany,  I,  233,  234,  235,  230,  237, 

24(1,  241,  242,  249,  307,  307,  459, 

401. 
Oriskany,  11,  29,  30,  78,  189,  330. 
Oswald,  Wm.,  II,  214. 
Oswegatchle,  I.  153,  210,410. 
Oswegatchie,  11,  81,  215.  2(^8,570. 
OHWcgo,   1,  5,  7,  88,  100,   102,  103, 


INDEX. 


149,18(5.196,209,  210,  211  "ir. 
217.  218,  220,  2;J7,  201,  202;  2!*! ' 
300,  ;^,5U,  358,  .SOO,  ;;88,  384,  885' 

393,  404,  4J5,  454,  455, -JoO  400 

'2O8  340'"^'  ^^'^'  ^'^'  ^**"'  ^^^' 
Oswego  Kails,  IT,  233. 
Ornghseronge,  II,  575. 
Otqueandageglite,  bo.Jy  of  found,  I 

Otfego  Lake,  I,  312,  421 
Otsego  Lake,  11,5,  13,  14,  17. 
Otsego,  11,  4,  10,  504. 
'Jttawannio,  a  Cayuga,  I,  14 
Oliawns,  I,  17. 

Ottawas,  ri,  3,  218,  243,  20]    OQr^ 
270,  278.  348,  349,  355,  37M87: 

Otter  Creek,  11,  00. 
Otsinarcnta,  II,  420. 
Olyoglnvawagoi),  II,  570. 
Ouiataiious,  II,  2I,i3. 
Ouise  Kiver,  II,  230,  240  282 
Owasco  Lake,  I,  217.  ' 
Oyonw.ijea  Creek,  II,  244 
OylikwHgas,  II,  422. 
riiiuteil  I'ost,  II,  304,  306,  318 

*l'"o'  4!o  ''^"''  ^*'  ^"'  ^^'  ^^^' 
Palatine,  II,  115,  100,  215,327 
Paliiierstown,  II,  144   145 
Paoli,  I,  284,  285,  347. 
T'apera  Concealed  by  Johnson,  IL  80 
raramus,  II,  102. 
Paris  Isaac,  I,  179,  213,  234,  240 

242,  400,  401. 
Parish,  Jolin,  II,  330. 
Parker,  .lohii.  I,  310. 
Parker,  Sir  Peter,  I,  100 
Parker,  killed,  II,  32,  33.' 
Parliiinient  ou   Colonies,  I,    40    50 

Parr.  Major,  II,  ]0. 
ParrnderasUi,  I,  353. 
Patrick,  Captain.  I,  354,  413 
Party  factions,  II,  300. 
Patcliiii,  Freegifi,  II,  50,  66 
Pa'ciiin,  [suae.  II.  5(i,  83. 
Patchin,  ISaniuel,  II,  212. 
Pat liots  of  Mohawk  Valley  I  34  S't 
Paulding,  Capt.  Henry,  II,  l(;o,  l7o' 
^  aulding,  Lt.  Col.  Albert,  II,  17.  18 
K'7,  109,  170.  .      .      .    °, 

Pnulu.s,  wampum  delivered  to.  I  7 
PauhiH  Hook    II,  52. 
Peace  declared,  II.  -'ll   0,0,0  007 
'easiey,  II,  154. 
Peocaway,  II,  216. 

16 


62] 


Pekillon,  II,  208. 

Peltry,  Harman,  letter  concerninff  I 

427.  °'    ' 

Pempotowwuthut,    Muhheoanneuw. 
1,  5/. 

n""""'  ?JZ-  '^''''"'  ^'  '^24,  440,  451. 
j  I  enn,  William,  I,  145,  320,  323. 
I  I'enn,  II,  339. 

I'enob.scof,s,  plan  to  employ,  I,  159 

Icquodsjoin  Mohegans,  I,  57. 

I'ercy,  Lord,  I,  ]  72. 

Percy,  Lord,  11,  337,  428,  515,  524. 

Perkins,  II,  212. 

Peter,  a  Mohawk,  I,  178,  179, 

Peter,  Samuel,  II,  480,  583. 

Petersham,  Lord,  1,  409. 

Pelrie,  Daniel,  II,  09. 

Petrie,  Dr.,  I,  240. 

Petrie,  Dr.,  II,  100. 

Petrie,  Lieut.,  I,  242. 

Petry,  John,  on  Committee,  I,  73 

1  eiry,  Williiini,  on  Corumittee,  1,72 

1  eitingiU.  Capt.  Samuel.  I,  242. 

I'help.s,  Kev.  Davenport,  II,  43'>'433 

Phelp.s,  Oliver,  II,  413. 
Philadelphia,  I,  102,  197    "84    "85 

280  ;ilO,  324,  .'i27,343, "3.50',  369! 
Ihiladelphui,  11,   04,   101.    138    140 

249,  298,299,304,318,310'  320' 
822,323,324,320,328.329,339 
419,453.  454,455.4.-7,408. 

Philistines,  II,  185. 

Phillips,  Gen.,  I,  2()1,  208,  270.  271 
407,  409,  472,  473.  ' 

Phillips,  Gen.,  II,  103. 

Piankishaiis,  II,  500, 

Pickard,  John,  ori  Committee,  I,  72. 

Pickering,  Timoi;,y,  I,  xxx,  51,342! 

Iickering,    Timothy,    II,    209,    301 

304,300,307,318,321,338.339. 
o4(). 

Pigott,  Sir  Robert  ,1,  346,  347 

Pine  Creek,  II,  500. 

Pipe,  Captain,  I,  348. 

Pipe,  Capt.,    II,   208,  218,  219.  226. 

227,  200,  207. 
Pipe  of  Peace,  I,  99,  436. 
Pitt.  Mr.,  II,  420,  000. 
Pittsburgh,  1,  25,  118,  JioO. 
Pitisbuigh,  II,  41,  151,  219,  220  ''w 

223,  205,  300,  551,  500,  5(i3,  564.* 
Pittstield,  !1,  536. 
Pittsford,  II,  87. 
Platts  killed,  II,  73. 
Plunkett,  Co!..  I.  329. 
Plymouth,  I,  328. 
Plymouth,  II,  690. 


» 


622 


INDEX. 


Pocahontns,  II.  60. 

Pointe,  Appinoau,  II,  .380. 

Pointaufer,  II,  145. 

Point  Pleasant,  I.  11,  I'Jl,  192. 

Point  Creek,  I,  .'i-jl. 

Pompey,  French  in,  II,  HS'),  588. 

Pompton,  II,  141. 

Pond,  Cnpt.,  Peter,  II,  313. 

Pontine,  I.  24.  25,  HI). 

Pontiac,  II,  248.  28'J,  584. 

Poor,  Gen.,  I,  271. 

Poor,  Gen.,  II,  5,  18,  20.  21. 

Popham,  Maj.  \Vm.,  1.  280,  200. 

Poppino.  JIajor,  I,  418. 

Porter,  Peter  IJ..  I,  xxiii,  149. 

Porter,  Peter  B.,  II,  458,  402,  488, 

492,  400. 
Portland,  Duke  of.  II,  407,  408. 
Portsmouth,  II,  lO.'i.  194. 
Ports,  Northern  retained.  II.  209. 
Pottowattamies.  II,  8,  248,  205,  270, 

278,  285,  295,  ;J48,  349,  855,  301, 

374,  38)). 
Poughkeepsie,  I,  338,  358. 
Powder,  wanted,  I,  100. 
Powell.  Ma),  1,  341. 
Powell.  II.  04,  131),  131,  133,  134. 
Pownall,  Gov..  II,  483. 
Pratt,  Mr..  1,  323. 

Prejudices  of  Historians,  I,  xiii,  xvi. 
Prescott,  Gcnorfil.  1.  157. 
Presents  to  Indians.,  I,  188. 
Presque,  Isle,  II,   45,  40,  332,  377, 

378.  ,381. 
Price,  Major,  II,  385. 
Prideaux.'Gen..  Dcaili  of.  I,  2^ 
PrieLMley,  Dr.,  II,  453,  582. 
Prince  of  Wales,  II,  2.">0.  258,  200. 
Princeton,  liatileot',  1.  175. 
Princeton.  II,  139,  140,  440,  441. 
Prison,  Inland,  II,  91. 
Proceedings  of  Patriotic  meeting,  I, 

35. 
Proctor,  Col.,  II.  299,  301,302,  308, 

304,  300,  423. 
Provincial  Asscnihly,  I,  30. 
Providence,  II,  100. 
Provost,  Lieut.,  intimute  with  Brant, 

I,  28. 
Provost,  Gen.,  11,  51. 
Provost,  Jlrs..  II,  101,  102. 
Puckcty,  II,  655. 
Puckonchcluh,  IT,  30O. 
Pulaski,  Count,  I.  415. 
Pulaski,  Count,  II,  62. 
Putnani.  Capt.,  II,  81. 
Putnam,  Gen.,  I,  247,  273,  280,  282, 

395, 


Putnam,  Oen.,  II,  4. 

Putnam,  .loliii,  1,  9,  309. 

I'liliiam,  Lodowick,  II,  73, 

Putnam,  Hufiis,  II,  310,  331. 

Quackenbusli,  .Ujr.'tham,  I,  114. 

QuMckonbo.ss,  Abraham  D.,  I,  401. 

Quiickenboss,  .lolin  S.,  I,  401. 

(,}uael<yiick.  II,  158. 

Qiiago,  1,  108, 

Quageewon,  II,  394. 

(,tU!ik(-r  agents,  II,  339. 

Quaker  Hill,  I,  347. 

liucbcc,  II.  239,  245,  250,  203,  270, 

279,  29i;,  337,  300,  307,  391,  392, 

400,  421,  434,  45:'., 
Quebec  be.sicged.  I,  117,  1G2,  218. 
Queden-GoiMh,  I,  433. 
Quedar,  I,  431,  430,448. 
Queen.s'  Rangers.  II,  527. 
Qucenston,   II,  340,  501,  503,    507, 

510. 
Quiquago  Indians.  I,  401. 
Quimby,  Mr.  II,  486. 
Kah'igh,  Sir  Waller.  II,  251. 
Kam.say's  History,  I,  88,  339. 
Randolph  Beverley,  holds  a  treaty,  I, 

XXX. 

Randolph  Beverley,  II,  338,  389,  340, 

Randdlph  Edmund,  11.309. 

Randolph.  Lt.,  11^  50t),  508. 

Rangers,  I,  108,  235,  242. 

Ransun,  Capt.,  I,  335,  338. 

Rapids  of  Ohio,  II.  349. 

Ratiibone,  Lt.,  II,  505. 

R.iwd.in,  Lord,  II,  99,  142,  250,  GOO. 

Ra\ilings,  Col,,  I,  172. 

Rending,  prisoners  to  go  to,  I,  141. 

Red  Bank,  I,  287. 

Red  Kagle  with  Logan,  I,  4 

Ridli:iuk,  I,  192,  li:3. 

Red  Hook.  I,  207. 

Red  .lack et.  I'ortrait  of,  I,  xxx. 

Red  .lacket,  11,  :;t,  35,  105, 135.  130, 
243,  244,  245,  30l,  302,  303,  835, 
304,  415,  410,  417,  420,  423,  440, 
497.  [72. 

Reeber.  Andrew,  on   Committee,    I, 

Rceil.  Pres.  II,  140. 

Read.-  fc^tation,  II,  504. 

Reglitmeyer,  Capt,,  11,  110. 

Romis.sioii  of  Sins,  I,  389. 

Revolution.  I,  xxviii,  30,  37. 

Revnell,  Mrs    1,  471,  472. 

Rhode  Island,  I,  37,  115,  173,  346, 
347. 

Rhode  Island.  11.  99,  103,  194. 

Rice,  Mr.,  I,  ;309. 

Riclur,  Capt,  I,  40*),  410. 


INDEX. 


623 


Riflipy,  .Tamos,  on  rnmmittoo,  I,  1(58 

15 1  I'll  1111)11(1,  1[,  142^  147^  •>;]■>. 

Riilgcway,  I,  28:^ 

Piiil.vnni.  Wm.,  1,  327. 

RiedeHel,  General,  I,  2G8,  270,  271 

27'i,  274.  "     ' 

RieJesel,  Baroness.  I,  278,  274    270 

270;  narrative  of,  465,'472,  470,' 

Rie'lesel.  Baroness,  ir.  2")0.  453. 
River  Inilians,  I,  50,  57,  14;). 
Robertson,  ("apt.,  II,  145. 
Robin's  Travels  quoted,  I,  40. 
Robinson,  Col.  lievorly,  11,  108. 
Robiii'<on.  Moses,  II,  iO',1. 
Robinson,  II,  1!)9. 
Roclieblave.  Philip,  I,  3,52. 
Rocky  River,  II,  372. 
Rocliambe.ui,  Connt,  II,  98,  99. 104 

105,  155,  104,  105. 
Rocliefoncftult,  II,  Iviii. 
Rochester,  II,  100. 
Ro.lgers.  Major,  11,  49,  50,  51. 
Roff.  Col.  .John,  I,  240,  247. 
Rolfe,  II,  411. 
Romney,  George,  paints  portrait  of 

Bnint,  I,  xxviii,  151. 
Rose,  Mr.,  II,  400,  401. 
Rosecrantz,  Mnjor  James,    If,    133 
540.  ' 

Ross,  Major,  II,   145,  187,  188,   189 
100,  102,193.  100,205,214,215' 
Rousseau.  .1.  B..  II,  573. 
Rowlf-y.  Mn.)..  II,  187,  180,  100. 
Roy.il  Grant,  II,  104,  101).  403. 
Royal  Greens,  I.  145,  220. 
Royal  Greens.  II,  1()5,  186. 
Rnnnolls,  Major,  II,  202. 
Runnip,  II,  00. 
Russell,  Peter,  II,  400,  401 
Rnssel,  Mr.,  II.  433. 
Rykiiian,  .loliti,  II,  191. 
Sacondiig^i,  I.  144,  201.309,  404. 
Siicondasra,  II,  93,  1.34. 
.Sacs,  II,  340. 

Sachems,  how  chosen,  I.  148. 
SaclieniM  tiiken  to  Kngland,  I,  4, 
Sndiikcniifrhiie,  I,  411". 
Safl'oid,  Samuel.  II,  109. 
Sag  Harbor,  I,  283, 
Sagngewatlia,  II.  34. 
St.  Angiisiinc,  prize  laker  off,  I,  115 
St.  ("lair,  Gen.  .Arthur,    I,   l(i3    um 

201),  201,  20-2,  21)0.  '     '    '  i 

St.  Clair  Gen.  Arthur.  II,  51  274 
278,  270,  280,  281,*>84  "<)i'  295' 
300,  .301,  304,  300,  .311 1  31  "'3] 3' 
f!14,  315,  ;.i27,  340,  353,  3C0,'  307,' 


372,  381,  383,  494. 
«'.  Goyeh,  II.  205,  206. 
St.  FraiiciH,  I,  303. 
St,  .Johns,  r.  112,  130,  157,  165,196, 

•'!i)<l.  301,  300. 
St.  .JohnH.  II,  81,83,89,90,128,  130, 

l!tl,203. 
St.  .loHeph,  II,  294. 
St.  Linireiico  Co.,  II,  530. 
St.     I,«Ker.    Col.    Barry,    I,  xxviii. 
200,  210,217,  218,210,220,221 
222,  220,  227,220,230,231   232 
233,  235,  2;i7,  241,  243,  244,  245! 
210,  250,  2.52,253,255,250,257, 
2.'.0,  201),  201,202,277,286,287, 
203,  330,  457,  458,  400,  461,  402. 
403,  404.  ' 

St.  Lpger,  Col.,  Barry,  II,  91,  201. 

202.  203,  204,  205. 
St.  LfiwJH,  II,  282. 
St.  Mary,  1|,  204 
St.  PhilipH,  I,  353. 
St,  IloKiH,  Council  at,  I,  209,  216. 
St,  RegiM,  11,  400.  410,  486. 
Si.  Vincent,  I,  400. 
Salem,  I.  51,  328. 
Salem,  II,  217,  219,  220,  221,  222. 
Salinbiiry,  Mr.  1.  309. 
Salisbury,  11,  240. 
Saltiion,  .lolin,  II,  21,  27,  30,  31. 
Salt  Lick,  II,  •,56. 
SiinimonM,  Krid'rick,  I,  243. 
Samnionx.  Frederick,  II.  76,  79    80 
82,  83,  87,  88,  91,  02,  93,  94.      ' 
Sammonn,  .lacob,  I.  53,  394. 
SanimonM,  .hm,„,  II,  70,  79,  80    81 
82.  83.  84,  80,  87,  88,  90,  94,  95,' 
lfi8,  1,50,  100. 
Sammonn,  Sampson,  I,  52,  73,  100 
SaiumotiK,  Sampson,  II,  75,  70,   7*8, 

Sammonn,  Ma.jor,  Thomas,  I,  xxi 
Snmmons,  Mnjor,  Thomas,  II,  75,  70 

77.80.81,05,07.114,  121,  122. 

123.  124,  170,  18.5. 
Sammonn,  Lieut.,  I,  238. 
SammouH,  Lt,,  II,  I0I,  506. 
Sandimky,  I.  206,  354. 
Sanduxky,  11,218,  219,224,  206,  301, 

303,  341,340,  .351,  356,  370^  393^ 

405, 
S»n  Jacinto,  I,  330. 
Siintcc,  II,  142, 
SarftioKft,  1,207.213.  267.  272.  275, 

270,  201.  301.  400,  476,  478 
Saralogtt.  II.  131,  144.  15*9,' 178,  185, 

205,  5*J!  ' 

SarvtT,  B.,  M,  iM. 


ii 


6U 


INDEX. 


n 


Saulkill,  Lt.,  187. 

Savage,  Capt.,  I,  225. 

Savannah,  I,  395. 

Savannah,  II,  17,  214. 

Savory.  William,  II,  339. 

Sawyer.  Mr.,  I,  355. 

Schaghticoke,  II,  147.  20r),  206. 

Scalp-lock,  on  Emblem  of  Chivalry, 
I,  xvi. 

Soanandanani,  I,  449. 

Schaticook.s.  I,  511. 

Scheehan,  Mrs.,  I.  385. 

ScheneclnJy.  I,  (u,  101,  123,  289, 
403.  407,  410. 

Schenectady,  II,  54,  144,541. 

Schermehorn,  Major,  II,  174. 

Sciota  Indians,  I,  349,  351. 

Schlosser,  II,  504. 

Schoonbrunn,  11,  217. 

Schcdiarie.  I,  xviii,  101,  TOO,  178, 
181,  213,  307,  311,  313,  314,  354, 
355,  350,  357.  307.  308,  410.  412. 

Schohi.Tie,  II,  0,  14,  55,  50,  57.  58, 
04,  IOC,  107,  108.  Ill,  112,  114, 
115,  122,  125,  129,157,108,180, 
235,  530. 
School  for  Indian  youth,  I,  21,  22. 
Schools  with  .Mohawks,  11,  529. 
Schovcre,  II,  2('). 
Schuyler,  lirandt,  I,  200. 
Schuyler,  llnnyost,  I,  258,  2.>9,  200, 

202,  292. 
Schuyler,  Nicholas,  I,  2.')8,  259. 
Schuyler,  Col,   Peter,  takes  Sachems 

to  England,  I,  4. 
Schuyler.  Gen.  Philip,  I,  01.  73.93, 
101,  103,  112,  lUl,  120,  121,  1:,!3, 
128,  131,  132,  133.  i;!0.  137,  13S, 
140,  141,142,  l-Vi,  100,  103,  lOli. 
108,  173,  170,  177,  181,  184,  190, 
197,  202,  203,  201,  207,  208,  211, 
212,  213.  214,  215,  210,  221,  223, 
224,  22.5,  220,  227,  2:!2.  250,  255, 
2«5,  2f>6,  207,  275,  277,  278,  279, 
2M8,  290.  3111,  304.  30.-,,  378,  382, 
392,  407,  423,  425,  43  t,  431,  435, 
4--.1.  475,471.473,477. 
Schuyler.  Gon„  Philip,  II,  4,  0.  9,10, 
24.  39,  40,  79,  102,  131,  1.30,  143. 
140.  147,118,  1.5(1,  151,  1.52.  174^ 
175, 170, 177,  178,  204,  212,  242, 

S«Slw»1ki11.  I,  284.  285, 

Sc««..,  II,  220,  294. 

Scrtch  Hostajreg,  I.  139.  141.  142. 

SeMch   Loynlistg,  I,    1(»5,   l(/8,  120, 

134,  142. 
Seott,  James,  on  Committee,  I,  168, 


Scott,  Joseph,  I.  309. 

Scott,  Gen.  Wintield,  I,  .344. 

Scott,  Col.,  II,  307,  315,  .3.84,  504,  505, 

507,.508,  509,611,512,  513,  514, 
515,  510. 
Scouts  sent  to  Oneida  Lake,  I,  8. 
Seaghnagerat,  speech  by,  I,  98,  432, 

435. 
Seeber,  Capt.  Henry,  I,  234,  237. 
Seeber,  .lacob,  I,  110,  237,  242. 
Seeber,  Lt.  William,  I,  72,  2<12. 
Siege  tif  Fort  Schuyler  raised,  1,257, 

258,  259,  200,  201. 
Siege  of  Fort  Stanwi.x,  I,  230. 
Selby,  Wni.,  II,  423,      ' 
Seneca,  Abeal,  II.  243. 
Seneca,  (Jeorge,  II,  441. 
Seneca  Luke,  I,  217,  340,  4G0. 
Seneca,  Country  invaded,  I,  350 
Seneca  Lake,  II,  23,  20,  30,  37. 
Sencas,  1.  8(;,  182,  243,244,304,305, 

307,  371,  373,  380,  389,  390,  391, 

410,  440. 
Seneoas,  II,  3,  41, 120,  238,  244,  24.5, 

289,  295,  324,  332.  355,  387,  411, 

412,  415,  416,  440,  447,  400. 
Sergeant,  Uov.  John,  at  Stockbridge, 

I,  57, 
Seth,  II,  380. 

Seven  Nations  of  Canada, face  Caugh- 

nawagas),  I. 
Seven  Nations  of  Canada,    II,    332, 

339,  350,  355,  359,  300,  307,  409, 

410. 
Shabosh,  Joseph,  II,  220. 
Shades  of  Denth,  I,  3.36. 
Sliagngea.ieronui,  II,  575. 
Shimokin.  I.  38,  39,  320. 
Slmnkland,  Mr.,  II,  15,  10, 
Sharon.  II,  157. 
Siuiwanese,  39,  41,  42,  50,  102,  103, 

191,  192,  193,  295,313,  319,  .320, 

347,  349.  403,  422,  446,  449,  450. 
Shawanese,  II,  40,  43,  45,  47,  48,  49, 

71  101,  164,  165.  166.  107.  171, 
220.  230.  232,  236,  243,  205,  278, 
285,  291,  295,  335.  ;i42,  345,  846, 

348,  350,  355.  359,  300,  374,  390. 
Shswangauk,  II,  66. 

Shay >  Rebellion,  II,  140,  268,  268. 
Shenf*-.  Geii,,  II,  391,  402,  509,  610, 

r>)3,  51.5. 
Shelby,  Cap,  L  aac.  in  bftitle,  I,  43. 
Shelby,  flanks  the  /A.4ian»,  f,  43. 
Shelby,  II,  100, 
Shell's  Busli.  II,  164  165. 
Shepard,  .AbrAftnm,  I,  421. 
Sherburne,  Major,  I,  154,  165,  156. 


INDEX. 


Sheridan,  II,  i>o8. 
Slieriiuui,  Jlogcr,  IT,  18-' 
Sl.envood,  Uapt.,  II,  197',  199, 
filicslieriKnii,  II,  217. 
Shew,  UodlVey.  I.  ;jU9. 
Shew,  Jacob,  II,  lyo.  ' 
Siew,  JdIii)  and  Suns,  i   309 
Shew,  John,  J.  i,  310     ' 

si'.T.ir""'-  '^1''",'  '■•  "'  69.  80,  104. 


625 


Soniigbsas  takes  the  warliell,  I,  15 
Sorcl,  expedilion  from,  I,  163 
Sorel,  II,  HIi,  88,  244,  203. 
Sortie  at  Fort  Schuyler,  I,  244,  245, 

South  Carolina,  I,  115,  137,  415. 
South  Carolina,  If,  53,  99,  202 
Southern  News,  II,  541. 
Sowosay,  II,  394. 


Shikellimus,  father'of  Login    i    38     sfT^T'  u' i?^' 

39.  ^ufeiin,  1,   aa,    ibhafford,  II.  6.    I,  288. 

"'  '  '        "  Spaniard,  speec'h  from,  II,  505 

Spanianl,  reply  to,  II,  507. 

Spaniards  in  Western  N.  Y.,  II,  586 


Shirley,  Gen.,  I,  57,  218 
Shoemaker,  a  loyali..t,  1,  255,   258 

Sidney   Lord,  II,  249,  252,  253,  255. 

Sierra  Lcono,  II,  524. 

Silliman,  Gen.,  I,  283. 

Nilver  Itlutr,  II,  142. 

Silver  lleols  niurdorod,  I,  41 

Singleton,  Lieut.,  I,  240,' 459. 

Siinooo.  Governor  I.  G  .  I    •>;!')    iv. 

;|;!7,338,340,341,342.1i4352: 
'!^>7,  .i04,  307,  309,  370,  374,  379 

Sinclair,  Gov.,  11,  381. 

Suiclar's  Defeat,  (app),  IT,  550,  551. 

niou.x,  II,  2. 

Siiz,  Peter,  I,  190,  191. 

^'■'  S '•'"•'>•  ^'  ''■"'  ^'''  ""'  °->  ^^' 
Six  Nations,  II,  S.Vj. 
Six  Mile  Island,  If,  502. 
Skanarady,  a  Cayuga,  I,  14. 
Skenandoali,  I,  407. 
Skeneateles  Lake,  I,  217. 
Sken^sborough,  I,  78,  104,  10,^,  202, 

Skenesborough,  II.  1.13,134,  201. 

Skele'on  with  armor,  II,  694~ 

Skinnci,  Mr.  II,  70. 

Slav(!s,  Indians  sold  as,  I   xv 

Small,  Gapt,,  H,  Joe,. 

Small  Pox,  I,  103,  104. 

Smidi,  Capt.,  I,  350. 

Smith,  Col.  II,  379,  4(;S. 

Smidi,  Hev.  Charles,  Jeffrey  I  2''  "3 

Smitli,  George,  II,  199  '  — .  -   • 

Smyth    Doctor,  II,  ].-,3',  1P7,  540. 

Snell,  Jacob,  I,  242. 

Snell,  Mr.,  II,  :V.n.' 

Snyder,   Isaac,  II,  00,  08. 

Snydur,  Jeremiah,  11,  00,  07. 

Snyder,  Lodwig,  I,  314. 

S'ic.  N'oilheiii  Aiiti(|uitifi«i,  11,1. 

Soilus.  .Settlement.-:,  II,  39] 

Solihoai.a,  (Col.  Francis),  f,  57,  95. 

Solly,  Mr.,  II,  531,527. 


588. 

Spanish   interference,   II.  289    ''9'' 
375,  370,  '  "  '' 

Speeches,  I,  author's  plan  of  giving 
x.xvi,  xxvii;  by  old  Nickus,  9^ 
1^  ;     by  Sir   William   Johnson, 
i}  ;  by  Cayuga  deputies,  14. 
Speech  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  I, 
lo;   Aroyhigadecka,  10;   Lo<ran. 
the  Mingo   Chief,  40;    remarks 
on  authenticity  of,    40,  47;   In- 
dian Chief  before  Congress,  58; 
Congress  to  Indians,  59;    Little 
Abraham,   71  ;   to  Oneida?    and 
reply,   82;    Col.   Francis  to  In- 
dians, 94,  90;  of  Kanagh.iuaesa, 
0., ;  of  Little  Abraham,  90. 
Speech  of  Tiahogwando,  I,  97,  101; 
Col.   Franci.s,   97;    of  Commiss- 
ioners,  98;    Seaghnagerat,    98; 
J-iiltle  Abraliani,   10l»,    102,   124 
131;   Cannjoharie  Indians'  113  •' 
Mr.    Ulec.ker,     121;    Mohawks 
to    Mr.     nieecker,     122;     Gen 
Schuyler,  128;    Indian  deputies 
in  Congress,  158;  Oneida  Chiefs 
to   Col     Elmore,    170;    Thomas 
Spencer,  an  Oneida.  iMO;  con- 
ddence   of    Oneidas    .answered, 

f,r-'„'  '^^'^•'°''  ^"'='•""1.  ^50;  (V,|. 
Willett,  251;  of  Oneidas,  300; 
of  Good  Peter,  407  ;  of  Col.  Van 
Schaick,  409. 
Speech  of  Seaghnager.at,  I,  432,  435  • 
of  Albany  Com'rs,  435,'  450^ 
4.i0,  4.)2;  Kanaghquaesa,  444, 
4i(>;  Litile  Abraham,  444,  455- 
Tiahogwando.  449;  (0  Gov' 
Ciinfon,  11,10:  Coo.  Clinfon  to 
Oneidas,  11;  of  Wyandot  Chief, 
4.i;  of  Delaware,  47,  49;  of 
Cornplanter,  127:  Indians  to 
Gajnelin,  293;  „f  Six  Nations, 
3-),  302;  of  Cats  Kyes  34'V 
34;);  by  l!nint,II,;M;(,;i.u,;j4o; 
-J-i,    304;   of    Carry-ono-about, 


'*'«^:'.?.  ■■  ^. 


626 


INDEX. 


3^^ 


848  ;  of  Wynnclofs,  348  ;  of  Wy- 
andot Chief,  ;i")0;  i)f  (jluiir  Sky, 
35'J,  370;  of  Cliippcwas  and 
otiiers  301;  of  Uolawares,  odl ; 
of  lied  .lacket,  ;i(i4 ;  of  Lord 
Dorchester,  ;iH7  ;  of  Kgouchouoy, 
II,  370;  of  Wyiiiidots  to  (Jov. 
Siincoe,  392  ;  Siincoe  to  Indians, 
3'J2 ;  of  Diiguoin,  421  ;  tenijiur- 
ance,  441,  442;  of  condolenec, 
450,  451 ;  from  Spaniards,  375, 
378,  505  ;  IJnint.  39. 

Spencer,  Lieut.,  11,  107,  109,  113. 

Spencer,  Thomas,  an  Indian,  I, 
200,  210,  210,  217. 

Spencer,  Thomas,  \\\i'\g  orator,  I,  50. 

Spirits  among  Indians,  pernicious 
etfecls  of,  I,  11. 

Sporr  Knsign,  T,  225. 

Springfield,  I.  312. 

Sprinjrtiold,  11,  5,  100. 

Squiighkies,  II,  4. 

Siiuavv  Run,  II,  501. 

Stacey,  Col.  I,  380,  387. 

Stacia,  Lt.  Col.,  I,  372,  374, 

Staving,  Mr.,  I,  303. 

Starke,  Gen.,  I,  232,  205,  302,  358, 
308. 

Stark,  Gen.,  II,  178,  183,  19G,  197, 
203. 

Starks,  Gen.,  II,  541. 

Staten  Island,  I,  197. 

Steedman,  Wm.,  II,  313. 

Sieel,  Capt.,  II,  83,  91. 

Sternberg,  Lambert,  I,  316. 

Sternberg,  Nicholas,  I,  314,  315, 
310,  317. 

Steuben,  liaron.  If,  193,  263. 

Stevens,  Mr.,  II.  73, 

Steuart,  Alex.,  II,  573. 

Stewart,  Charles,  I,  324,  32G,  327, 

Stewart,  Lazarus,  I,  325,  320. 

Steuart,  Rev.  Mr,.  I,  19,  21,  20,  27, 
28,  101,  147,  148,  189,  447. 

Stewart,  Rev.  Dr.,  II,  287,  523. 

Stillwater,  I,  207,  208,  300. 

Stillwater,  II,  147. 

Stirling,  Lord,  I,  170. 

Stirling,  Lord,  II,  178, 188,  ]06,  197, 
203. 

Stock  bridge  Indians,  I,  50,  5",  58, 
59,  61,  02,  03,  172,  234,  254,  257. 

Stockbridgew,   If,  231,  307,  427,  480 

Stone  Aral)ia,  I.  52,  409, 

Stone  Arabia,  II,  115,  118,  125,  130, 
100,  189. 

S«*«ey  Point,   i,  280. 

8(«D£y  Point,  II,  52. 


'  Straclian,  Dr.,  Notice  of  Branf.  by, 

1.  2. 
Straiiahan,  Col.,  11,  504,    508,  514, 

523. 
Strntton,  Wm.,  II,  570. 
Siratton.  Lt.,   11,  573. 
.Stringer,  Samuel,  1,  98,  432. 
Siroudsliurg,  I,  340. 
Stuart,  Capt.,  I,  193. 
Stuart,  Sir  Charles,  II,  250,  598. 
Sugar  Hill,  defence  of,  I,  290,  201. 
SuUiichgook,ll,  377. 
Sullivan,   (Jen.,    I,    xxiii,    103,    179, 

341,  342,  340,  347,411,  422. 
Sullivan,  II,  1,  4,  5,  0,  7,  12,  13,  10, 

17,  18,  19,  20,  21,23,  24,  25,20 

27,  28,  29,  31,  32,  33,  35,  3(i,  37, 

38,  39,  40,  41,   42,    54,  GO,  01, 

105,  140,  238,  400. 
Sumner,  Benjamin,  II,  470. 
Sumter,  Gen.,  II,  100,  450. 
Sunliury,  I,  421. 
Sunbury,  II,  13. 
Surrender  of  Durgoyne,  1,  270 
Susqueliar.na,   I,  312,  322,  323,  324, 

332,  350,  357,  358. 
Susquehanna,  II,  05,  100,  159,  217. 
Sutton,  Mr.,  II,  552. 
Swan  Creek,  II,  391. 
Swart wout,  Capt.  Abraliam,  I,  234, 

359. 
Swegachy,  I,  8. 

Swoid  voted  to  Col.  Willett,  I,  246. 
Sylvester,  Francis,  I,  370. 
Syter,  Capt.  G.".).,  II,  39,  540. 
Tadeuskund,  I,  323. 
Toliaddy,  a  Chief  stopped  by  French, 

1,0. 
Taicarihogo,  alias  Nickus  Ilanoe,  I, 

17. 
Talbot,  Thomas,  II,  376. 
Tarleton,  Gen.,  II,  99,  100,  142. 
Tarrawarrix,  a  Seneca,  I,   12. 
Tayler,  John,  1,  sxi,  145  288,  289, 

290,  347. 
Tchaosennoghts,  II,  421. 
Teghsitaasgowa,  II,  576. 
Tehoseroron,  II,  244, 
Tehowngliwengaraglikwin,   I,  3,   18, 
Tekaenyongh,  II,  570. 
Tekaharawa  falls,  I,  190. 
Tekahentakwa,  II,  570, 
Tekarihokcn,  II,  575, 
Tekarihogea,  II,  500,  601,  537. 
Tekeyanedonhotte,    Col.   Elmore,  I, 

176. 
Ten  Broeck,  Gen.,  I,  123. 
Ten  Eyck,  Col.,  I,  173. 


INDEX. 


Tenmy.  fHiovalipr,  ir,  09. 

Teir.v,  TliiiiiiuN,  I,  !i;)M. 
T.Mijrl.M.n'iiKMntt,  aCiiviiBft,  I.  14 
l_<!>">iiliiKl.kuii,  II,  r,si. 
TeyriniiiJioldiiJiwiMi.  II,  2.".8,  2SS  404 
•1K.H7.  U;).4'J,-,,,tj,)  .lo;'^!;*' 

^„    4-..r.77.r.7H.  r.7!;.r,Hi;.      '  ^^' 

•"'■"'l'«Kivin«i|iiiicc,  I,  ;JH8 
i'liiinliKhMviiiK,  II,  -1)1, 

riiiioHc.iin<.n(flii,iii,  II.  r,7(j. 
TliiiiinlnvoKiii,  Il.;!;i7,  ;i;j8. 

TliavvcyMif,.iii';i(,  II,  Wr,. 
Tliiiyoiii|.nH.(;..,t,  HiKiilHcft(if,n  of,  I   1 
ilmyeiHliuu^H.m.  (m-.t  liianl),  I 
i  101.1,1.,  (Jcncml,  1,  WW,  loj,  103. 

lll()lll]iKiil|,  (|,.„  ,   I,    ],;;•_ 

ThonipHoii,  .(i)liii,  I,  .'jn;' 
ThomiiHoii'H,  lUCioriimii  Fiatis,  I,  72, 

Thoi-j),  Kzi'ii,  II,  r,i), 

Thdi'ii,  llunr.v,  11.  ',1). 

Tli<)i])o,  .Uul'i^,,,  II,  r,HO. 

Thorwalil.  ||,  .)H7.  :,!)(),  G91. 

Tiiieo  iNJiifulN,  I,  ;i!(2. 

Throe  lUvocN,  ((;,irm(la).  I,  117,  404. 

1  hreoKivm'H,  N,  Y..  f.  lilO,  220 

Throop,  Col,  ,j„H„,,|,.  II,  t,i,\,  r,47 

liahoKwan.lo,  Hi.«««h  „f,  i,  95,  97 
I'H,  4-l!l. 

Tice,  Cftpt,  Qllbort,  I.  R(;o,  150,  1,57. 

licon.  oro^ii,  I,  7,  78,  102,  108,  173, 
1)/.  1^00,201.202,209,210,211 
2...^2y>.    202,    200.   270,-292: 

TicomleroKa,  ir.  Rl,  133,  150,  151, 

W.15„,  178,181,  201,203,  204 
<i  14.  ' 

Tieliout,  Capt.  Mfinry,  If,  540. 

TienLlernKo,    pf«i)nratioiis   for  scout 
to,  1,  15, 

Tiffany,  (iidaon,  It,  474. 

Tiger  River,  [I,  loo, 

Timniermaii,  .Jauolt,  I,  241. 

Tiinmormaii,  .laool),  H,  215 

Tioga,  I,  31!  1,  ;i7o,  ;i72,  37R,  392,  421 

Tioga,  II.  5,  12,   13.    |8,  22,  23.  26 

^.     17,  30.  37,  G9.  105.100.'  ' 

Titoonib,  Mnjor,  |I   22. 

Tiverro)>,  I,  ;(.J0, 

Tizederoiiaeron,'    Mr     Bioeoker,    I, 

Todd,  Col,  ir,  210. 
Tonihanio,   II.  |7;j, 
T.imliii,  ,11.  Miir4*r».l.  T,  ,39  40 
lompkiriB.  (].,»,  II.  -,02.  503. 
Toronto,  II,  aai,  01«,  52r, 


627 


I  Torture  at  Wyoming,  I,  338. 
Tjtems,  Imlian,  H,  355,  394. 
Toiu-i,  md  Crusslield's  I'urciiase,  11. 
570.  ' 

Townscnd,  Roliort.  I,  418,  421. 

TilWSOIl.    II,   51l>_  ,5];> 

Tracy,  K|iliriiini'.  II,  212. 
Tracy,  Uri,  H,  212. 
Trade,  Indinri,  I,  0. 
Treaties,  I,  .):!i),  452,  450. 
Treaties,  II,  243,  244,  202. 
Trenton,  Battle  of,  I,' 1747 175 
Tribes  ^of  Indians,   how  designated, 

i,  .J. 
Trig-,  Col.,  II,  21(5 
Tripes  Hill,  II,  73,  187 
•"'•oy.  I,  470. 

Tniem.in.  Major,  11,  331,  332. 
J  riinibull,  ('ol.  John,  I,  105,  200  347 

Trumbull,  Gov.,  I,  02,  234.  242*286' 
227  ■    '      >        I  «.^^,  ^uu, 

Trumbull,  Gov.,  II,  543. 
Tryon  Co.,  I,  xx,  xxi,  xxxiii.  51,  52, 
03,  04,  00.  07,  70,  72,  74,   105 
100,  1:23,140,  107,  108,  177.  211' 
212,213,214,242  253  250  20I; 
283,  424,  425,  403. 
Iryon  Co.,  name  ihanged,  II,  236 
Iryon,  Gov.,  II,  52,  180. 
Tsinonwanhonte,  II,  xli. 
Tsklelele,  I,  454. 
Tubbs,  John,  II,  177. 
Tnlk,  C.  A.,  II,  527. 
Tiinadilly,  I,  180. 
Tapper,  Col.,  I,  181. 
Turiock,  I,  354. 
Turlock,  II,  157. 
Turner,  Capt.,  II,  493. 
Tuscarora,  J,  351,  396. 
Tuscaroras    I.  80,  80,  87,  297,  305, 
306,    300,    306,    307,   401,   402 
408,  409,  453. 
Tuscaroras,  11,  3,  4,  11,  38,  103, 104 
105,  242,  244,  422.  ' 

Tustans.  II,  295, 
Tusten,  Benj.  Jr.,  I,  421 
Tusten,  Dr.  I,  415,  410,  418. 
Iwightwees,      [Miamis,]     Message 

from,  I,  6.  ^ 

Twitchtwoes,  JI,  208. 
!  Twithways,  II,  ;!.,!• 
''yler,  Cnpt.  Robf.,  I,  416   401 

iITl„i.  f.  .  )»»»»v./j    ^•■i. 

Lllster,  hontiers.  I,  414 
jUlRtiirCo.,  II,  i-;;. 
Una.mia,  I,  178,180,  181,182,183, 

214,291.297,310.312.31.3  341 
3^-4.  866,  308,  876,  403. 
Inadilla.  II,  '7. 

I'pper  Mohawk  Castle,  11,  431 


628 


INDEX. 


Ulicn.  Site  of,  T,  2^.^, 

Viiil,  r.ipl.  lienj.,  I,  418,  421. 

A'ail,   Gilbert.  I,  421. 

Valley  I'orgo,  I,  280,  297,  301. 

Van  Allen,  11,  120. 

A'an  ]?ensclioteii.  Captain,  I,  234. 

■\'an  liensclioteii,  Major,  II,  122. 

Van  Conrllandt,   Col.  Philip,  I,  414. 

Van  t'onrtlandt,  Col.  II,  5,  37,  143, 

4(;(),  540. 
Van  ("ortlandt,  Pierre,  1,  213. 
Van    Uensen,    James,    II,   129,   134, 

isr,. 
Van  hyvk,  Col.,  I,  400,  401. 
Van  Kps,  II,  ll'l,  121,  124. 
Van  llovne,  Abraham,  on  committee, 

1,  73. 
Van  IJensselaer,  Col.  Henry,  II,  1G8, 

174,  184,   18o. 
Van  lleiisselaer,  Henry  K.,  II,  205, 

201),  207. 
Van  Renssebier,  .Tereminli,  I,  98,  432. 
Van  llenssolaer,  Col.  John,  II,  205, 

200,  540. 
Van  Hcnsselaer,  Capt.  Peter,  II,  192, 

183. 
Van  Ecnsselaer,  Col.  Robert,  I,  212 
Van    Rensselaer,    Gen.    Robert,    II, 

115,    119,    120,    121,    122,    123, 

124,  125,  126,  200. 
Van  Rensselaer,    Col.    Solomon,   II, 

380,  501,  502,  503,  504,  505,  506, 
Van   Rensselaer,   Gen.   Stephen,   II, 

502,  503,  507,  510. 
Van  Schaick,  Col.,  1,  163,  168,  181, 

214,    362,    403,    404,   406,   406, 

407,  409,  411. 
Van  Schaick,  Col.,  II,   12,  81.  130, 

131,  238,  542. 
Van  Sluvck,  Major,  1,  72,  236,  242, 
Van  Sluyck,  II,  81. 
Van  Vegliten,  Anthony  on  Commit- 
tee, I,  72. 
Van  Vechten,  Col.  II,  146, 
Van  Vrank,  MaJ.,  II,  74. 
Vark-k,   ('o\.    Richard,    I,  123,  279, 

3.')4.  olO,  300,  413, 
Varick,  Col.  Richard,  II.  2W,  410. 
Vamlreusl,  Arnold  at,  1,  1.J4. 
A  nndreuil,  \Jde.,  H,  103. 
Vatiphan,  General,  I.  282. 
Vecder,  Abraham,  II,  80. 
Veeder,  John.  I,  52. 
Veeder,  Volkert,  I.  73. 
Veeder.  C.il.  Volkort,  II,  81,  l.»S>. 
VennnB",  II,  41.  147.  303,  3fi.\   .371, 

372.  374.  377. 
Vermont  Coiiirover.sy,  II,  152,  153. 

178,  1.79,  180,  181,  182,  183,  184, 


197,  198,  200,  201,  202,  203,  204, 

205,  206,  207,  208,  542. 
Vernon,  Maj.,  1,  399. 
Versailles,  Treaty  of,  1,  298,  299. 
V  inland,  11,591, 
Virginia,  I,  37,  44,  116,  119. 
Virginia,  II,  193,  194. 
Visscher,  Col.  Frederick,  I,  233,  236, 

242. 
Visscher.  Col.  Fred'k,  II,  73,  74,  76 
Visscher,  Harmanus,  II,  74. 
Visscher,  John,  II,  74. 
Visscher,  Wm.  Brower,  II,  "St. 
Vrooman,  Col.,  I,  354,  355. 
Vrooman,  Hartliolomew,  II,  112, 
Vrooman,  Rurlholomew  Jr.,  II,  112 
Vrooman,  Capt.,  II,  124. 
Vrooman,  Col.,  II,  50. 
Vrooman,  Kphraim,  II,  112,  113. 
Vrooman,  John  II,  112,  113. 
A'roonian,  Josias,  II,  112. 
Vrooman,  Martin,  11,  113. 
Vrooman,  Simon,  II,  112. 
Vrooman,  Tunis,  II,    112. 
Vrooman,  II,  (;4,  124,  108. 
AVabash,  I,  400. 
Wabash,  II,    45,  46,  243,   265,  291, 

294,  307,  478. 
Wabingas,  I,  56. 

Wadsworth,  Gen.,  II,  508,  510,  511 
Waggoner,  Joneph,  I,  184,  185. 
Waggoner,  Peter,  I,  72,  410. 
Wall,  Edw  lui,  I,  72,  74,  81. 
Wall,  Mrs.,  I,  385. 
Wallace,  Wm.,  II,  220. 
Walradt,  Henry,  I,  242. 
Walter,  George,  I,  234,  240. 
Waltermeyer,  John,  II,  172,  174, 176, 

170,  177,  210,  211,  212. 
Wanton  Island,  tradition  of  battle,  I, 

57. 
Waorighonti,  II,  575, 
Ward,  John,  II,  177, 
Warner,  Col.  Seth,  I,  78,  112. 
Warner,  Col.  Seth,  II,  129,  134,  181. 
Warren,  Col.,  II,  5.34. 
Warren,  Joseph,  eloquence  of,  I,  30. 
W.-iren,  Sir  Pfter,  II,  186. 
Warrensbush,  II,  186. 
Warren,  town  of,  I,  362,  363. 
Warraghiyaghy,    see    Johnson,    Sir 

Wm,  I. 
W*rwick,  I,  4!i'A. 
Warwick,  Karl  of,  I,  151,  322. 
Warwick,  Karl  of,  II,  251, 
Washington,  Gen.  George,  I.  91,  115, 

149,  157,  l.V.t,  161,  10,'j,  KiO,  170, 

173,  17*.  175,  196,  197.  202,  266, 

267,  284,  285,  286,  .t)l,  303,  333, 


INDEX 


629 


''•^'^,  ^K  nil,  .Ti,-,,  p..u\  300 

Wiisliingtou,  (Joii.,  II,  1,  .(  1;.,  17 
'•i'K  4(1,  41,  42,  its,  itii,  101  ]()■>' 
lO;!,  104,  KC,  111,  i;;.s,  ii|  n./ 
1><',  l.'.T,  111},  211,  2;i.-),  242  24.-) 
i22'i. -«l.:-il.;j|.-,,;ii;u,;i(i8;;i0!),' 
.  H>.  :!7(l,  'ATH,  JJ85,  880,  aito, 
41/,  541. 

Wa.sl,i„gt,j„,  John  Augusline,  ],  172,  ! 

Wiitcrl)uvy,  Gen.,  II,  211 
Wiitcrfonl,  I,  .170. 
Watson,  James,  II,  410. 
Watts,  John,  I,  170,  2:i7   243 
Watts,  ^Maj or,  I.  220,  2;J5,  237,  242, 

Wawar.sing,  I,  414. 

Wawui'sing,  II,  17,"  18,  65,  169. 

»Va.\!iaws,  II,  90. 

Wayne,   Gen.  Anthony,    II,    51     5'^ 

138.1;!0,14tU4i:214,'233,'312; 

^^;>'^^':''^2.B4o,347,3o7   377: 

iV,'  Qo  •  of^'  ^^^'  2«'''  390  391, 
302,  303.  39;-,,  420,  502 

"eeks,  Mr.  It.  580. 
Weiscnfeldts,  Col.,  H,  135, 
WeiNer,  Conrad,  II,  451 
Wehl,  Mr..  II,  490,  526,  598. 
Wells,  Jano,  I,  387. 
W'ells,  John,  I,  373,  379. 
Wells,  John,  II,  ;J83,  459 
Wells,  Robert,  I.  168,  173,  174,    372 
;i73,  380,  381.  '     '*>'"-' 

Welsh,  Pioneers,  II,  487 
Welsh  Triads,  II,  488. 
Wemple,  Col.,  II.  97. 
Weinys,  Major,  II,  100. 
Weniz,  Geoige.  on  committee,  I,  73 
Wes.son,  Col.,  I,  214. 
West  Canada  oreek,  I,  3G3 
"*^<'^'^,j*:''^nada,    creek,    II, '190,   191, 

West,  Rev.  Mr.,  IT,  530. 
W'cstern,  Indian  rear,  II   29'' 
W'esthani,  II,  142,  '  "  "' 

Westmoreland  Co  ,  Pa     T   3'>8 
Weston,  Col.,  I,  229,  255.' 
Westover,  II,  141. 
West  Point,  II,  101,  10" 
Wheeling,  I,  39. 
Wheeling,  II,  208,  232  488 
Wheebck    Rev.  E,  I,  4,' 21,  ^'2,  23,  24, 

Whcelock,  James,  IT,  436.  470    471 

474,  470,  477,  478. 
Wheelock,  John,   II,  408,   470,   473, 

''"^S'48S:^9."'  ''''  ''''  '''' 


Whcelock,  Rev,  Ralph,  I,  25. 
White,  Hhoriir  Alexander,  I,  106,  107, 

White  Crock,  IF,  1,50. 

White,  Kpetii'tus,  II,  212 

Wliito  lOyes,  I,  118,  149,348,349. 

UhitoKyes,  II,  44. 

Wliite,  Col.  Jului,  II,  52,  53. 

\Vhiie.  Mr.,   II,  435. 

While  IMains,  I.  172,  346,  361,  362. 

>>  lutestown,  I.  233. 

Wilkcsbano,  I,  328. 

Wilkinson,  Jemima,"  II,  490,  497 

Wilkinson,  Gen..    I,    206,   208    "69 

,„.,,-"l'-"--^73,  276,  277,  278."     ' 

Wilkinson,    General,    II,    326,   307 

330,  380. 
Willard,  Pros.  Joseph,  II,  287. 
Willett,    Col.   Marinus,    I.   •'•>k    oor, 
^,    228,    229,    234,'  23";5,'  242,' 
244,  245,  240,  247,  249,  25)  "51 
^52,  253,  25 1,255:  256;  257;  i45: 


357,  362,  405,  407 
Willett,  Col.  Marinus,  11,  6,  80,  155 
150,  l.J8,  159,  100,  101,  103,  186 
187,  188,  180,  190  lor,  19'  196 
21o,233,234;235:305:5i6;33S: 

wi!l;:;;;;.'^,i'"i;'!iiir^"'^'"-^- 

Williams,  William,  I,  200 

WiUiamsbnrgh,  I,  194,  353. 

Williamson,  Col.  David  11  ""0  "01 
j^22.  223,  224,  225,  22o',  2^";  2^8 
229,230,231.  '        ' 

Williamson,  Capt.,  II,  99,  130,  391, 

Willoe,  Capt.,  I,  469. 
Willstown,  II,  260. 
Wilson,  Capt.,  I,  243. 

Wilson  Col.,  remarks  on  Cornstock. 
I,  4o.  ' 

Wilson,  Rev.  Dr.,  I,  418,  419. 
Winder,  Gen.,  II,  516, 
Wingemund,  II,  228. 
Winn,  Capt.,  I,  168. 
Winofiski,  II,  80. 
Wisner,  Lt.  Co.  Gabriel,  I,  418,420, 

Wisner,  Col.,  II.  491. 
Witbeek,  Mr,,  II,  456. 
Wither's  Chronicles,  II  "3" 

w2Mr"S"'"''^''''- 
Wood,  C  nt.  John,  I,  421. 
Wol' !,  X,      uhn,  I,  421. 
Wood,    ,|     -,r,  I,  419. 
Woodlnv  Capt.,  I,  315.316,317. 
Wood  C,   ,  I<,  1,  8,  209,  210.  221  ""4 
i202,  404,  405.  '        '       ' 


630 


INDEX. 


WoodliiiH,  non,  T,  112,  170,  283. 
Woiiilriid',  lliinldkn,  II,  64(1. 
AVuoiliiid;   Hiiiniicl,  I,    lilO,  244,  419 

47.'.,  4m;i,  r.iir,. 
Woodniir,  .Hamiiul,  II,  304,  446,  449, 

4(17, 
Wnoiiruff.  Wrn..  H,"  484,  485,  488. 
AVoiMlndick,  I,  414. 
Wo,p,|w(,r(li.  Ndliiiiion,  I,  300 
Woo.lvyoidi.  Hdlomnn,  II,  08,  09,  1G3, 

Wool,  Ciipt.,  II,  r,()(;.  507^  jq;^ 
AVoln,(,  oiiv.T,  I,  !i;!,  4M(),  431,  435. 
JV<),pIh(7,  Major,  11,  107,  lO'j. 
WcjdMK'r,  0(!M.  I,  1(12. 
Women,    Itiiliim,    address  Sir.  Wm. 

lollllMnli,   I,  10. 
Woiiinvoi.d,  |,i,.||(.  killed,  I,  190,  191, 
WoriMWooil,  |,t,  II,  (III, 
WyiiiiddlH  under  Logun,  I,  42. 
WyiiliiHin;{,    II,  217. 
W^'iindofN,  II,  4;i,  218,  210,  221,  224, 
1^-'.'.,  2()(i,  207,  270,  2M(),28,-,',.^'i(i,' 

317,  ;ilH.  ;;iii.  ;;.■,(»,  ;!.w,;{(ii,;j72. 

37(1,  3H0,  3«7,  ;",10,  3;t2,  393,  505, 

r)(i7. 

Wyatt,  Mr.,  J!,  t  ■• .   (29, 
WyllyM,  Mil,;.-      ;,  ■."i.i. 
WympluH,  l'.,..Ki.  It.  74. 

Wynkooi.,  Coi.,  ii,  aio. 


Wyoming,  T,  101,  103,  288,  31.3,  318, 
Sl'.i,  320,  322,-330,  331,342,  3.-)(), 
354,  300,  374,  379,  381,  383,  885, 
391,  422,  449. 
Wyoming,  II,  12,  13.  18,  20,  29,  34, 
37,  05,  341,  483,  523,  525,  527, 
698,  599,  002. 
Vatos,  Abraham,  1,  432. 

Yates,  Abraham,  Jr.,  I,  433. 

Yates,  (Jol.  Christopher  P,  I,  85,  "2. 
73,   108. 

Yates,  Giles  F.,  II,  112,  113,  115. 

Yates,  Col.  Peter,  II,  205,  200,  207. 

Yates,  Peter  W.,  II,  609. 

Yates,  Robert,  I,  137. 

Ylagers  Gornmn,  II,  105,  121,  186. 

Yaghroonwii;ro,  II,  42. 

Yoghstathengh,  II,  570. 

Yorii,  II,  350,  510,  519, 

Yorklowii,  I,  300,  301. 

Yorktowii.  H,  104,  lH',  202. 

Vangoyawallmw,  II,  415. 

Young,  Mr.  1,  .{00. 

Young's  Set  dement,  I,  303. 

Younglovo,  Moses,  I,  240,  241,  242. 
459.  ' 

Yung.  Michael,  II,  217. 

Zeisberger,  David,  II,  217. 

Zinzendorf,  Count,  I,  38,  319,  ?2l. 
322. 


